Which plumbing problems are emergencies
Some plumbing problems are emergencies — like no running water, a burst pipe, a sewage backup, or a gas leak — that a landlord must address right away, often through emergency maintenance. Others, like a slow drip, are urgent but not emergencies.
The difference is usually about safety and whether the home is still usable. Losing all water, active flooding, sewage backing up, or a gas smell cannot wait days and call for an immediate response, day or night. A dripping faucet or a single slow drain should still be fixed promptly, but does not carry the same urgency.
Many landlords keep an emergency-maintenance line for the serious situations. If you are facing a plumbing emergency, report it that way and note the time. If your landlord ignores a true plumbing emergency, a free review can help you understand your options.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.