At 3 a.m., a burst pipe floods your basement. Sunday afternoon, your sewer line backs up into the house. Midnight on Christmas Eve, your water heater fails in subfreezing temperatures. Plumbing emergencies ignore your calendar, your work schedule, and every plan you’ve carefully made.
When disaster strikes your Ephrata home—whether you’re near the Green Dragon Market or in one of the neighborhoods around Cocalico Creek—you need a plumber who answers the phone, shows up fast, and solves the problem right.
Groff’s Home Comfort Team has provided 24/7 emergency plumbing service to Lancaster County families since 1987. Our licensed plumbers don’t just temporarily patch issues. We stop the damage, fix what’s broken, and help you protect against future emergencies.
Burst Pipes and Major Leaks
Frozen pipes can burst without warning, aging copper can corrode overnight, and water pressure spikes can rupture connections—every minute counts when water pours into your home. Our emergency plumbers arrive quickly, shut off the water, assess the damage, and make immediate repairs to prevent destruction from spreading to floors, walls, and belongings.
Sewer Line Backups
Raw sewage backing up into your home creates an urgent health hazard and an unbearable situation. We respond quickly with professional-grade equipment to clear severe blockages, whether caused by tree roots, collapsed pipes, or massive clogs. Video inspection technology allows us to see exactly what’s happening in your sewer line, enabling us to implement the right solution immediately.
Complete Water Heater Failures
No hot water in freezing weather isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s potentially dangerous, especially for families with young children or elderly members. Our emergency technicians quickly diagnose water heater failures and either restore your existing unit or arrange a same-day replacement when repair isn’t viable. We stock standard parts on our trucks to handle most water heater repairs without delay.
Overflowing Toilets and Fixtures
A toilet that won’t stop running water across your bathroom floor creates immediate damage and panic. We clear severe clogs, repair broken flush mechanisms, and address supply line failures that cause fixtures to overflow. Our plumbers arrive equipped to handle whatever’s causing the problem.
Gas Line Leaks
If you smell gas, evacuate immediately and call from a safe location outside your home. Gas leaks require emergency response from trained professionals. Our licensed plumbers possess the expertise and necessary equipment to locate leaks, perform safe repairs, and restore your system without compromising your family’s safety.
Real 24/7 Availability
Our emergency line connects you directly to a live representative who dispatches a licensed plumber to your location—not an automated answering service that takes messages. We’re available every hour of every day, including holidays, because plumbing disasters don’t take breaks.
Rapid Response Times
Living in the Ephrata area ourselves, our plumbers are familiar with these neighborhoods and can reach you quickly. We understand that every minute of delay means more water damage, more stress, and higher repair costs.
Fully Equipped Service Vehicles
Our trucks carry extensive inventories of parts, professional tools, and specialized equipment. That means we can complete most emergency repairs on the first visit rather than leaving you without water while we order parts.
Honest Emergency Pricing
Emergencies are stressful enough without worrying about hidden fees. We provide upfront pricing before starting work, even during after-hours calls. You’ll know exactly what the repair costs before we begin.
Solutions-Focused Technicians
Our plumbers don’t work on commission, so they have zero incentive to oversell or recommend unnecessary services during your emergency. They focus entirely on stopping the immediate problem and preventing further damage. If a temporary fix makes sense until you can schedule a permanent solution during regular business hours, they’ll let you know.
Shut Off the Water: Know the location of your main water shutoff valve before an emergency occurs. For localized problems, turn off the fixture valve. For significant issues, shut off the water at the main.
Call Professional Help Immediately: The longer you wait, the more damage occurs. Contact Groff’s emergency plumbing team right away rather than attempting complex DIY repairs that could worsen the situation.
Document the Damage: Take photos for insurance purposes once the immediate danger has passed. This documentation assists with claims and serves as a record of what occurred.
Protect Your Belongings: Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from water if it’s safe to do so. Place towels or buckets to contain leaks you can’t immediately stop.
Never Use Chemical Drain Cleaners: During drain emergencies, harsh chemicals can damage pipes, create dangerous fumes, and complicate professional repairs. Wait for our plumbers to handle the blockage properly.
Regular maintenance dramatically reduces emergencies. Insulate exposed pipes before winter. Schedule annual inspections of water heaters and major fixtures. Be aware of the age of your plumbing components and address minor issues before they escalate into more serious failures.
Homeowners throughout Ephrata—from historic properties downtown to newer developments along Route 272—trust Groff’s when plumbing emergencies strike because we’ve consistently delivered honest service and reliable solutions since 1987. Our family-owned company treats your crisis with the urgency it deserves and your home with the respect it requires.
What qualifies as a plumbing emergency?
Any plumbing issue that causes active water damage, creates health hazards, or leaves you without essential services qualifies as an emergency. This includes burst pipes, sewer backups, gas leaks, major water heater failures in winter, and overflowing fixtures. If the problem poses an immediate risk to your property or safety, don’t wait—call for emergency service right away.
How quickly can emergency plumbers arrive in Ephrata?
Response times vary based on your location and current call volume, but Groff’s prioritizes rapid dispatch for genuine emergencies. Our plumbers live and work in Lancaster County, allowing faster response than companies based farther away. We’ll give you an honest estimated arrival time when you call and keep you updated if circumstances change.
Do emergency plumbing services cost more than regular repairs?
Emergency plumbing typically involves after-hours service fees and urgent response charges that exceed standard rates. However, Groff’s provides transparent pricing upfront so you understand costs before authorizing work. Consider that delaying emergency repairs often results in far more expensive water damage, making immediate professional service the more economical choice.
Should I shut off my main water valve in case of an emergency?
Yes, shutting off your main water valve stops water flow throughout your home and prevents further damage during major leaks or burst pipes. Every homeowner should know the location of the valve before an emergency occurs. For isolated problems affecting a single fixture, you can often shut off just that fixture’s supply valve instead of the main line.
Can burst pipe damage be prevented in winter?
Absolutely. Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas, such as crawlspaces, attics, and garages. During extreme cold, let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air circulation. Keep your home heated to at least 55°F even when away. These preventive measures significantly reduce freeze-related pipe failures and costly emergency repairs.
Plumbing disasters demand immediate professional response. Groff’s Home Comfort Team brings nearly four decades of emergency service experience to Ephrata homeowners who need help now. Our licensed plumbers arrive equipped to prevent damage, resolve issues, and restore your home’s functionality—day or night, including weekends and holidays.
