should I call the emergency number?
September 3, 2022 6:08 AM   Subscribe

I'm on vacation in a private owned condo. The hot water went out late last night. Does this warrant a call to their emergency number or do I wait 2 more hours until their regular office is open?

It went out late last night so I couldn't take my hot shower :( Got up this morning and still no hot water. Regular office opens in 2 more hours. Thoughts?
posted by Saucywench to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)
 
I would wait. I would consider a water emergency to be:
* No water.
* Toilet not working.
* Leak anywhere.
posted by NotLost at 6:22 AM on September 3, 2022 [18 favorites]


(In the meantime if you’re able to check a circuit breaker, I’d do that)
posted by raccoon409 at 6:34 AM on September 3, 2022 [3 favorites]


I think it's probably not an emergency, but if you have plans for the day that you'd like to go do (and you need to shower beforehand), it wouldn't be wildly unreasonable to call the emergency number and ask if there's any possible quick fix (i.e. the circuit breaker).
posted by goodbyewaffles at 7:22 AM on September 3, 2022 [1 favorite]


I agree with the people who are saying it's not an emergency and for their reasons, but I'll also add that (in my opinion) the fact that they'll be open in two hours is another reason it's not an emergency. If the emergency number were the only way to get help all weekend, I'd call it.
posted by likedoomsday at 7:33 AM on September 3, 2022 [19 favorites]


I would call the number if I had plans & couldn't wait around 2 hours. It would either be that or go shower at a gym & give them the receipt. You're on vacation & paying a lot of money.
posted by bleep at 7:35 AM on September 3, 2022 [1 favorite]


If this was in your own apartment I'd wait until regular hours. But you are on vacation, likely paying a decent nightly rate for the place and hot water being out is a real hassle. I'd call it in as an emergency and see if they can't get it fixed expeditiously.
posted by Dip Flash at 8:13 AM on September 3, 2022 [5 favorites]


The non-emergency office is probably open now but FWIW I doubt calling the emergency line would solve the problem any faster than waiting.
posted by mskyle at 8:16 AM on September 3, 2022 [2 favorites]


I'd wait since it's an office that does open on a Saturday and I don't know where you are/what time it is or if you would be waking someone unreasonably early. (But if there was no office opening in 2 hours, then I'd say call the emergency line.) Also, unless you are completely covered in something terrible, it probably won't kill you to go without a hot shower for a few more hours. NotLost's list of what IS an emergency is what covers it. Not getting a hot shower when you want it won't kill you or turn the place into a biohazard.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:21 AM on September 3, 2022 [1 favorite]


Is it an emergency to you? You'll report it, a handyperson will have to be called in, there will be travel time and repair time. For on-call workers, it can be nice to get calls out of the way earlier in the day. It's not unreasonable to say that no hot water is an emergency, but either way, your shower may be quite delayed.

If you can find the electrical panel, checking breakers is a great idea.

Meanwhile, heat water in the biggest pans. Stand on a towel. Mix cool and hot water to your comfort and wash with a washcloth. You can wash your hair and rinse by leaning over the sink,. It doesn't feel as good as a shower, but it gets you clean if you want to be somewhere. Sorry if this is redundant for you.
posted by theora55 at 8:53 AM on September 3, 2022


Nah, there’s an easy workaround for you. Wait for the office.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 9:10 AM on September 3, 2022


Is there a water heater in the unit, or is the building on a boiler? Basically, is this issue confined to the condo you're in, or something the building would need to fix? If the latter, is there any communication from the building about the issue (e.g., in my building, there would be a notice in the elevator and in the lobby that they'd called XYZ company, and ETA of the fix is whatever o'clock, or that it has been fixed but the boiler is still heating up).
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 9:15 AM on September 3, 2022


For me this would entirely depend how how expensive the rental is.
posted by cakelite at 10:13 AM on September 3, 2022 [2 favorites]


Do you know why the hot water heater went out? I don’t consider hot water being out to be an emergency, but two reasons I’ve had it go out actually are emergencies:
- Bottom if the hot water heater tank rusted out, pouring gallons of water onto the ground
- Pilot light to a gas heater is out
posted by A Blue Moon at 11:22 AM on September 3, 2022 [2 favorites]


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