Pro Services Boston · Condo boards & Landlords
A burst pipe at 11pm, no heat during a January cold snap, a breaker that won't reset — these don't wait for business hours. What actually matters in the first hour is knowing what's genuinely an emergency, what to do before help arrives, and who to call.
What actually counts as an emergency
- Active water damage. Burst or leaking pipes, an overflowing appliance, a flooding unit.
- No heat in freezing weather. A Boston winter without heat can freeze pipes within hours — this escalates fast.
- Total power loss affecting safety systems, refrigeration, or common-area lighting.
- Gas smell. Evacuate and call the gas company first, then your contractor.
- A unit that can't be secured — a broken door or lock after a break-in or storm damage.
A dripping faucet, a squeaky door, or a cosmetic crack can wait for a normal appointment. Save "emergency" for things that get worse by the hour.
The first move for water or power emergencies is almost always the same: shut it off — water at the unit or building main, power at the breaker if it's safe to reach — then call. Cutting the source stops the damage clock while help is on the way.
What to do while you wait for a contractor
- Water: shut off the supply, move anything valuable off the floor, and photograph the damage once the water's off — you'll want it for any insurance claim.
- No heat: check the thermostat and breaker first (it's sometimes that simple), open cabinet doors under sinks near exterior walls to keep pipes warmer, and let faucets drip slightly if a freeze is expected.
- Power loss: check whether it's building-wide (call the utility) or unit-specific (check the breaker panel) before assuming it's a wiring emergency.
Getting a contractor there fast
Response time comes down to who you already have on file. Condo boards and landlords who wait until the emergency to start calling around lose the most time. A standing relationship with a licensed maintenance contractor — one who already knows the building or unit — cuts the guesswork and the wait.
Members of PSB Pro get priority scheduling for exactly this reason: when something breaks at 2am, you're not starting from zero.
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