In a plumbing emergency, turn off the water first, then contain the leak, clean up standing water, and call a plumber. Staying calm and acting in that order limits damage to your floors, walls, and cabinets.
Plumbing emergencies can pop up out of nowhere and disrupt your whole day. According to Kitchen Infinity, one in 10 American adults has needed a plumber in the past twelve months, so you are not alone. Professional Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, and Sewer Repair Solutions is a veteran-owned, family-run team that has helped local homeowners since 2007.
Key Points
- Shut off the water first: use the fixture valve for a single leak, or the main valve if the source is unclear.
- Contain the water with buckets and towels, then clean up standing water to prevent mold.
- Know where your main shut-off valve is before a plumbing emergency happens.
- Shut off the water and the power or gas to a leaking water heater before calling a plumber.
- Regular drain cleaning and maintenance prevent many emergencies.
What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any problem that causes active water damage, a health risk, or a loss of water service. Common examples include:
- A burst or leaking pipe
- Sewage backing up into a tub, shower, or floor drain
- A leaking or failed water heater
- No water at any faucet in the house
- A toilet that keeps overflowing
A slow drain or a dripping faucet is not an emergency. Still, it is worth a call during business hours before it gets worse.
Step 1: How Do You Turn Off the Water in a Plumbing Emergency?
Turning off the water is the first step in almost every plumbing emergency. For a burst pipe, shut off the main water supply to prevent further damage. For a leaking pipe or clogged sink, stop using any water connected to that fixture.
If you cannot tell where the leak is coming from, shut off the main water supply to the house. This step limits damage more than any other, so every homeowner should know where the shut-off valve is.
Where Is Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve?
The main water shut-off valve is usually where the water line enters your home. Check the basement or crawl space wall facing the street, near the water heater, or in a utility closet. Homes on a well often have the shut-off near the pressure tank. If your valve is hard to reach or will not turn, our team can move it to a more accessible location.
Step 2: How Do You Contain a Plumbing Leak?
Containing the leak keeps water from spreading after the supply is off. Water can still sit in the pipes or drip from under a sink. Put a bucket or large bowl under the pipe to catch it, and lay towels around the base of the fixture.
Step 3: Why Should You Clean Up Standing Water Right Away?
Standing water causes mold, mildew, and damage to wood cabinets and flooring the longer it sits. Mop up puddles, run fans, and move rugs and stored items out of wet areas. The EPA’s guide to mold and moisture explains why drying wet areas quickly matters.
Step 4: When Should You Call a Plumber?
Call a plumber as soon as the water is off and the area is safe. A licensed plumber finds the source, makes the repair, and checks for hidden damage behind walls and under floors with professional leak detection services.
During business hours, our team answers the phone, and after-hours calls go to our backup answering service. Learn more about our emergency plumbing services and what to expect when you call.
What Should You Do If Your Water Heater Is Leaking?
A leaking water heater needs both its water and its power shut off. Close the cold water valve on the pipe above the tank to stop new water from entering. Then turn off the breaker for an electric unit, or set the gas control to off for a gas unit. Call for water heater repair service before restarting it.
What Should You Do If Sewage Backs Up?
A sewage backup is a health risk, so stop using every sink, toilet, shower, and appliance that drains water. Any water you run adds to the backup. Keep children and pets away from the area, and call a plumber. Repeated backups often point to a blockage or damage in the main line that needs sewer line repair.
How Can You Prevent the Next Plumbing Emergency?
You can prevent many plumbing emergencies with simple habits and regular service. Your plumber will usually explain how to avoid the same problem in the future. For example, cleaning your pipes regularly prevents clogs and helps prevent leaks, and a drain filter in your bathtub keeps hair out of the line.
Our Club Membership includes an Annual Plumbing Inspection that catches worn pipes and fixtures before they fail, plus priority and same-day service for members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I turn off the main water valve for a small leak?
Not always. For a leak at one sink or toilet, close that fixture’s own shut-off valve, usually found under the sink or behind the toilet. That stops the leak while the rest of the house keeps water. Shut off the main valve if the leak is from a pipe, the fixture valve fails, or you cannot find the source.
Is a dripping faucet a plumbing emergency?
No. A dripping faucet wastes water and should be fixed, but it does not cause sudden damage. Call during business hours to schedule a repair. A leak that is spreading, soaking a ceiling, or coming from a pipe is a plumbing emergency, so shut off the water and call right away.
Can a plumber move my shut-off valve?
Yes. If your main shut-off valve is buried behind boxes, tucked in a tight crawl space, or too stiff to turn, a plumber can relocate or replace it. Professional Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, and Sewer Repair Solutions moves shut-off valves to accessible spots so you can reach them fast in a plumbing emergency.
Be Ready Before the Next Plumbing Emergency
The most important thing to do in any plumbing emergency is turn off the water with your shut-off valve. If yours is hard to reach, our team can move it to a better spot. Call us when you need plumbing help, or contact our team today to schedule service or a shut-off valve relocation.