What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency: A Step-by-Step Guide

6 min readUpdated March 1, 2025

A plumbing emergency can happen at any time — a burst pipe at 3 AM, a sewage backup on Thanksgiving, or a water heater flooding your basement. Knowing what to do in those first critical minutes can save you thousands of dollars in damage.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

The most important thing you can do is stop the flow of water. Every homeowner should know where their main water shut-off valve is located.

Where to find it: In most homes, the main shut-off valve is located near the water meter, typically in the basement, crawl space, or on an exterior wall near the street. It's usually a gate valve (round handle) or ball valve (lever handle).

Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) to shut off all water flow to your home. If you have a burst pipe, this single step can prevent thousands of gallons of water damage.

Step 2: Turn Off the Water Heater

Once the main water is off, turn off your water heater to prevent damage to the unit. If it's gas-powered, turn the gas valve to the "off" position. If it's electric, flip the breaker.

Running a water heater without water can crack the tank or damage heating elements — an expensive secondary problem you don't need.

Step 3: Address Electrical Hazards

If water is near any electrical outlets, panels, or appliances:

Do not touch — electrical equipment while standing in water

If you can safely reach your breaker box, turn off power to affected areas

If you can't reach it safely, call your electric utility's emergency line

Step 4: Contain the Water

While waiting for the plumber:

Use towels, mops, and buckets to contain standing water

Move furniture and valuables away from wet areas

Open cabinets under sinks to check for hidden leaks

If a toilet is overflowing, remove the tank lid and push the flapper down to stop water flow

Step 5: Document the Damage

Before you start cleaning up, take photos and video of all damage. This documentation is critical for insurance claims. Photograph:

The source of the leak or backup

Water levels and spread

Damaged belongings and surfaces

Serial numbers on damaged appliances

Step 6: Call a Verified Emergency Plumber

Now call a plumber. When you call:

Describe the problem clearly (burst pipe, sewer backup, etc.)

Ask for an estimated arrival time

Ask about their emergency service rates

Confirm they're licensed and insured

Pro tip: Don't just call the first plumber you find on Google. Use a service like Fast Plumber Near Me that verifies plumbers actually answer emergency calls and respond quickly.

Step 7: Open Drains and Spigots

After the main water is off, open faucets and outdoor spigots to drain remaining water from the pipes. This reduces pressure and can minimize further leaking from a burst pipe.

What NOT to Do

Don't use chemical drain cleaners — during a backup — they can make the problem worse and are dangerous if a plumber needs to work in the pipes

Don't try to thaw frozen pipes with an open flame — use a hair dryer or heat lamp instead

Don't ignore a "small" leak — small leaks become big leaks, and the water damage behind your walls can be far worse than what you see

Don't wait until morning — water damage gets exponentially worse over time

Be Prepared Before an Emergency

The best time to prepare for a plumbing emergency is before one happens:

Know where your main shut-off valve is and test it annually

Keep a plumber's number saved in your phone

Have basic supplies ready: adjustable wrench, plumber's tape, bucket, towels

Consider installing water leak detectors near water heaters and washing machines

How Much Does an Emergency Plumber Cost in 2025?