Plumbing emergency: what to do right now
Stop the water first, make the area safe, then call. Find your situation below; each takes under a minute to read.
Is it an emergency?
A plumbing problem is an emergency when it's causing damage or a safety risk right now and you can't stop it yourself. Most other problems can wait for a scheduled visit, which usually costs less than an after-hours call.
| Situation | Emergency? | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Water spraying or pouring from a pipe | Yes | Close the main valve, then call |
| Sewage coming up a drain | Yes | Stop all water use. See drain backing up |
| Gas smell | Yes, and the gas utility comes first | Leave the house. See smell gas |
| No water anywhere in the house | Usually | Check for a utility outage. See no water |
| Water heater leaking from the tank | Soon | Turn it off and close its cold valve. See water heater leaking |
| Toilet overflowing | Only if it won't stop | Close the toilet's valve. See toilet overflowing |
| Running toilet, dripping faucet, slow drain | No | Book a regular visit or fix it yourself |
Burst pipe or major leak
Close the main water valve
Cut power to wet areas
Only if you can reach the breaker panel without standing in water.
Drain the lines
Open a low cold faucet. Then call a plumber. More in burst pipe repair.
Sewage backing up
- Stop using all water in the house: no flushing, showers, laundry or dishwasher.
- Keep children and pets away. Sewage carries bacteria; wear gloves and boots if you must go near it.
- Don't use chemical drain openers on a main line backup.
- Call a plumber for a main line clearing. See drain cleaning and sewer line repair.
Toilet overflowing
- Lift the tank lid and push the flapper down to stop water entering the bowl.
- Turn the supply valve behind the toilet clockwise.
- If water is still coming up from the bowl without flushing, the main line may be blocked. Stop using water and call.
Water heater leaking
- Close the cold-water valve on the pipe entering the top of the heater.
- Gas: turn the control to "off" or "pilot". Electric: switch off its breaker.
- A leak from the tank itself usually means replacement.
If you smell gas
Leave the building now. Don't switch lights on or off, use phones inside, or start a car in an attached garage. From outside, call your gas utility's emergency line or 911. After the utility makes it safe, a licensed plumber or gas fitter can repair the line.