The first five minutes matter most
When water is going where it shouldn't, the most valuable thing you can do happens before any plumber arrives: stop the water. Every household should know where its main shutoff is and how to close it. In many homes it's a valve where the water line enters the house, often in a garage, basement, crawlspace or near the water heater. Some homes rely on the shutoff at the meter box near the street, which may need a meter key.
What to do in a plumbing emergency
1. Shut off the water. Close the fixture shutoff under the sink or behind the toilet if the problem is at one fixture. If it's a pipe, close the main. 2. Turn off power to anything wet. If water is near outlets, appliances or the electrical panel, switch off the affected circuits at the panel only if you can reach it while standing somewhere dry. If you can't, stay away and call for help. 3. Shut down the water heater if the leak is at the tank or the water to the house is off for a long time. Turn a gas heater to "pilot" or "off," or switch off the breaker for an electric one. 4. Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain pressure from the lines. 5. Move valuables and start drying. Photos of the damage will help with any insurance claim.
Common emergencies and their causes
- Burst or split pipes. Freezing is the classic cause in cold climates, but corrosion, high water pressure and failed fittings cause bursts year-round.
- Water heater failures. A tank leaking from the bottom usually means the tank itself has failed and needs replacement. A leak from a fitting or the relief valve may be repairable.
- Overflowing toilets and backed-up drains. A single fixture that won't drain is usually a local clog. Several fixtures backing up at once, especially in the lowest part of the house, points to a main sewer line blockage.
- No water at all. Check with your water provider for an outage before assuming a broken line, then look for a closed valve or a leak at the meter.
- Sewage smells or gurgling. May indicate a dry trap, a vent problem or a sewer line issue. Strong sewage odors deserve a prompt call.
What to expect from an emergency call
Emergency and after-hours calls usually cost more than scheduled work. A good plumber will stop the immediate problem, explain what failed, and give you options for the permanent fix, separating what has to be done now from what can wait for a scheduled visit. Ask for the price before work starts, and ask whether the call-out fee is applied to the repair.
If a water heater needs replacing, ask about the size, the type (tank, tankless or heat pump), the venting, and whether a permit is needed. In most jurisdictions water heater replacement requires a permit, and seismic strapping or other local requirements may apply.
Questions to ask
- What failed, and is there a chance the same problem exists elsewhere in the house?
- Is this a temporary repair or a permanent one?
- What is the price for the emergency fix, and what would the permanent repair cost?
- Will the work need a permit or inspection?
- Do you guarantee the repair, and for how long?
Write down the answers or ask for them in writing before the plumber leaves.