Water where it shouldn't be spreads fast and gets expensive quickly. The first ten minutes matter more than anything the plumber does later. Here's what to do, in order, and how to avoid paying emergency rates for something that can wait until morning.
Step 1: Stop the water
- At the fixture, if you can. Toilets, sinks and many appliances have a small shutoff valve (a "stop") on the supply line, usually right behind or under the fixture. Turn it clockwise.
- At the main shutoff, if you can't. The main valve is usually where the water line enters the house: in a basement near the front wall, in a utility room, near the water heater, or in a garage. In warm climates it may be outside near the foundation or at the meter box by the street, which sometimes needs a meter key.
Do this today, before you need it: find your main shutoff, make sure it turns, and show everyone in the household where it is. It's the single most useful plumbing tip there is.
Step 2: Make it safe
- Electricity. If water is near outlets, appliances or your electrical panel, don't stand in water to reach them. If you can safely reach the breaker panel from a dry spot, switch off power to the affected area. If not, call your electric utility.
- Water heater. If the water heater is leaking, shut off its cold water supply valve. For a gas heater, turn the gas control to "off" or "pilot". For an electric heater, switch off its breaker.
- Gas smell. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the gas utility from outside. Don't operate switches.
Step 3: Limit the damage
- Open faucets at the lowest point in the house to drain the remaining pressure in the pipes.
- Move furniture, rugs, electronics and valuables out of the water.
- Soak up standing water with towels, a wet-dry vacuum or a mop.
- For a clogged, overflowing toilet, don't flush again. Close the stop valve and plunge.
Step 4: Document for insurance
Before and during cleanup, take photos and video of the source of the leak, the water and anything damaged. Homeowners policies often cover sudden, accidental water damage but not gradual leaks or neglected maintenance, so documentation of what happened and when matters. Call your insurer promptly if damage is significant. Many policies require prompt notice and reasonable steps to prevent further damage.
Is it really an emergency?
After-hours plumbing often costs significantly more. Our plumbing calculator estimates about 50% extra. Once the water is off, ask yourself whether it can wait.
| Usually an emergency | Usually can wait until business hours |
|---|---|
| Burst pipe you can't isolate | Dripping faucet |
| Sewage backing up into the house | One slow drain when others work |
| Main shutoff won't close | Running toilet (close its stop valve) |
| No water at all in winter (possible frozen pipe) | Leak under a sink with the stop valve closed |
| Leaking water heater you can't shut off | No hot water, if the heater is shut off and not leaking |
What to ask before a plumber comes out
- "What's your trip or service call fee, and is it credited toward the repair?"
- "What's your after-hours rate, and when does it apply?"
- "Do you charge flat-rate or by the hour?"
- "What's your license number?" Most states license plumbers, and you can verify it online. See our license guide.
A note on cancellation rights
The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you three business days to cancel many sales made at your home. But the rule excludes repairs you requested at your home, and it has a specific exception for bona fide emergencies. So don't count on being able to cancel an emergency plumbing job after the fact. Agree on the price before work starts. If the plumber recommends additional products or services beyond the repair you called about, the rule can apply to those extra sales.
Frozen pipes: special care
If a pipe is frozen but not burst, open the faucet it feeds and warm the pipe gently with a hair dryer or space heater, starting from the faucet end. Never use an open flame. If the pipe has already burst, shut off the main before it thaws.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Our plumbing calculator estimates standard and emergency pricing for common jobs, adjusted for your state.
Should I use chemical drain cleaner?
It's best avoided, especially on older pipes or a fully blocked drain. It can damage pipes and is hazardous to the plumber who comes next. A plunger or hand snake is safer.
How do I prevent the next emergency?
Know your shutoffs, replace old rubber washing machine hoses with braided steel, insulate pipes in unheated spaces, and flush your water heater yearly. See our seasonal maintenance checklist.