Your Priority Plumber editorial · General homeowner information
1. Put safety before cleanup
Stay away from water touching outlets, appliances or the electrical panel. Do not enter standing water to reach a breaker. If there is an immediate electrical hazard, evacuate the area and contact emergency services. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
2. Stop the water, if it is safe
Close the main water shutoff where the supply enters your home. A lever usually closes with a quarter-turn; a wheel generally turns clockwise. Do not force a stuck valve. If the leak is isolated to a fixture, its local shutoff may be enough.
If you do not know where the valve is, check the garage, basement or crawlspace entrance. Avoid entering unsafe or flooded spaces. Contact the utility for help with a utility-owned valve.
3. Protect what you can
Keep children and pets away. Move dry valuables without walking into hazardous water, and take photos of the damage for your insurer. Do not stand beneath a bulging or wet ceiling.
A plumbing repair does not dry building materials. Significant flooding may also need a water-restoration professional to assess drying and contamination.
4. Describe the problem clearly
Tell a plumbing professional where the pipe is, whether the main valve is closed, and whether the water is still flowing. Ask about availability, visit fees and the scope of work before agreeing to a visit. Referral requests do not guarantee emergency availability.
Prepare before the next freeze
Know your shutoff location, disconnect outdoor hoses, and insulate exposed pipes. If a pipe freezes, avoid open flames and do not assume the pipe is undamaged once it thaws. Have suspect plumbing inspected.
This guide is general information, not an on-site diagnosis. Follow manufacturer instructions and use an appropriate professional for unsafe or uncertain work.
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