Emergency Plumbing Guide: What to Do Before Help Arrives

Is your basement filling with water? Did a pipe just burst, or is water gushing from under your sink? Plumbing emergencies strike hard and fast—turning a calm evening into chaos within minutes. At McIntosh Plumbing, we know the panic that comes with every drip, flood, or burst.

You don’t have to face it alone. Our licensed technicians answer calls 24/7, but what you do in those first minutes can make all the difference. Here’s how you can keep your home and family safe before help arrives.

Recognizing a Plumbing Emergency 🚨

Some leaks are slow and sneaky—a drip here, a puddle there. But others are like a thunderclap. You need to know when an issue demands urgent action.

Common emergencies include:

• Burst pipes (often after a freeze or sudden thaw)
• Rapid flooding in basements or bathrooms
• Sewage backing up into tubs, sinks, or toilets
• Major leaks from water heaters, boilers, or filtration systems
• Gas smells near gas lines or appliances (leave immediately—call 911 first)
• No water flow or extremely low water pressure
• Sudden loss of hot water, especially in winter

Warning signs not to ignore:

• The sound of water running when all taps are off
• Water stains on ceilings or walls
• Strong musty or sewage odors
• Gurgling drains, bubbling toilets, or brown water

Emergencies don’t wait for business hours. They hit during holidays, storms, or the coldest nights of the year. If you think it’s urgent, treat it like it is.

Quick Safety Checklist

Before you do anything else, make safety your top priority. Here’s a printable checklist you can keep handy by your main water shutoff:

• [ ] Turn off the main water supply (usually a valve near the meter or basement wall)
• [ ] Shut off electricity to affected areas (especially if water is near outlets or appliances)
• [ ] Avoid walking through standing water—risk of shock or contamination
• [ ] Move valuables and electronics to higher ground
• [ ] Open windows if you smell gas—leave the house and call for help
• [ ] Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must enter wet areas
• [ ] Keep children and pets away from the affected zone
• [ ] If sewage is present, avoid contact and ventilate the area
• [ ] Take photos for insurance—don’t delay if the scene is safe

Print this and tape it inside a cabinet or utility closet. In an emergency, clear thinking saves time.

Shutting Off Water Safely

When water is gushing, every second counts. Locating and turning off your main water valve is like hitting the brakes on a runaway car.

How to find your main valve:

• Basement or crawl space: Look for a round or lever-style handle on the main pipe coming from the street.
• Utility closet or garage: In warmer climates, it may be inside.
• At the curb: Some homes have a shutoff in a ground box outside—use only if you know how.

Turn clockwise to close. If it’s stuck, use a wrench or call for help. Don’t force it so hard you break the valve.

Shut off the water heater too, especially if it’s leaking or you’ve lost pressure. For electric heaters, switch off the breaker. For gas, turn the dial to “pilot.”

Minimizing Water Damage

You can’t stop every drop, but you can keep a puddle from becoming a pond.

• Catch leaks: Use buckets, towels, or pans under drips.
• Move furniture: Get rugs, wood, and electronics away from water.
• Open drains: If safe, clear clogs with a plunger to help water escape.
• Ventilate: Open windows and run fans to reduce humidity.
• Shut doors: Contain water to one room if possible.

For sewage backups, don’t try to clean it yourself—bacteria and viruses are serious hazards. Seal off the area and wait for professionals.

When to Call a Pro

Not every drip needs an emergency plumber. But some problems spiral fast.

Call McIntosh Plumbing right away if:

• Water won’t stop flowing after you shut off fixtures
• There’s a risk of electric shock (water near outlets, panels, or wires)
• You see or smell sewage, or suspect a gas leak
• The leak is hidden in walls, ceilings, or floors
• Flooding threatens your foundation or electrical system

Don’t wait until morning. Water damage can set in within hours. Mold starts within a day. Your call could be the difference between a quick fix and a major renovation.

Safety Precautions for Homeowners 🛑

It’s tempting to grab a wrench, but some jobs are dangerous without the right tools and training.

Always:

• Use protective gear (gloves, boots, masks)
• Turn off electricity before touching wet appliances
• Keep fire extinguishers nearby if you smell gas (but leave the house!)

Never:

• Use electrical devices in wet areas
• Ignore strange smells—especially gas or burning
• Mix household cleaners in standing water (toxic fumes can form)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and local building codes stress: safety first, repairs second.

DIY vs. Call a Pro

You can plunge a toilet or tighten a leaky faucet. But for major issues—like burst pipes, flooded basements, or gas lines—DIY can make things worse.

Safe for DIY:

• Plunging a simple toilet clog
• Tightening a loose fixture (hand-tight only)
• Shutting off water supply to a single appliance

Call McIntosh Plumbing for:

• Repiping, pipe repair, or burst pipes
• Water heater installation or repair
• Sewer line inspection or repair
• Gas safety checks or gas line installation
• Water Filtration Systems near you
• Sump pump repair or replacement

When in doubt, call. Our licensed team is trained to handle the toughest jobs safely.

What Pros Do On Arrival

Here’s what to expect when our technicians reach your door:

1. Rapid assessment: We’ll check the source of the problem and look for hidden issues.
2. Safety check: Our team follows state and local codes—shutting off power, gas, and water as needed.
3. Targeted repair: We’ll fix leaks, restore water flow, and protect your home from further damage.
4. Cleanup: We help remove water and sanitize as needed, especially after sewage backups.
5. Advice: We’ll explain what happened and how to prevent it next time.

Our average emergency response time is among the fastest in the region, according to customer testimonials. We’re proud to be fully licensed, bonded, and insured—see our credentials with the state licensing board for peace of mind.

Prevention & Maintenance

The best emergency is the one you never have. Regular maintenance catches small problems before they explode.

Simple steps to prevent plumbing disasters:

• Insulate pipes before winter (especially in basements and crawl spaces)
• Schedule annual water heater and boiler checkups
• Install water leak detectors in high-risk areas
• Test sump pumps and backflow prevention devices every season
• Don’t pour grease, wipes, or coffee grounds down drains
• Know where your shutoff valves are—and make sure everyone in your home does too

Many insurance companies and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) recommend yearly plumbing inspections for older homes.

Costs & Time Factors

Plumbing emergencies don’t just cost money—they cost time, too. Here’s what affects your bill and repair timeline:

What influences cost:

• Severity and location of the leak or damage
• Accessibility (behind walls, under floors, or outdoors)
• Parts and materials needed (older homes may need custom solutions)
• Time of day or holiday (after-hours service costs more)
• Clean-up and restoration after flooding or sewage

What influences repair time:

• Speed of shutoff and your first actions
• How quickly you call for help
• Complexity of the repair (a burst pipe is faster than a full sewer line replacement)

Acting fast and providing clear info to your plumber can help minimize both cost and downtime.

When It’s an Emergency

It’s not always obvious. Here’s a quick guide:

• Emergency: Gushing water, visible flooding, sewage backup, gas leak, water heater spraying or failing in winter.
• Urgent (but not emergency): Slow leaks, minor clogs, dripping faucets.
• Routine: Fixture installation, annual backflow testing, preventative maintenance.

If you’re unsure, call. Better to ask than to wait and risk a disaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if my plumbing issue is an emergency or can wait?

A: If there’s flooding, sewage, or a risk to health and safety, it’s an emergency. If it’s a slow drip and can be contained, it may wait for business hours.

Q: What should I tell the plumber on the phone?

A: Give details—where the leak or backup is, what you’ve done so far (shutoffs, moved items), any smells (gas, sewage), and if electricity is affected.

Q: Can water filtration systems or sump pumps cause emergencies?

A: Yes. Faulty water filtration systems can leak, and failed sump pumps lead to basement flooding, especially during storms.

Q: What should I do if my pipes freeze?

A: Turn off the main water supply. Open faucets to relieve pressure. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes—use a hair dryer or call a pro.

Local & Seasonal Considerations ❄️

Plumbing emergencies love extremes—winter freezes, spring thaws, summer storms, and holiday overloads.

• Freezing temps: Insulate pipes and disconnect garden hoses before the first frost.
• Heavy rain: Check sump pumps and floor drains ahead of storms.
• Holidays: More guests mean more strain on toilets, drains, and garbage disposals. Remind visitors what not to flush.

Our team has seen it all, from ice-blocked pipes in January to Thanksgiving sink floods. Every season brings its own risks—preparation is key.

Stay safe. Act fast. And remember—help is just a call away.

Call McIntosh Plumbing now — or reach us anytime at  888-835-0389 .