Immediate action guide
Plumber Emergency Action Steps
What to do right now before a plumber arrives, with clear lines for 911, utility, and contractor calls.
First rule
If there is fire, smoke, shock, collapse risk, gas odor, carbon monoxide alarm, injury, trapped people, or any uncertainty about safety, leave the area and call 911. Use these steps only when you can act from a safe position.
E1
Burst Pipe
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the spraying pipe, wet flooring, and nearby outlets.
- If you can reach it without stepping in water, shut off the main water valve.
- Use buckets, towels, or a plastic bin to slow spreading; move cords and rugs away.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call an emergency plumber and tell them which valve is closed and whether water is still flowing.
Do not do this
- - Do not touch wet electrical devices, outlets, cords, panels, or switches.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E2
Sewer Backup
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the backed-up drain, tub, toilet, or floor drain.
- Stop using sinks, toilets, showers, laundry, and dishwashers until the line is checked.
- Close interior doors, block foot traffic, and place towels only at clean edges.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a plumber or drain contractor and describe every fixture affected, starting with the lowest level.
Do not do this
- - Do not mop, vacuum, or carry contaminated water through clean rooms.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E3
Frozen Pipe Thawing
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the suspected frozen pipe, cabinet, crawlspace, or exterior wall.
- Open the nearest faucet slightly and shut off the branch or main valve if a split appears.
- Warm the room with normal indoor heat; move stored items away from the pipe path.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a plumber if the pipe bulges, leaks, stays frozen, or serves heat-critical rooms.
Do not do this
- - Do not use torches, open flame, space heaters against cabinets, or boiling water.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E4
Water Heater Leak
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the water heater, drain pan, nearby floor, and electrical or gas connections.
- If safe, turn off the cold-water supply to the tank and the breaker or gas control.
- Keep water away from outlets and the panel; use towels only from dry footing.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a plumber and say whether the tank, valve, top connections, or drain line is leaking.
Do not do this
- - Do not open covers, remove burners, or relight a gas water heater after a leak.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.
E5
No Hot Water in Winter
Do this now
- Move people, pets, and valuables away from the water heater, utility room, and any cold rooms with plumbing.
- Check only obvious safe items: thermostat setting, breaker position, and whether other utilities are out.
- Keep cabinet doors open around plumbing and conserve remaining warm water for essential use.
- Photograph safely, note the time, and save temporary-material receipts.
- Call a plumber or water-heater technician before resetting, relighting, or replacing parts.
Do not do this
- - Do not bypass controls, relight repeatedly, or run unvented heaters indoors.
- - Do not re-enter while alarms, odors, sparks, smoke, water, or movement continue.