What to do in a plumbing emergency before the plumber arrives

The first five minutes

Most water damage happens in the time between noticing the problem and stopping the water. These steps work for almost any plumbing emergency, in this order.

1. Stop the waterClose the valve closest to the problem, like the one behind a toilet or under a sink. If you can't find one or the leak is in a wall or ceiling, shut off the main valve for the house.
2. Keep away from electricityIf water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, don't walk through it. Turn off power to that area at the breaker only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
3. Open a faucet at the lowest pointAfter the main is off, open a tub or outdoor faucet to drain the water still in the pipes and take pressure off the leak.
4. Protect what you canMove furniture, rugs, electronics and papers out of the way. Put towels or buckets down to slow the spread.
5. Take photos and videoRecord the leak and any damage before you clean up. Your insurer will want them.
6. Call a plumberSay what happened, where, and that the water is off. That helps them judge how fast they need to come.

Where to find your main shutoff valve

Every home has a main valve where the water line enters the house. Find yours before you need it, and make sure it turns.

• Crawl space homes, which are common in older parts of Tuscaloosa, often have the valve just inside the crawl space near the front wall, facing the street.
• Slab homes often have it in the garage, a utility closet, near the water heater, or on an outside wall close to where the line comes in.
• Newer homes sometimes have a valve on the main line right after it enters, near the water heater or laundry area.
• At the meter. If you can't find a house valve, the meter box near the street has a shutoff, but it usually needs a meter key. In Tuscaloosa, call 311 if the meter itself is leaking.

Most valves are either a round wheel you turn clockwise or a lever you turn a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe.

What to do by type of emergency

Burst or leaking pipe

Shut off the main right away, then open a low faucet to drain the line. If the leak is in a ceiling and it's bulging, poke a small hole in the lowest point over a bucket so the water comes down in one place instead of bringing the ceiling down. In winter, a burst pipe usually shows up when frozen pipes thaw. See our guide on keeping pipes from freezing.

Overflowing toilet

Lift the tank lid and push the flapper at the bottom of the tank down to stop more water going into the bowl. Then turn the valve behind the toilet clockwise. Don't flush again until the clog is cleared.

Sewage coming up a drain

Stop using water everywhere in the house, including flushing, showers, the dishwasher and the washing machine, because that water has nowhere to go. Keep children and pets away and don't touch the water without gloves. If several drains back up at once, the blockage is likely in the main sewer line. If you're inside Tuscaloosa city limits, the city's Wastewater line, 205-248-5900, can check whether the problem is on the city's side.

Leaking water heater

Turn off the cold water valve on the pipe going into the top of the heater. For an electric heater, switch off its breaker. For a gas heater, turn the control knob to "pilot" or "off". A leak from the tank body usually means the heater needs replacing. Our repair or replace guide explains why.

You smell gas

This is not a plumbing job to handle yourself. Leave the house right away and don't switch lights or appliances on or off on the way out. From outside, call Spire Alabama or 911.

What to tell the plumber when you call

• What you see: water spraying, dripping, pooling, backing up, or no water at all.
• Where it is: which room, which fixture, and whether it's inside a wall, ceiling or floor.
• Whether the water is off, and at which valve.
• How old the home is and whether you have a crawl space or a slab.
• Your address or ZIP code, so the call goes to a plumber who covers your area.

Cleaning up and calling your insurer

Once the leak is stopped, start drying. The EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold. Pull up wet rugs, run fans, open windows if the weather allows, and use a wet vacuum on standing water. For more than a small spill, or any water from a sewer backup, a water damage cleanup company is worth calling.

Call your insurer early, even before the repair is done. Keep receipts for the plumber, cleanup and anything you replace.

What can usually wait until morning

After-hours calls usually cost more, so it helps to know what can wait. A dripping faucet, a running toilet, a single slow drain, or a small leak you've stopped by closing a fixture valve can usually wait for normal hours. Water you can't stop, sewage in the house, no water at all, or a leak near electrical equipment can't wait.

Questions people ask

This guide is general information for homeowners, not professional advice for your specific home. Plumbing Tuscaloosa is a referral service and does not do plumbing work; a licensed plumber should look at your situation before any repair.