Emergency Plumbing Checklist: What to Do When Disaster Strikes

When water is flooding your basement or a pipe has burst, you don't have time to search Google. You need a plan. This emergency plumbing checklist gives you step-by-step actions for the most common plumbing disasters — so you can minimize damage and get help fast.

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Immediate Actions (Do These First)

Find Your Main Water Shutoff NOW

Before an emergency happens, locate these:

• Main shutoff: Where water line enters home (basement, crawl space, near water meter)
• Water heater shutoff: Pipe at top of water heater
• Fixture shutoffs: Under each sink and behind toilets
• Gas shutoff: Near water heater/furnace (if you have gas)

Burst Pipe — Emergency Checklist

1. Turn off main water valve immediately
2. Turn off water heater (if electric: flip breaker; if gas: turn dial to "pilot")
3. Open all faucets to drain remaining water
4. Collect water with towels, buckets, wet/dry vacuum
5. Move furniture and valuables away from water
6. Take photos for insurance
7. Call emergency plumber

Major Leak — Emergency Checklist

1. Turn off water at main valve
2. Contain leak with towels, buckets, plastic sheeting
3. If leak is from ceiling, poke a hole to let water drain (prevents ceiling collapse)
4. Move items out of the water zone
5. Turn off electricity in affected room
6. Document damage with photos
7. Call plumber

Sewer Backup — Emergency Checklist

1. Stop using all water — don't flush, run dishwasher, or do laundry
2. If sewage is backing up into basement, evacuate the area
3. Keep children and pets away from contaminated water
4. Turn off electricity in affected areas
5. Open windows for ventilation (if safe)
6. Call emergency plumber — this is a health hazard
7. Contact water damage restoration company

No Water Supply — Emergency Checklist

1. Check if neighbors have water (may be a municipal outage)
2. Check if main shutoff got bumped or closed
3. Check water meter — some have a residential shutoff
4. Look for signs of frozen pipes (no water in winter)
5. If pipes are frozen, open faucets and call plumber
6. If no obvious cause, call plumber to check the line

Water Heater Failure — Emergency Checklist

1. Turn off water supply to heater
2. Turn off power/gas to heater
3. If leaking, turn off main water
4. Move items away from water
5. Don't attempt to repair yourself — let a pro handle it
6. Call plumber for repair or replacement

Toilet Overflow — Emergency Checklist

1. Turn off water supply behind toilet (small valve)
2. Stop flushing — use plunger or snake to clear
3. If overflow continues, turn off main water
4. Clean up water immediately to prevent floor damage
5. If toilet keeps running, call plumber

Gas Line Smell — CRITICAL Emergency

1. Leave immediately — don't stay in the house
2. Don't turn any switches on or off
3. Don't use your phone inside the house
4. Call gas company from outside or neighbor's house
5. Call a licensed gas plumber

Emergency Kit: What to Have Ready

• Plumber's contact info — saved in phone and posted on refrigerator
• Flashlight — for dark basements
• Bucket — multiple if possible
• Old towels/rags — for water containment
• Wet/dry shop vacuum — faster than mopping
• Adjustable wrench — to turn valves
• Rubber gloves — for sewer situations
• Plastic sheeting — to protect furniture

Preventing Plumbing Emergencies

• Know your shutoffs — locate and test them now
• Annual inspection — a plumber can find weak spots before they fail
• Winterize pipes — insulate exposed pipes before freezing weather
• Don't ignore small leaks — they become big problems
• Know your water pressure — high pressure strains pipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

• Emergency Plumber Near Me
• Burst Pipe — What to Do
• Water Leak Under Sink
• Sewer Backup Fix