Plumbing Emergency: What to Do First

Step 1 - Stop the Water

Find the nearest shut-off and turn it clockwise to close it. For a toilet, use the valve behind the toilet. For a sink, use the valves under the sink. For a burst pipe or flooding, use the main shut-off where water enters your home. If a valve is stuck or corroded, don't force it, it can break and make the leak worse. Call (615) 576-1152 and we will talk you through it.

Step 2 - Make the Area Safe

Move rugs, towels, electronics, and valuables away from water. Don't touch electrical outlets, switches, or appliances in a flooded area. If sewage is backing up, avoid contact with it, stop using water, and keep children and pets away from the affected area. Ventilate if you can do so safely.

Step 3 - Protect the Water Heater

If a water heater is leaking heavily, turn off its water supply if you can do so safely. For a gas heater, don't adjust gas controls if you are unsure. For an electric heater, avoid standing water near electrical components. If you are unsure about any step, call us first and describe what you see.

Gas Smell - Different Rules

If you smell gas, leave the home immediately. Don't flip light switches, don't use a phone inside, and don't try to find the leak. From outside, call 911 or your gas utility. Then call us at (615) 576-1152 once you are safe and the situation has been cleared.

What to Tell Us on the Call

Tell us what is happening, where the water is coming from, whether you have shut the water off, when it started, and whether it is getting worse. Say whether other fixtures are affected and roughly how old your home is. Those details help us prioritise the call and bring the right parts.

What NOT to Do

• Don't pour chemical drain cleaner into a drain that is full or backing up.
• Don't force a stuck shut-off valve.
• Don't use a fixture that is backing up with sewage.
• Don't touch electrical items in standing water.
• Don't wait until morning if water is actively spreading or sewage is in the home.
• Don't stay inside to investigate a gas smell.

After the Emergency

Once water is controlled, we diagnose the cause, explain the upfront price, repair it, and test it with you. Wet drywall, flooring, and cabinets need drying to avoid mould, and we will advise on next steps. See our emergency plumbing repair service and our process for what a visit looks like.

Photos From This Kind of Job

These photos show the kind of work involved. They are illustrative photos of plumbing work, not photos taken inside a specific customer home.