Emergency Plumbing: What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

🚨 Emergency Plumbing: Fast Action for Homeowners

When a plumbing disaster strikes, it always feels like the worst timing. Maybe it’s a burst pipe spraying water everywhere, an overflowing toilet flooding your bathroom, or a mystery leak. Whatever the emergency, staying calm and acting quickly can save your home from costly water damage and keep your family safe. At Schaubs Plumbing, we know how stressful these moments can be—which is why we’re here 24/7 to help with emergency plumbing, leak repair, toilet repair, and more.

In this guide, you’ll find easy steps to follow during a plumbing emergency, so you know just what to do until one of our expert plumbers arrives.

⏱️ Why Every Second Counts in a Plumbing Emergency

Water moves fast. Even a few minutes can mean the difference between a small wet spot and a major repair bill. Acting quickly limits damage and can prevent major headaches later on.

Common emergency plumbing situations include:

• Burst pipes
• Overflowing or clogged toilets
• Major leaks under sinks or behind walls
• Sewer backups
• Broken water heaters
• Flooded basements

No matter the issue, your first priority should always be safety—yours, your family’s, and your home’s.

🛑 Step 1: Shut Off the Water Supply

The very first thing you should do in most plumbing emergencies is stop the flow of water.

How to Shut Off Water in an Emergency

• Locate the main water shut-off valve:
  Most homes have this valve near where the water line enters the house (often in the basement, utility room, or outside near the foundation).
• Turn the valve clockwise (right) until it stops.
  This cuts off water to the entire house.
• For localized leaks:
  If the problem is only in one area—like a toilet or sink—look for a smaller shut-off valve under or behind the fixture.

Tip: Know where your shut-off valves are before there’s an emergency. Teach everyone in your household.

💦 Step 2: Control and Contain Water Damage

Once the water is off, try to keep water from spreading.

What You Can Do

• Move belongings away: Get rugs, furniture, and electronics out of the water’s path.
• Use towels or mops: Soak up as much water as you can to stop it from spreading.
• Place buckets or pans: Catch drips from leaking pipes, ceilings, or fixtures.

Warning: Avoid standing in water if there’s any chance it’s near electrical outlets or cords. Stay safe!

🚽 Step 3: Address Specific Plumbing Emergencies

Different plumbing emergencies need different quick fixes. Here’s what to do if you’re dealing with:

Burst Pipes

• Shut off the main water valve.
• Open nearby taps to drain any remaining water from pipes.
• Use towels to absorb water and place buckets under any leaks.

Overflowing Toilets 🚽

• Remove the lid from the tank.
• Lift the float to stop water from filling the bowl.
• Turn off the water valve behind the toilet.

Leaking Water Heater

• Switch off the cold water supply to the heater.
• Turn off the power:
  • For electric heaters, shut off the breaker.
  • For gas heaters, turn off the gas supply.
• Call Schaubs Plumbing right away for water heater repair or water heater installation help.

Major Sink or Drain Leaks

• Shut off the water supply under the sink.
• Use buckets to catch drips.
• Call us for sink repair, kitchen plumbing, or drain cleaning.

If you’re unsure what to do, call Schaubs Plumbing immediately and our team will guide you over the phone.

🧑‍🔧 Step 4: Stay Calm and Keep Your Family Safe

It’s easy to panic during a plumbing emergency, but staying calm helps you think clearly and take the right steps.

Safety tips:

• Keep children and pets away from flooded areas.
• Avoid using electrical appliances near water.
• If water is near your electrical panel, call your utility company for help.

📞 Step 5: Call Schaubs Plumbing for Emergency Help

Some plumbing situations are too big for DIY fixes. That’s when you need expert help—fast. Schaubs Plumbing is your go-to for emergency plumbing, leak detection, toilet repair, pipe repair, boiler repair, and more near you. Our trained, background-checked plumbers arrive quickly, ready to tackle any issue day or night.

🛡️ Trust Schaubs Plumbing: Why Homeowners Choose Us

Our reputation is built on years of reliable service, honest advice, and fast response times.

Why trust Schaubs Plumbing with your emergency?

• 24/7 Emergency Service: We’re always open, even on weekends and holidays.
• Fully Licensed and Insured: Peace of mind for every job.
• Expert Technicians: Our plumbers are experienced in everything from toilet repair to water heater installation, pipe installation, repiping, fixture installation, and more.
• Modern Equipment: We use the latest tools for leak detection, drain cleaning, water filtration systems, and backflow testing.
• Local to You: We’re proud to serve our neighbors with emergency plumbing near you.

Hear from our happy customers:

“Schaubs Plumbing arrived within 30 minutes of my call. They stopped my burst pipe and cleaned up the mess. Life savers!”
— Riley, Homeowner

🏡 Preventing Future Plumbing Emergencies

You can’t avoid every plumbing issue, but regular care helps keep surprises away.

Smart prevention tips:

• Schedule preventative maintenance: Annual checkups catch small problems before they get big.
• Upgrade old pipes: Aging plumbing is more likely to burst or leak.
• Fix minor leaks fast: Don’t wait—small drips can become major problems.
• Watch what goes down the drain: Avoid clogs by keeping grease, wipes, and hair out of sinks and toilets.
• Install water filtration systems: These help prevent mineral buildup and extend pipe life.

Schaubs Plumbing offers preventative maintenance, pipe installation, repiping, water filtration systems, and more—all designed to keep your home safe and dry.

⚡ Stay Prepared: Emergency Plumbing Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist to keep handy:

• Know your main water shut-off location
• Keep Schaubs Plumbing’s number saved
• Have towels, buckets, and a mop ready
• Teach family members what to do if pipes burst or toilets overflow

🚚 Schaubs Plumbing: Rapid, Trusted, 24/7 Help

Plumbing emergencies are stressful, but you don’t have to face them alone. With Schaubs Plumbing’s 24/7 emergency service, fast response, and friendly plumbers, help is always just a call away.

If you have questions or want to schedule preventative maintenance, reach out anytime. Protect your home, your family, and your peace of mind with Schaubs Plumbing—the emergency plumbing, leak repair, and drain cleaning experts near you!

Schaubs Plumbing: Your Reliable Partner for Emergency Plumbing, Leak Repair, Toilet Repair, Water Heater Installation, Pipe Repair, and More.

📞 Don’t wait—call now and let us help you when you need it most!
Call Schaubs Plumbing—your local emergency plumber:  1-877-919-9920