Plumbing Emergency? Do These 5 Things First

A burst pipe or an overflowing toilet can put a surprising amount of water on the floor in just a few minutes. What you do in those first moments — before anyone arrives — makes a real difference in how much damage you’re cleaning up later. Keep this list somewhere you can find it.

1. Shut off the water

For a single fixture, turn the shut-off valve right at the toilet or under the sink (turn clockwise to close). For a major leak or a burst pipe, go straight to the main shut-off — usually where the water line enters the house, near the front foundation, or at the meter by the street. If you don’t know where yours is, find it today, before you need it.

2. Kill power to the area if water is near electrical

If water is spreading toward outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, shut off power to that area at the breaker. Don’t walk through standing water to reach a panel that’s already wet — if it’s not safe to get there, stay back and call for help.

3. Drain the lines

After the main is off, open the lowest faucet in the house (often an outdoor spigot or basement tap) and a couple of others to drain the pressure out of the pipes. This stops the remaining water in the lines from continuing to feed the leak.

4. Contain and protect

Move furniture, rugs, and anything valuable away from the water. Towels and a bucket help, but the priority is getting belongings up and out of the path. If it’s a sewage backup, keep people and pets away — that water isn’t just dirty, it’s a health hazard.

5. Call a plumber — and document it

Call for help, then snap a few photos of the damage before you clean up. Those photos matter if you end up filing an insurance claim. The faster a pro gets there, the sooner the leak is stopped for good.

Know your shut-offs before the emergency

The single best thing you can do today is walk your house and locate every shut-off valve — toilets, sinks, the water heater, and the main. Thirty seconds of knowing where the main valve is can save you thousands in water damage. When you need us, our emergency plumbing line is open 24/7 across Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Indian Land and nearby.