What To Do in a Plumbing Emergency

If ever there was a definitive list titled "Fun things to do at home", it's safe to assume that "dealing with an unexpected plumbing emergency" would not feature on it.

Nine times out of ten, plumbing emergencies are the exact opposite of fun. Whether it’s a burst pipe, sewage backup or a faulty hot water system, knowing what to do in these instances is crucial.

So let’s take a closer look at what to do in a plumbing emergency. We’re here to guide you through the steps you should undertake when a plumbing emergency occurs in your home.

Turn Off the Water/Gas Supply

When a plumbing emergency strikes and you need to call a local emergency plumber to deal with the situation, there’s one key step you need to take first. You need to turn off the main water supply and gas valves to stop further damage from the influx of water or gas coming into your home. Which one you turn off depends largely on the nature of your plumbing emergency.

If the plumbing problem is confined to one area, like a spraying tap in the bathroom sink or a hot water heater leak, you may only need to shut off the water in that part of the house. But if it’s a gas-related emergency plumbing issue, or you’re unsure about the extent of your plumbing emergency, you’re best off shutting down the entire water or gas supply. You’ll typically find the shutoff valves for either system near the water and gas meters in your home.

Assess the Plumbing Emergency

Now that you’ve minimised the risk of a hazardous situation taking place, it’s time to determine the problem and get an idea of how bad it is.

If it’s safe to do so, your first step should be to identify the main source of the issue. Water leaks, for example, could be due to burst pipes, blocked drains or overflowing toilets. If you notice the smell of gas, then a busted gas pipe could be the cause of your problems. But do not try and determine the cause of a gas leak – get out of the house and let an experienced local plumber or gas fitter determine that.

Minimise Any Immediate Risks

After assessing the situation, the next step is to call an emergency plumber. However, until that help arrives, you may need to do some work yourself. For example:

• Water near appliances: If you find any water leaking near electrical appliances, turn off the electricity in that area.
• Contain the water: Use mops, buckets, towels or whatever you have handy to clean up the mess that leaking water has left behind.
• Leave the home: Gas leaks are one of the most serious emergency plumbing situations. If you suspect a gas leak, evacuate the home immediately. Do not use any open flames or mobile phones, and make sure you and all other occupants of the home have as little exposure to the gas fumes as possible.

Avoid any DIY attempts to fix common plumbing emergencies yourself. While clean-up and risk minimisation are okay, anything more demanding than that should be left for the emergency plumbers to handle.

Contact a Licensed Plumber

Now that you’ve done what you can to reduce the risk of immediate danger, it’s time to let the emergency plumbing pros take over.

A qualified, professional plumber will be able to fix basic and complex plumbing problems and do whatever they can to prevent them from happening again. While you may consider yourself a dab hand at DIY tasks, trying to fix the problem on your own can leave your plumbing system with further damage that will only require more fixes.

Preventative Measures for the Future

Dealing with a plumbing emergency can become a major disruption to your day (or possibly even your good night’s sleep). Your best shot at avoiding these issues in the future us by putting effective preventative measures in place. Here are some excellent starting points:

• Schedule plumbing inspections at least once a year to catch potential issues early.
• Familiarise yourself with the locations of your water and gas shutoff valves to avoid wasting time in an emergency.
• Install water leak detectors to alert you to leaks before they become major problems.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of facing unexpected emergency plumbing issues in the future.

Handle Your Plumbing Emergencies the Right Way

To say that plumbing emergencies are frustrating and inconvenient would be a major understatement. Thankfully, knowing what to do in a plumbing emergency can go a long way towards relieving some of that frustration and stress.

By turning off your water and gas supply lines, understanding the problem at hand, minimising the immediate dangers and calling a licensed local plumber, you can reduce the effects of the plumbing emergency, and get it fixed in no time.

Remember to put preventative measures in place too; this will help to keep future plumbing problems to a minimum. When it comes to plumbing emergencies, the best fix is never experiencing them in the first place.

Please note: Thank you for reading our blog “What To Do in a Plumbing Emergency”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.