Plumbing Emergency? 5 Steps to Take in the First 5 Minutes

When a plumbing emergency hits — a burst pipe spraying water across your laundry room, a toilet overflowing onto hardwood floors, or a water heater rupturing at midnight — what you do in the first five minutes determines whether you're dealing with a minor cleanup or a five-figure disaster.

At The Water Works, we respond to plumbing emergencies across the Greater Sacramento area 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We've seen what happens when homeowners act fast — and what happens when they panic. Here are the five steps to take in the first five minutes of a plumbing emergency, before we arrive.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

This is the single most important step, and it needs to happen in seconds, not minutes. Every minute water flows is a minute of damage.

If the leak is at a single fixture — a toilet, sink, or washing machine — shut off the water at the fixture's shutoff valve. These are usually small knobs on the wall behind or under the fixture. Turn clockwise to close.

If the leak is from a pipe or you can't find a local shutoff — go straight to your home's main water shutoff valve. This is usually located where the water line enters your home — in a garage, basement, crawl space, or near the water meter. If you don't know where yours is, find it now, before an emergency. We wrote a guide to finding your main water shutoff valve that walks you through it in 60 seconds.

If the valve is stuck (common in older homes), use a wrench — but don't force it to the point of breaking it. If you truly can't shut it off, call us immediately and we'll walk you through it or dispatch a technician.

Step 2: Shut Off the Water Heater (If It's Involved)

If your emergency involves the water heater — a leak, a rupture, or you've shut off the main water supply — you need to shut down the water heater too. Running a water heater with no water supply can damage the heating element and create a dangerous pressure buildup.

For a gas water heater: Turn the gas valve to "off" or "pilot." Then shut off the cold water supply line to the tank (there should be a valve on the pipe above the unit).

For an electric water heater: Flip the breaker for the water heater at your electrical panel. Then shut off the cold water supply.

If your water heater is the source of the leak — rust, sediment, or a failed valve are common causes — you'll likely need water heater repair or replacement. Don't attempt to drain or repair it yourself; the risk of scalding and further damage is too high.

Step 3: Contain the Damage

Once the water is off, focus on minimizing damage. Water spreads fast — it seeps under baseboards, into subflooring, and down through ceiling cavities.

• Grab towels, mops, and buckets. Soak up standing water as quickly as possible.
• Move furniture and belongings out of the affected area, especially anything that absorbs water — rugs, cardboard boxes, books, and electronics.
• Lift furniture onto blocks or foil if you can't move it, to prevent water wicking up the legs.
• Open windows and doors to improve airflow. If it's safe, set up fans to start drying wet areas.
• Take photos of the damage and the source of the leak. You'll need these for insurance.

If water has reached electrical outlets, switches, or your electrical panel, don't step in the water. Shut off power at the breaker for the affected area if you can reach the panel safely, and call an electrician.

Step 4: Call a Licensed Emergency Plumber

Once the water is off and the immediate damage is contained, call a licensed plumber. Not a general handyman — a licensed plumber. California requires a C-36 plumbing license for any work involving water supply, drain, waste, and vent systems. The Water Works is CSLB licensed (#862309) and insured.

When you call, be ready to describe:

• What happened (burst pipe, overflowing toilet, water heater leak, etc.)
• Where the problem is (which room, which fixture)
• What you've done so far (water shut off? power off?)
• Whether water is still actively flowing

This helps us dispatch with the right tools and prioritize based on severity. We serve all of Greater Sacramento — Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Rocklin, Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and surrounding areas — with a typical response time of 60–90 minutes for emergencies.

Step 5: Document Everything for Insurance

If the damage is significant enough to involve your homeowner's insurance, documentation matters. Sudden and accidental water damage is typically covered; gradual damage from a slow leak usually isn't. Your documentation should include:

• Photos and video of the damage, the source of the leak, and the affected areas (walls, floors, ceilings, belongings)
• The source of the water — if you can identify it, photograph it before anything is moved or repaired
• A written timeline of what happened and when, including when you shut off the water and when you called a plumber
• Receipts for any emergency repairs, cleanup, or hotel stays if your home is uninhabitable

Don't throw anything away — damaged items may need to be inspected by an adjuster. And don't make permanent repairs until your insurance company has assessed the damage.

Common Plumbing Emergencies (and What to Do)

Burst Pipe

Shut off the main water supply immediately. Turn on a faucet at the lowest point in the house (usually an outdoor spigot or a basement sink) to drain the remaining water from the pipes. This reduces the amount of water that can leak and relieves pressure. Call for emergency plumbing right away.

Overflowing Toilet

If the toilet is about to overflow, remove the tank lid and lift the float ball or cup to stop water from filling the tank. Then shut off the toilet's supply valve (behind the toilet). Plunge the bowl to clear the obstruction. If it won't clear, don't keep flushing — you'll make it worse. Call us.

Sewage Backup

This is the most hazardous emergency. If sewage backs up into your tubs, sinks, or floor drains, don't use any plumbing in the house. Sewage contains bacteria and pathogens. Shut off the main water, keep everyone (including pets) away from affected areas, and call us immediately. Sewage backups often indicate a sewer line blockage that requires professional equipment to clear.

No Hot Water

Not always an emergency, but if you wake up to a cold shower and a leaking water heater, shut off the water heater (gas or electric) and the cold water supply to the tank. A leaking water heater can fail catastrophically — the tank can rupture and flood the area. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may be at the end of its lifespan. Check out our guide to water heater warning signs to catch problems before they become emergencies.

The Best Emergency Is the One You Prevent

Most plumbing emergencies are preventable with regular maintenance. Know where your shutoff valves are. Watch for slow drains, dripping faucets, and water pressure changes. Have your water heater inspected annually. And don't ignore a small leak — it won't fix itself.

If you're in the Greater Sacramento area and you're dealing with a plumbing emergency right now, call The Water Works at (916) 290-4500. We're available 24/7, and we'll be there fast. You can also request a service call for non-emergency issues.