Not every plumbing problem is an emergency, but when one actually is, what you do in the first few minutes matters. Here's a practical rundown of what qualifies as urgent and what to do while you wait for help.

What Actually Counts as a Plumbing Emergency

Some situations can wait for a scheduled appointment. Others can't. Generally, these count as urgent:

  • An active, ongoing leak or a burst pipe
  • No water at all throughout the house
  • Sewage backing up into a sink, tub, or floor drain
  • A suspected gas leak (see below — this is different from other emergencies)
  • Flooding from a failed water heater or supply line

A slow drip, a running toilet, or a minor clog is worth fixing soon, but it usually isn't an emergency in the same sense.

First Steps for a Water-Related Emergency

1. Find your main water shutoff valve

Most homes have a main shutoff valve near where the water line enters the house — often in a garage, utility closet, or basement. If you don't know where yours is, it's worth locating it before you ever need it in a hurry.

2. Shut off the water if you can do so safely

Turning off the main valve stops the source, even if the leak itself hasn't been found yet.

3. Address electrical safety

If water is pooling near outlets, switches, or appliances, avoid that area and don't touch anything electrical until it's dry or a professional has checked it.

4. Call for help and describe what's happening

The more specific you can be — where the water is coming from, how fast, whether it's hot or cold — the better a plumber can advise you before they even arrive.

If You Suspect a Gas Leak, This Is Different

A gas leak is not a "shut off the water and wait" situation. If you smell a sulfur or rotten-egg odor, or hear hissing near a gas line or appliance:

  • Leave the area immediately
  • Do not flip light switches, use your phone inside the house, or create any spark or flame
  • Get to a safe distance before calling for help

Read more on our emergency gas line repair page.

What to Do Next

Once the immediate situation is under control — water shut off, area safe — call a plumber and describe exactly what happened. If you're in Richardson, TX and dealing with a plumbing emergency right now, we're happy to help you figure out the next step over the phone.