Emergency Plumbing: What To Do Before Help Arrives
In a plumbing emergency, the first ten minutes matter most. Stopping the water and keeping everyone safe will limit damage far more than anything else. If anyone is in danger, or water is in contact with electricity, call 911. If you smell gas, leave the home and call Enbridge Gas or 911 from outside.
Step-by-step
- Make sure everyone is safe and away from water near electrical equipment.
- Shut off the main water valve.
- Turn off the water heater (gas to ‘pilot’ or ‘off’; electric at the breaker) if it's leaking or the house is drained.
- Open a cold tap on the lowest floor to drain pressure.
- Stop using drains if sewage is backing up.
- Move valuables and electronics off the floor.
- Photograph damage before cleaning up.
- Contact your insurer and request plumbing help.
What not to do
- Don't walk through water that may be touching outlets or cords.
- Don't use open flames to thaw pipes.
- Don't pour chemical drain cleaners into a backed-up system.
- Don't keep flushing a toilet that's overflowing.
Build an emergency kit
- Flashlight
- Adjustable wrench
- Towels and buckets
- Wet-dry vacuum
- Rubber gloves and boots
- Phone numbers for your insurer and utilities
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