How do I know if I have a plumbing emergency? When you spot water pooling unexpectedly, hear the rush of a hidden leak, or face an overflowing toilet that you can’t control, immediate action is critical. Burst pipes and broken fittings can unleash hundreds of gallons in minutes, damaging floors, walls, and belongings, and risking mold growth.
Rooter MD offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services to get help fast. In the meantime, these first steps will help you stop a water leak, contain damage, and prepare vital information before our licensed technicians arrive.
What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives
Before you call for help, taking the right actions yourself can reduce water loss, protect your home, and make repairs faster and more efficiently. Follow these steps and you’ll minimize damage from a burst pipe, overflowing toilet, or any sudden leak.
Step 1–Stay Calm & Assess the Situation
Panicking can lead to mistakes. First, identify the emergency type. A burst pipe usually sprays water from a visible fitting or creates a steady drip in basements and walls. An overflowing toilet will continue filling or gurgling despite repeated flushes.
Active leaks often appear as damp patches on ceilings, walls, or floors near appliances, and can cause massive water damage and mold issues if not corrected immediately.
Once you know what you’re facing, you can choose the correct shut-off valve and containment methods.
- Burst pipe: look for water spraying or pooling at pipe connections.
- Overflowing toilet: note whether the bowl fills uncontrollably or backs up into other drains.
- Active leak: check for damp spots under sinks, behind appliances, or on ceilings.
Step 2–Shut Off the Main Water Valve
Stopping the flow at its source prevents further flooding. Locate your main shut-off where the water supply enters your home, commonly in the garage, basement, or crawlspace. You may see a round wheel valve or a lever-style ball valve.
For a wheel valve, turn it clockwise until snug; avoid overtightening. For a lever valve, rotate it 90 degrees so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe. After closing, open a nearby faucet to relieve any remaining pressure and confirm the water has stopped flowing.
Step 3–Close Fixture-Specific Valves
If you need water elsewhere in the house or the main shut-off is hard to reach, isolate only the affected fixture by closing its local valve.
- Toilet: Find the small valve on the wall behind or beside the base and turn it clockwise until the water stops.
- Sink & Appliances: Under sinks, turn both the hot and cold angle stops clockwise. Shut the braided-hose valves behind washing machines and dishwashers.
- Outdoor Spigots: Close the hose bib by rotating the handle until tight, or shut off the irrigation manifold valve for sprinkler leaks.
Step 4–Contain & Minimize Water Damage
As soon as the water flow stops, focus on limiting its spread. Place buckets or pans under drips, and use towels or rags to soak up shallow pools. If water is seeping under doors, roll up old towels as makeshift dams. For larger breaches, ike a burst pipe in a utility room, bags of kitty litter can help divert water away from walls and electrical outlets. Lift rugs and move furniture to a dry area, propping legs on blocks or plastic cups to prevent wood damage and staining.
Step 5–Relieve Pressure & Drain Remaining Water
Even after shutting off valves, water trapped in pipes and fixtures can cause flooding when disturbed. Open all faucets, hot and cold, at sinks and tubs to drain residual water. Flush toilets once to clear the bowl and cistern, then leave the lids up to let the tank empty. Locate low points such as basement floor drains or laundry room outlets, and hose them to drain any standing liquid.
Step 6–Address Electrical Hazards
Water near outlets, switch plates, or appliances requires caution. If water has reached electrical components, cut power at the main breaker before proceeding. Use a dry broom handle or non-conductive tool to move cords and devices away from puddles; never touch waterlogged outlets directly.
If you smell burning or see sparks, evacuate the area and call your utility provider or an electrician before re-entering.
Step 7–Contact Emergency Plumbing Services
With immediate threats contained, call Rooter MD’s 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Our dispatch team will confirm your address, assess the situation over the phone, and send a licensed technician, often within an hour.
Providing details about your steps so far helps us arrive prepared with the right tools and replacement parts to restore your system quickly.
Step 8–Gather Essential Information
While you wait, compile key details to expedite diagnosis and repair:
- Exact location and type of emergency (burst pipe, overflowing toilet, leak under sink)
- Estimated start time and duration of the leak
- Water meter reading before and after the incident
- Make and model of the affected fixture or appliance
- Photos or videos of the damage for documentation and insurance purposes
Having this information ready ensures our technician can hit the ground running and minimizes your total downtime.
Trust Rooter MD for Emergency Plumbing Services
Rooter MD combines rapid 24/7 dispatch with licensed, background-checked technicians who arrive fully equipped for any plumbing emergency.
We cover all Michigan service areas, from Detroit’s suburbs to Ann Arbor’s historic districts, ensuring fast response for burst pipes, overflowing toilets, and hidden leaks.
Leading Emergency Plumbing Help in Michigan
Our licensed team documents every step, files insurance paperwork if needed, and ensures your home is dry and secure before we leave. Contact us online or at 248-888-7777 to let us know how we can help.
