Immediate danger comes first
Gas smell, electrical danger, or a threat to life? Leave the affected area and contact 911 or the appropriate utility from a safe location. Do not wait for a routine plumbing appointment or remain inside to investigate.
A gas smell needs emergency assistance first
If you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and call 911 from a safe location. Notify the gas utility or pipeline operator as directed. Do not remain inside to investigate or wait for a routine plumbing appointment.
Immediate gas-leak safety. Source: PHMSA: Pipeline Leak Recognition and What to Do.
Do not enter water that may contact electrical equipment
Floodwater can contain sewage and conceal electrical or structural hazards. Avoid entering unsafe flooded areas. Have electrical equipment evaluated before it is used again, and follow official cleanup instructions. A plumbing visit alone does not establish that a flooded building is safe to occupy.
Flood safety, not a restoration-service promise. Source: CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home.
For an active water leak
- If safely accessible, use a known private fixture valve or the home’s main water shutoff to stop the water.
- Keep away from standing water near electrical equipment, outlets, or cords.
- Note where water first appears and which fixture was in use. Take photos only from a safe position.
- Call with the service address, ZIP, leak location, and whether the water is still flowing.
Do not operate utility-owned valves, enter unsafe spaces, or open walls to look for a hidden leak.
For a sewer or drain backup
Stop using the affected fixtures, and avoid adding more water if several drains back up together. Keep people and pets away from sewage. A recurring or whole-home backup may need line assessment, not just fixture clearing.
If a public sewer overflow is suspected, follow the actual sewer utility’s reporting instructions as well as arranging assessment of the private plumbing. Public and private responsibilities vary.
For a water-heater problem
Stay clear of escaping hot water. Tell us whether the system is a tank or tankless unit, its fuel type if known, and whether water is leaking around it. Do not attempt gas work, electrical repairs, or pressure-valve changes yourself.
Balance hot-water performance and scald protection
Water-heater temperature decisions need to account for burn risk, household needs, and the manufacturer's instructions. CDC notes that higher storage temperatures used to control germs also increase burn risk and may require thermostatic mixing valves. Have a qualified professional review an unsafe temperature or a heater that is not performing correctly.
General maintenance and safety; not individualized temperature-setting advice. Source: CDC: Preventing Waterborne Germs at Home.
Choose your symptom
What’s happening at home?
Choose the closest match for a useful first step. This is general guidance, not a diagnosis.
A little detail helps.
Select a symptom to see what to note before you call. For an immediate threat to life or safety, contact emergency services.
Keep utility instructions separate from the repair
A plumbing repair does not cancel a water advisory
Follow your water utility's instructions during a drinking-water advisory. Boil-water, do-not-drink, and do-not-use notices require different responses. Boiling does not make water with harmful chemicals safe. A home filter is not a substitute for the precautions in an official advisory.
National advisory categories; current local notices take precedence. Source: CDC: Drinking Water Advisories.
A repair to the home does not cancel an official water advisory, establish flood safety, or confirm that a public main is operating normally. Follow current notices from the supplier serving the address.