1. Stop the water
Almost every plumbing emergency gets better the moment the water stops:
- For one fixture (toilet, sink, water heater), close its individual shutoff valve — usually on the wall or floor right behind or below it. Turn clockwise (“righty-tighty”).
- For a burst pipe or major flood, go straight to the home’s main shutoff and close it. This stops water to the entire house.
Find your main shutoff now, before you need it. In most Northern Virginia homes it’s where the water line enters the house — often in the basement, a utility closet, or near the water heater. Some homes also have a shutoff in a ground-level box outside near the street. Knowing where yours is can save you thousands in damage.
2. Turn off the water heater (if it’s involved)
If the emergency involves your water heater, or you’ve shut off the main, turn the heater off so it doesn’t run dry and damage itself. For an electric unit, switch off its breaker. For a gas unit, set the control to “pilot” or “off.”
3. Kill the power to wet areas
Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If water is near outlets, appliances, or a breaker panel, switch off electricity to that area at the breaker — but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. If you can’t do it safely, stay clear and tell the plumber when they arrive.
4. Contain and limit the damage
- Move furniture, rugs, electronics, and valuables away from the water.
- Put down towels or a bucket to catch active drips.
- Open a drain at a lower level if a backup is rising, so it has somewhere to go.
- For a sewage backup, keep people and pets away — it’s a health hazard.
5. Relieve pressure
After shutting the main, open a faucet at the lowest point in the house (like a basement or outdoor spigot) to drain the remaining water in the lines and relieve pressure. This reduces how much water keeps coming from a break upstairs.
6. Call your plumber — and when to leave first
Once the water is off and the area is safe, call us. We answer 24/7 and will walk you through anything you’re unsure about. One exception: if you smell gas near a gas water heater or appliance, don’t flip switches or look for the source — leave the house, then call the gas company and us from outside.
One less worry: no surprise pricing
A plumbing emergency is stressful enough without wondering what the bill will be. An after-hours visit includes a call-out fee to come out and diagnose — which differs from a standard daytime visit — and the repair itself is quoted upfront. So you’ll know the full price before any work begins and can focus on protecting your home.
Have a plumbing emergency in Northern Virginia right now? Call (703) 832-9090 — we’re available 24/7 — or learn about our emergency service.