Plumbing Emergency? What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

By King's Cliff Plumbing · Updated 2026-11-02

Know your shutoffs

The main water valve is usually where the line enters the house, in the basement, crawlspace or garage, or at the meter box near the street. Each toilet and sink has its own valve. Find them now, before you need them in a hurry.

Burst pipe

Shut off the main, open the lowest faucet to drain the lines, and move belongings out of the water. Our emergency burst pipe repair crews carry pipe and fittings for all common materials.

Overflowing toilet

Turn the valve behind the toilet clockwise. If it keeps rising, lift the tank lid and push the flapper down. Don't flush again. Call for clogged drain repair.

Sewer backup or gas smell

Stop using all water during a sewer backup. If you smell gas, leave the house, don't operate switches, call the gas utility, then call us for gas line repair. For everything else, our 24 hour plumbers are one call away at (888) 480-9811.

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