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A burst pipe, sewage backup, or major leak is one of the most stressful things that can happen in a home. In the first few minutes, panic is understandable — but those first few minutes also determine how much damage you end up dealing with.
The good news: there are a handful of actions any homeowner can take immediately that dramatically reduce water damage, protect your family, and make the plumber's job faster when they arrive. You don't need any tools. You just need to know what to do.
Precision Plumbing & Septic responds to plumbing emergencies across Canton and Cherokee County 24/7. Call (678) 658-3170) and we're on the way. Here's exactly what we tell homeowners to do while we're in route.
Step 1: Locate and Use Your Water Shutoff Valves
This is the single most important action in any plumbing emergency. Stopping the flow of water stops the damage.
Individual fixture shutoffs
Every toilet, sink, dishwasher, and washing machine has its own shutoff valve — usually located under or behind the fixture. For a toilet, it's the oval valve behind the base near the floor. For sinks, look under the cabinet. Turn it clockwise to close.
If the emergency is isolated to one fixture, use the individual shutoff. This keeps water running to the rest of the house while you wait.
Main shutoff valve
If you can't find an individual shutoff, or if the emergency involves the main supply line, use the main shutoff valve. In most Canton-area homes, it's located where the main water line enters the house — typically near the water meter, in the basement, utility room, or crawl space.
If you don't know where yours is right now, find it today. Every adult in the household should know this location before an emergency happens.
If the shutoff is outside
Some homes have the main shutoff at the curb, inside the meter box. You'll need a meter key or channel-lock pliers to turn it. If you can't access it, call (678) 658-3170 — Cody carries the tools to shut off any supply valve on arrival.
Step 2: Turn Off the Water Heater
If you've shut off the main water supply, turn off your water heater as well. Running a water heater without water supply can damage the heating element or cause pressure buildup.
For gas heaters, turn the control knob to "Pilot." For electric water heaters, switch off the breaker at your electrical panel.
Step 3: Open Drains and Faucets
After shutting off the main supply, open the lowest faucet in the house (typically a basement or outdoor spigot) and a few others throughout the home. This relieves pressure in the pipes and drains remaining water away from the break point — reducing the amount of water that ends up in your walls or floors.
Step 4: Address Active Water Damage
While waiting for the plumber, slow down damage from water already in your home:
Move furniture, electronics, and valuables out of wet areas immediately
Place towels or buckets to contain standing water
If water is near electrical panels, outlets, or switches — don't touch the water and leave those areas immediately
Use a wet/dry vacuum if you have one to remove standing water from floors
Open windows and run fans to begin drying
Don't try to dry out walls or flooring yourself until the source of the leak is confirmed fixed. Water inside wall cavities needs professional assessment — saturated insulation and framing must be dried completely to prevent mold.
Step 5: Document the Damage
Before you clean up, take photos and video of the damage. This is important for insurance claims. Photograph the source of the problem, the affected areas, and any belongings that were damaged. Don't discard damaged items until you've documented them.
If you have homeowners insurance, call them promptly after the emergency is stabilized. Most policies cover sudden, accidental water damage — but the claim process requires documentation.
Step 6: Know What NOT to Do
In the middle of a plumbing emergency, well-intentioned actions can make things worse:
Don't use chemical drain cleaners during a sewage backup — they won't help and can splash back dangerously
Don't use electrical fixtures or appliances in flooded areas — water and electricity are a life-threatening combination
Don't try to repair pressurized pipes yourself unless you know exactly what you're doing
Don't pour boiling water on frozen pipes — the thermal shock can crack them
Don't ignore a sewage backup — raw sewage is a serious health hazard that requires professional cleanup
Common Emergencies and Specific Actions
Burst pipe
Shut off the main water supply immediately. Open faucets to drain remaining pressure. Wrap the burst section in a towel to slow dripping while you wait. Call Precision at (678) 658-3170 — we target 60-minute arrival for burst pipe emergencies throughout Cherokee County.
Sewage backup
Don't use any drains in the house. Don't flush toilets. Keep people and pets out of affected areas. Call (678) 658-3170 right away — sewage backup requires immediate attention and usually indicates a blockage in the main line or a failing septic system.
Overflowing toilet
Shut off the individual valve behind the toilet base immediately. If it won't close, remove the tank lid and push the flapper down manually to stop water from refilling. Clean up water promptly and call us if the toilet won't flush normally after the initial overflow is resolved.
Water heater leak
Shut off the cold water supply to the heater (the valve on the cold water inlet pipe at the top of the tank). Turn off the power or gas. If the leak is at the base of the tank, the tank may have failed internally — call Precision for an on-site assessment.
Frozen pipes
If pipes are frozen but haven't burst, apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or heating pad — never an open flame. Start near the faucet and work toward the frozen section. Keep the faucet open so melting water can escape. If you can't locate the freeze point or suspect a burst, call us before attempting to thaw.
How to Prepare Before Emergencies Happen
The best time to prepare is before you need to. Walk through your home with every adult in the household and:
Locate the main water shutoff valve and confirm everyone knows how to operate it
Identify the individual shutoffs for each toilet and under-sink fixture
Locate the water heater shutoff valves
Know the location of your electrical panel
Save (678) 658-3170 in your phone as "Emergency Plumber"
That last one matters more than it sounds. In a real emergency, searching for a plumber's phone number while water is pouring through your ceiling costs you valuable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I call an emergency plumber vs. wait until morning?
Call immediately for: burst pipes, sewage backups, gas leaks (call the gas company first), no water to the whole house, or active flooding. These can't wait. A dripping faucet, a slow drain, or a running toilet can typically wait until regular business hours.
Does Precision Plumbing & Septic respond at night and on weekends?
Yes. We're available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call (678) 658-3170 anytime. Our target is 60-minute arrival for emergencies throughout Cherokee County — nights, weekends, and holidays included.
What should I tell the plumber when I call?
Describe what you're seeing (water, sewage, no pressure), what you've already done (shut off water, turned off heater), and your full address. The more specific you can be, the better we can prepare before we arrive.
Is emergency plumbing covered by homeowners insurance?
Sudden and accidental water damage is usually covered. Gradual leaks that went unaddressed often aren't. Document everything and contact your insurance company as soon as the emergency is stabilized. We can provide documentation of the repairs for your claim.
Ready When You Need Us
In a plumbing emergency, the first five minutes matter most. Shut off the water. Stay away from electrical areas. Document the damage. That's the whole checklist.
The rest is up to us. Precision Plumbing & Septic handles emergency plumbing across Canton and all of Cherokee County, 24 hours a day. Call (678) 658-3170) the moment something goes wrong — we'll be there.
For more on our emergency plumbing services, visit precisionplumbingpros.com/plumbing/emergency-plumbing.
A burst pipe, sewage backup, or major leak is one of the most stressful things that can happen in a home. In the first few minutes, panic is understandable — but those first few minutes also determine how much damage you end up dealing with.
The good news: there are a handful of actions any homeowner can take immediately that dramatically reduce water damage, protect your family, and make the plumber's job faster when they arrive. You don't need any tools. You just need to know what to do.
Precision Plumbing & Septic responds to plumbing emergencies across Canton and Cherokee County 24/7. Call (678) 658-3170) and we're on the way. Here's exactly what we tell homeowners to do while we're in route.
Step 1: Locate and Use Your Water Shutoff Valves
This is the single most important action in any plumbing emergency. Stopping the flow of water stops the damage.
Individual fixture shutoffs
Every toilet, sink, dishwasher, and washing machine has its own shutoff valve — usually located under or behind the fixture. For a toilet, it's the oval valve behind the base near the floor. For sinks, look under the cabinet. Turn it clockwise to close.
If the emergency is isolated to one fixture, use the individual shutoff. This keeps water running to the rest of the house while you wait.
Main shutoff valve
If you can't find an individual shutoff, or if the emergency involves the main supply line, use the main shutoff valve. In most Canton-area homes, it's located where the main water line enters the house — typically near the water meter, in the basement, utility room, or crawl space.
If you don't know where yours is right now, find it today. Every adult in the household should know this location before an emergency happens.
If the shutoff is outside
Some homes have the main shutoff at the curb, inside the meter box. You'll need a meter key or channel-lock pliers to turn it. If you can't access it, call (678) 658-3170 — Cody carries the tools to shut off any supply valve on arrival.
Step 2: Turn Off the Water Heater
If you've shut off the main water supply, turn off your water heater as well. Running a water heater without water supply can damage the heating element or cause pressure buildup.
For gas heaters, turn the control knob to "Pilot." For electric water heaters, switch off the breaker at your electrical panel.
Step 3: Open Drains and Faucets
After shutting off the main supply, open the lowest faucet in the house (typically a basement or outdoor spigot) and a few others throughout the home. This relieves pressure in the pipes and drains remaining water away from the break point — reducing the amount of water that ends up in your walls or floors.
Step 4: Address Active Water Damage
While waiting for the plumber, slow down damage from water already in your home:
Move furniture, electronics, and valuables out of wet areas immediately
Place towels or buckets to contain standing water
If water is near electrical panels, outlets, or switches — don't touch the water and leave those areas immediately
Use a wet/dry vacuum if you have one to remove standing water from floors
Open windows and run fans to begin drying
Don't try to dry out walls or flooring yourself until the source of the leak is confirmed fixed. Water inside wall cavities needs professional assessment — saturated insulation and framing must be dried completely to prevent mold.
Step 5: Document the Damage
Before you clean up, take photos and video of the damage. This is important for insurance claims. Photograph the source of the problem, the affected areas, and any belongings that were damaged. Don't discard damaged items until you've documented them.
If you have homeowners insurance, call them promptly after the emergency is stabilized. Most policies cover sudden, accidental water damage — but the claim process requires documentation.
Step 6: Know What NOT to Do
In the middle of a plumbing emergency, well-intentioned actions can make things worse:
Don't use chemical drain cleaners during a sewage backup — they won't help and can splash back dangerously
Don't use electrical fixtures or appliances in flooded areas — water and electricity are a life-threatening combination
Don't try to repair pressurized pipes yourself unless you know exactly what you're doing
Don't pour boiling water on frozen pipes — the thermal shock can crack them
Don't ignore a sewage backup — raw sewage is a serious health hazard that requires professional cleanup
Common Emergencies and Specific Actions
Burst pipe
Shut off the main water supply immediately. Open faucets to drain remaining pressure. Wrap the burst section in a towel to slow dripping while you wait. Call Precision at (678) 658-3170 — we target 60-minute arrival for burst pipe emergencies throughout Cherokee County.
Sewage backup
Don't use any drains in the house. Don't flush toilets. Keep people and pets out of affected areas. Call (678) 658-3170 right away — sewage backup requires immediate attention and usually indicates a blockage in the main line or a failing septic system.
Overflowing toilet
Shut off the individual valve behind the toilet base immediately. If it won't close, remove the tank lid and push the flapper down manually to stop water from refilling. Clean up water promptly and call us if the toilet won't flush normally after the initial overflow is resolved.
Water heater leak
Shut off the cold water supply to the heater (the valve on the cold water inlet pipe at the top of the tank). Turn off the power or gas. If the leak is at the base of the tank, the tank may have failed internally — call Precision for an on-site assessment.
Frozen pipes
If pipes are frozen but haven't burst, apply gentle heat with a hair dryer or heating pad — never an open flame. Start near the faucet and work toward the frozen section. Keep the faucet open so melting water can escape. If you can't locate the freeze point or suspect a burst, call us before attempting to thaw.
How to Prepare Before Emergencies Happen
The best time to prepare is before you need to. Walk through your home with every adult in the household and:
Locate the main water shutoff valve and confirm everyone knows how to operate it
Identify the individual shutoffs for each toilet and under-sink fixture
Locate the water heater shutoff valves
Know the location of your electrical panel
Save (678) 658-3170 in your phone as "Emergency Plumber"
That last one matters more than it sounds. In a real emergency, searching for a plumber's phone number while water is pouring through your ceiling costs you valuable time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I call an emergency plumber vs. wait until morning?
Call immediately for: burst pipes, sewage backups, gas leaks (call the gas company first), no water to the whole house, or active flooding. These can't wait. A dripping faucet, a slow drain, or a running toilet can typically wait until regular business hours.
Does Precision Plumbing & Septic respond at night and on weekends?
Yes. We're available 24/7, 365 days a year. Call (678) 658-3170 anytime. Our target is 60-minute arrival for emergencies throughout Cherokee County — nights, weekends, and holidays included.
What should I tell the plumber when I call?
Describe what you're seeing (water, sewage, no pressure), what you've already done (shut off water, turned off heater), and your full address. The more specific you can be, the better we can prepare before we arrive.
Is emergency plumbing covered by homeowners insurance?
Sudden and accidental water damage is usually covered. Gradual leaks that went unaddressed often aren't. Document everything and contact your insurance company as soon as the emergency is stabilized. We can provide documentation of the repairs for your claim.
Ready When You Need Us
In a plumbing emergency, the first five minutes matter most. Shut off the water. Stay away from electrical areas. Document the damage. That's the whole checklist.
The rest is up to us. Precision Plumbing & Septic handles emergency plumbing across Canton and all of Cherokee County, 24 hours a day. Call (678) 658-3170) the moment something goes wrong — we'll be there.
For more on our emergency plumbing services, visit precisionplumbingpros.com/plumbing/emergency-plumbing.