What to do in a plumbing emergency

When water is pouring where it shouldn't, the most important work happens before any plumber arrives — in the first five minutes, by you. Knowing where your shutoffs are and what to do in what order is the difference between a mop-up and a remodel. Print this one mentally; you'll want it before you need it.

Every home has a main water shutoff — usually near the front of the house, in the garage, or by the water meter at the street. Go find yours today, before anything happens, and make sure the valve actually turns. A shutoff you can't operate is decoration.

When something bursts: shut the main valve first, then open a faucet at the lowest point in the house to drain pressure out of the lines. If a water heater is involved, shut off its supply valve too — and for a gas unit, turn the gas control to pilot or off. Then move valuables, rugs, and electronics out of the water's path, and call a plumber.

• Main water shutoff: The big one. Usually a gate or ball valve where the water line enters the house, or at the meter box by the street. Turn it clockwise to close. Test it now — old gate valves seize.
• Water heater supply valve: On the cold-water line into the top of the heater. If the heater itself is leaking, close this and the leak stops even with the main on.
• Fixture shutoffs: The little valves under every sink and behind every toilet. A supply-line burst at one fixture can be stopped here without killing water to the whole house.
• Gas shutoff: If you smell gas or a gas appliance is involved, leave the area and call the gas utility or 911 from outside first. Know where the main gas valve is, but never hunt for it in a dangerous situation.