Step 1: Shut Off the Water
This is the single most important thing you can do. Every second water flows from a burst pipe or major leak, it's causing more damage.
- Know your main shutoff location: In most Southwest Florida homes, the main water shutoff is near the front of the house, often near the water meter by the street or on an exterior wall
- Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) to shut off water to the entire house
- For localized issues: Use individual shutoff valves under sinks, behind toilets, or near water heaters to isolate the problem without cutting water to the whole house
Step 2: Turn Off Your Water Heater
If you've shut off the main water supply, turn off your water heater to prevent damage. Running a water heater without water flow can cause overheating.
- Gas water heaters: Turn the thermostat to "Pilot" or "Off"
- Electric water heaters: Switch off the breaker at your electrical panel
Step 3: Open Faucets to Drain Remaining Water
After shutting off the main water, open a few faucets (both hot and cold) to drain any remaining water from the pipes. This reduces pressure and minimizes additional leaking.
Step 4: Contain the Water
Use towels, buckets, and mops to contain standing water. The faster you remove water from floors, the less chance of structural damage, mold growth, and ruined belongings.
- Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the water
- Place buckets under active drips
- Use towels or old blankets to create barriers directing water toward drains
Step 5: Document Everything
Before you start major cleanup, take photos and video of the damage. Your homeowner's insurance will need documentation to process a claim. Photograph the source of the leak, any water damage to floors, walls, and belongings.
Step 6: Call C&S Plumbing
Once you've contained the immediate emergency, call 833-PLUMB-IT for 24/7 emergency plumbing service. We serve Cape Coral, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and all of Southwest Florida with rapid emergency response.
Our emergency team will:
- Arrive as quickly as possible (typically within 1-2 hours in our service area)
- Identify and fix the source of the problem
- Help you understand next steps for any water damage restoration
- Provide upfront pricing before any work begins
Prevent Future Emergencies
The best plumbing emergency is one that never happens. Regular maintenance, timely repiping of aging systems, and annual plumbing inspections can prevent most emergencies before they start.
Schedule a plumbing inspection to identify potential problems before they become emergencies.