Note to readers: This post was updated on July 16, 2026 to update emergency plumbing guidance with current best practices and add links to related plumbing resources. We refreshed the details below so the advice reflects how we approach this work today.
A burst pipe or a sewer line that won’t drain doesn’t wait for business hours. When it happens, what you do in the first ten minutes matters almost as much as who you call.
Burst or leaking pipe
Water damage gets expensive fast, and the priority is stopping the flow, not fixing the pipe yourself. Locate your home’s main water shutoff, usually near the water meter or where the line enters the house, and turn it off completely. That stops the flooding while you wait for a plumber. If the leak is isolated to one fixture, like a supply line under a sink, you may be able to shut off just that fixture’s valve instead of the whole house.
While you wait for the plumber
- Move valuables and electronics to higher ground, away from the water
- Soak up standing water with towels or a wet/dry vac if you have one
- Take photos of the damage for insurance purposes
- Don’t run any additional water until the line is repaired
A plumber can install a temporary cap on a burst section to stop the leak immediately, then schedule the permanent repair. If the damage is significant, ask about restoration companies that specialize in flood cleanup, drying out flooring and drywall quickly matters for preventing mold.
Clogged main line or sewer backup
If water backs up when you flush or run the dishwasher, or multiple drains are slow at once, that’s usually a main line issue, not a single clogged fixture. Stop using water in the house until it’s cleared, since anything you send down the drain has nowhere to go. This is a job for professional equipment, not a store-bought snake.
Dropped something down a drain?
Before assuming it’s gone for good: a telescoping magnet works for iron or steel items, and a flexible grabber tool (available at most hardware stores) can retrieve non-magnetic items like rings or small tools. Insert it into the drain, work it around until you feel contact, then retract the hooks and pull it out slowly. If that doesn’t work, don’t force it further down, call a plumber before it lodges deeper in the line.
Signs it’s a true emergency
- Water you can’t shut off at the fixture level
- Sewage backing up into a tub, shower, or floor drain
- No water pressure anywhere in the house
- Water heater leaking heavily or making unusual noises under pressure
For less urgent issues, our guide on leaky pipe signs, fixes, and when to call a plumber can help you tell the difference between something that can wait and something that can’t.
We’re here 24/7
Western Rooter & Plumbing has answered emergency calls throughout Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley for decades. Know your shutoff valve location before you need it, keep our number saved, and call us at 626-448-6455 any time, day or night.
