Emergency plumbing

Step 1: Shut the water off

Every Las Vegas house has a main shut-off valve. On most homes it is on the front or side exterior wall near the hose bib, often inside a small box or behind a cover, with a lever or round handle. Turn the lever a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe, or turn the round handle clockwise until it stops. If you cannot find it or it will not turn, the curb stop at the meter box near the street can be closed with a meter key or a large adjustable wrench. Turn it a quarter turn.

If the leak is at one fixture, close the small valve under the sink or behind the toilet first and leave the main on.

Step 2: Kill power near the water

If water has reached outlets, the water heater, or any appliance, switch off those circuits at the breaker panel before you walk through it. Do not stand in water and touch anything electrical.

Step 3: Open the lowest tap

Open a tap at the lowest point in the house, usually an outside hose bib, to drain pressure from the lines. The leak slows to a trickle within a minute.

Step 4: Call

Call (702) 996-3289 and say three things: water is off, where the water was coming from, and whether it reached the ceiling, the electrical panel, or the water heater. The plumber decides what to bring.

Step 5: Protect what you can

Move rugs and furniture off wet floors, put foil or plastic under furniture legs, and open cabinet doors under a leaking sink. Photograph the damage before cleaning for any insurance claim. Do not use a shop vac on water near electrical.

What counts as an emergency

Any active leak you cannot stop, a burst pipe, a water heater dumping water, sewage backing up into a tub or shower, no water at all, or a gas smell near the water heater. A slow drain or a dripping tap can wait for business hours and will cost less then.