What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives During a Water Emergency
Shut off your main water valve first, then cut power to any outlets or appliances near standing water if you can do so safely. Move valuables away from the affected area, start containing water with towels or buckets, and take photos for insurance before cleanup begins. Don’t use electrical switches or outlets in a flooded area.
Step 1: Shut Off the Water
Find your home’s main shutoff valve and turn it fully clockwise. In most houses it’s near where the water line enters the building — a basement wall, a crawlspace, or a utility closet. If you can’t isolate the whole house, at least shut off the valve feeding the specific fixture that’s failing (most toilets, sinks, and washing machines have their own local shutoff).
Step 2: Cut Power Near Standing Water
Water and electricity are a serious shock hazard. If water is pooling anywhere near an outlet, appliance, or your water heater, shut off power to that circuit at the breaker panel — don’t reach into standing water to unplug anything. If the breaker panel itself is in the flooded area, leave it alone and wait for a professional.
Step 3: Contain the Damage and Document It
Move valuables and furniture
Get anything you can lift out of the affected area before it’s damaged further.
Start containing water
Towels, buckets, and a wet/dry vacuum (if you have one and it’s safe to use) limit how far the water spreads.
Take photos and video now
Document the damage before cleanup starts — this matters if you file a homeowner’s insurance claim.
Open a window if it’s safe
Some airflow helps limit humidity buildup while you wait, especially in a finished basement.
What Not to Do While You Wait
Don’t flip switches or plug/unplug anything in a wet area. Don’t attempt to repair a gas line or gas appliance yourself — if you smell gas, leave the house and call your utility’s emergency line before calling us. And don’t pour chemical drain cleaner into a backed-up drain hoping to fix it before we arrive; it rarely works on a real backup and can make the eventual repair more hazardous for the technician.
Older Homes Can Make This Harder — Know Your Shutoff Before You Need It
In Belleville’s historic neighborhoods — Old Belleville, Signal Hill, and the surrounding historic districts — original plumbing layouts often tucked the main shutoff valve somewhere non-obvious: behind a finished basement wall, under a stairwell, or in a crawlspace addition. If you live in an older home, it’s worth locating your shutoff valve today, before an emergency, rather than searching for it for the first time while water is spreading.
Newer homes in Shiloh and O’Fallon typically have shutoffs in more standardized, accessible locations, but it’s still worth confirming yours before you need it in a hurry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is my home’s main water shutoff valve usually located?
Most commonly near where the water line enters the house — a basement, crawlspace, or utility closet on the street-facing side of the home. Older homes can have less standard locations, so it’s worth locating yours ahead of time.
Is it safe to use a wet/dry vacuum during a water emergency?
Yes, as long as the vacuum and outlet you’re plugging it into aren’t sitting in standing water themselves. If there’s any doubt, skip it and wait for help.
Should I try to fix a burst pipe myself before the plumber arrives?
No — focus on shutting off water and power, containing the damage, and staying safe. A temporary DIY pipe fix under pressure often fails and can make the situation worse.
Do I need to be home when the emergency plumber arrives?
Yes, someone needs to be present to grant access and describe what happened, unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
Already dealing with a water emergency? Stop reading and call — same/next-day emergency plumbing across the Belleville, IL Metro East. (866) 471-4088.
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