What to Do When You Have a Plumbing Emergency in Northwest Arkansas

A plumbing emergency does not wait for a convenient moment. Pipes burst during the holidays. Water heaters fail on Sunday evenings. Sewer lines back up when you have a house full of people. When something goes seriously wrong with your plumbing, the decisions you make in the first few minutes can mean the difference between a manageable repair and a costly water damage situation. All Calls Plumbing offers 24-hour emergency plumbing services throughout Northwest Arkansas.

Step One: Shut Off the Water

The single most important thing you can do in any plumbing emergency involving active water flow is to stop the flow as quickly as possible. For a localized problem like a burst pipe under a sink or a failing supply line to a toilet or appliance, look for the shutoff valve directly on that fixture or line and turn it clockwise to close it. If the localized shutoff is not accessible or the problem is more widespread, go to the main shutoff valve for the house. In most Northwest Arkansas homes, this is located near where the main water line enters the house, often in a utility room, garage, or crawl space. Knowing where this valve is before an emergency happens is worth a few minutes of your time today.

Step Two: Turn Off the Water Heater

If you have shut off the main water supply, turn off your water heater as well. A tank water heater that continues to heat without water flowing through the system can overheat and cause additional damage. If you have a gas water heater, set it to pilot mode. If it is electric, switch it off at the breaker.

Step Three: Assess and Document

Once the water is off and the immediate emergency is stabilized, take a few minutes to document what you are seeing. Photos and videos of the damage are useful for insurance purposes and also help your plumber arrive with a better understanding of the situation before they walk through the door. Note where the water appeared to be coming from, how quickly it was flowing, and whether you noticed any signs leading up to the problem, such as low pressure, unusual sounds, or discoloration.

Step Four: Call a Plumber, Not a Handyman

Plumbing emergencies require a licensed plumber, not a general handyman or a neighbor with some tools. Water damage moves fast, and the underlying cause of an emergency is not always as straightforward as it appears. What looks like a single burst pipe may involve corroded fittings, water pressure problems, or frozen pipe damage at multiple points along the line. David Lamproe and his team are available when you need them, not just during standard business hours.

Common Plumbing Emergencies We Handle

A few situations account for most of the emergency calls we get across Northwest Arkansas.

• Burst or leaking pipes, particularly during the winter months when pipes in exterior walls or uninsulated crawl spaces are at risk of freezing.
• Sewer line backups, which require immediate attention. If wastewater is coming up through floor drains or toilets throughout the house, do not run any water and call a plumber right away.
• Water heater failures that result in leaking or flooding around the unit, especially if it is located in a finished area of the home.
• Overflowing toilets that will not stop, which can often be managed temporarily by shutting off the supply valve, but should still be assessed by a plumber to check whether water reached the subfloor.

What Not to Do

A few habits make emergencies worse, not better.

• Do not try to patch a burst pipe with tape or sealant as a long-term fix. These materials are not rated for water pressure and will fail.
• Do not run water anywhere in the house until you understand the scope of the problem. A sewer backup, in particular, can worsen quickly if additional water is added to an already overwhelmed line.
• Do not wait to call. Water damage compounds by the hour, and early intervention is almost always significantly less expensive than the alternative.