What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency: Boise Homeowner’s Checklist

A plumbing emergency can happen at any time—a burst pipe at 3 AM, a sewage backup on a holiday weekend, or a gas smell that sends your family outside. Knowing exactly what to do in those first critical minutes can mean the difference between minor cleanup and catastrophic property damage. This checklist is designed for Boise homeowners and covers the most common plumbing emergencies, step-by-step responses, and when to call a professional.

Step 1: Shut Off the Water

This is the single most important action in any water-related plumbing emergency. Every minute water flows from a broken pipe or fixture, the damage grows exponentially.

Fixture Shut-Off Valves

Most plumbing fixtures have individual shut-off valves nearby:

• Toilets: Oval handle on the wall behind the toilet, near the floor
• Sinks: Under the sink, inside the cabinet (one for hot, one for cold)
• Washing machine: Two valves behind or above the unit
• Water heater: Cold water inlet valve on top of the unit

If the emergency is at a specific fixture, shut off its individual valve first. Turn it clockwise (righty-tighty) until it stops.

Main Water Shut-Off Valve

If you can’t stop the water at the fixture, or if you don’t know where the leak is, shut off the entire house. In most Boise homes, the main shut-off valve is located in one of these places:

• Basement or crawl space: Near the wall closest to the street, where the main water line enters the home
• Utility closet: Often near the water heater in newer homes
• Near the water meter: The meter is usually in a box at the front of your property near the street, with a shut-off valve before and after the meter

Action item: Find your main shut-off valve right now—before you need it. Test it to make sure it turns. If it’s corroded or stuck, have a plumber replace it before an emergency forces the issue.

Gas Shut-Off

If you smell gas (a rotten egg odor), do NOT use light switches, phones, or anything that could create a spark. Leave the house immediately and call Intermountain Gas at 1-800-548-3679 from outside. The gas meter shut-off requires a wrench and is located at the meter on the exterior of your home. Only shut it off yourself if you’ve been trained to do so and it’s safe to approach.

Step 2: Assess the Situation

Once the water is off, take a moment to evaluate what you’re dealing with:

Burst Pipe

• Open all faucets to drain remaining water from the system
• Open cabinet doors to access under-sink areas
• If the burst pipe is visible, place a bucket underneath
• If water is near electrical outlets or your breaker panel, turn off electricity to affected areas from the main panel

Sewage Backup

• Do NOT flush any toilets or run any water
• Keep everyone away from the affected area—sewage contains dangerous bacteria
• Do NOT try to clean raw sewage yourself without proper protective equipment
• Open windows for ventilation if the backup is indoors
• If sewage is backing up through floor drains in the basement, the blockage is likely in your main sewer line

Flooding

• If standing water is near any electrical sources, do NOT walk through it—turn off power at the main breaker first
• Remove valuables and furniture from the affected area if safe to do so
• Use towels, mops, or a wet-dry vacuum to remove standing water
• Begin drying the area with fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible—mold can begin growing within 24–48 hours

Gas Leak

• Leave the house immediately—do not turn on/off any lights or electronics
• Do not start your car if it’s in the garage
• Call Intermountain Gas (1-800-548-3679) and 911 from a safe distance
• Do not re-enter until cleared by the gas company

Step 3: Minimize Damage While Waiting

After shutting off water and assessing the situation, take these steps to reduce damage until a plumber arrives:

1. Move belongings. Remove electronics, documents, and valuables from wet or at-risk areas.
2. Contain the water. Use towels, buckets, and containers to catch or redirect water. Stuff towels around the base of a leaking toilet or under a dripping pipe.
3. Start drying. Run fans, open windows (weather permitting), and use a dehumidifier. The faster you begin drying, the less mold and water damage you’ll face.
4. Document everything. Take photos and video of the damage for your insurance claim. Document the source of the leak, affected areas, and any damaged property.
5. Do NOT attempt major repairs. Temporary fixes like shutting off valves and containing water are appropriate. Attempting to solder a pipe, clear a main sewer line, or repair a water heater without proper training can make the situation worse.

What NOT to Do During a Plumbing Emergency

• Don’t panic. Most plumbing emergencies can be controlled by shutting off the water. The situation feels urgent, but staying calm leads to better decisions.
• Don’t use chemical drain cleaners during a sewage backup. They won’t clear a main line blockage and can make the problem worse or create a hazard for the plumber.
• Don’t ignore a gas smell. Even a faint gas odor requires immediate action—leave and call the gas company.
• Don’t turn on electrical appliances in areas with standing water.
• Don’t wait to call. Water damage escalates by the hour. Even if it’s the middle of the night, calling an emergency plumber now costs far less than the additional damage from waiting until morning.

Is It a True Emergency? (Or Can It Wait?)

Not every plumbing problem needs a 2 AM service call. Here’s how to tell the difference:

True Emergencies (Call Now)

• Burst or broken pipe with active flooding
• Gas leak or gas smell
• Sewage backup into your home
• No water at all (possible main line break)
• Water heater leaking heavily or making unusual sounds
• Frozen pipe that has burst

Can Wait Until Business Hours

• Slow drain (not completely blocked)
• Dripping faucet
• Running toilet (if you can shut off the valve)
• Minor leak that you can contain with a bucket
• Low water pressure (if not caused by a leak)
• Water heater not producing enough hot water (but not leaking)

If you can shut off the water to the affected fixture and the problem isn’t causing active damage, you can usually wait for a regular business hours appointment and avoid emergency rates.

Important Numbers for Boise Homeowners

Building Your Emergency Kit

Keep these items accessible so you’re ready when a plumbing emergency strikes:

• Adjustable wrench (for shut-off valves that are stiff)
• Plunger (one for sinks, one for toilets—they’re different)
• Bucket (to catch water from leaks)
• Old towels or rags (for absorbing water and wrapping leaks)
• Pipe tape (Teflon tape) for temporary leak sealing on threaded connections
• Flashlight (emergencies often happen in dark crawl spaces or at night)
• Plumber’s contact information posted visibly in your home
• Water meter key (a T-shaped tool for accessing your street-side shut-off, available at hardware stores for $10–$15)

After the Emergency: Next Steps

1. Get a professional assessment. Even if the immediate crisis is resolved, have a licensed plumber inspect the affected area to ensure the repair is complete and no secondary damage exists.
2. Contact your insurance company. File a claim promptly and provide documentation (photos, videos, receipts).
3. Address water damage immediately. Wet drywall, insulation, and flooring can develop mold within 24–48 hours. Consider a water damage restoration company for significant flooding.
4. Schedule preventive maintenance. Many plumbing emergencies are preventable with regular inspection and maintenance. Ask your plumber about annual check-ups.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an emergency plumber cost in Boise?

Emergency plumbing rates in Boise typically run $150–$250 per hour, which is 1.5x to 2x the standard rate. Most emergency plumbers also charge a service call or dispatch fee of $75–$150. While this sounds expensive, the cost of waiting—additional water damage, mold remediation, foundation damage—almost always exceeds the after-hours premium. If you can safely shut off the water and the damage isn’t spreading, waiting until regular business hours will save on service rates.

Where is the main water shut-off valve in a Boise home?

In most Boise homes, the main water shut-off valve is located in the basement or crawl space on the wall nearest the street, where the main water line enters the home. In slab-foundation homes without basements, it’s often in a utility closet, garage, or near the water heater. There’s also a shut-off at the water meter box near the street, which requires a meter key to access. We recommend finding and labeling your shut-off valve before an emergency happens.

Should I shut off my water heater during a plumbing emergency?

If you’re shutting off the main water supply for more than a few minutes, you should also turn off your water heater to prevent it from running dry and overheating. For a gas water heater, turn the thermostat to the “pilot” or “vacation” setting. For an electric water heater, flip the dedicated breaker at your electrical panel. Once water is restored, turn the water heater back on. If your water heater itself is the source of the emergency (leaking, making loud noises, or producing discolored water), turn it off and call a plumber. Visit our water heater repair page for more information.

Can a plumbing emergency be prevented?

Many plumbing emergencies are preventable with regular maintenance. Annual plumbing inspections can catch worn-out hoses, corroding pipes, and deteriorating water heater components before they fail. Seasonal maintenance—like winterizing pipes before freezing weather and clearing drains before the holidays—significantly reduces emergency risk. The most common preventable emergencies are burst washing machine hoses (replace every 5 years) and water heater failures (flush annually, replace anode rods every 3–5 years).

Facing a plumbing emergency right now? Hyde Park Plumbing offers 24-hour emergency plumbing service throughout the Boise metro area. Call (208) 994-3745 for immediate assistance—day or night, weekends and holidays included.