Emergency Plumber in Winston-Salem, NC

First five minutes: stop the water

1. Close the main shut-off. In crawlspace homes it is usually where the supply line comes through the foundation, often on the side of the house facing the street. In basement homes, look on the front wall near the floor. Newer homes sometimes have it in a garage, utility closet or near the water heater. There is also a valve at the meter box near the street that the homeowner can turn with a meter key. See our guide to finding your shut-off.
2. Turn off power to anything the water is reaching, but only if you can get to the breaker without standing in water.
3. Shut off the water heater if the main is off for more than a short time: switch off the breaker for an electric heater, or turn a gas heater's control to "pilot."
4. Open a faucet at the lowest point of the house to drain pressure and the water left in the pipes.
5. Move valuables and take photos before cleanup for any insurance claim.

What counts as a plumbing emergency

• A burst or split pipe. Common after a hard freeze in crawlspaces and along exterior walls. See frozen and burst pipes.
• Sewage backing up into a tub, shower or floor drain. Stop using water in the house.
• A water heater leaking from the tank or the relief valve discharging continuously.
• An overflowing toilet that will not stop: close the valve behind it.
• No water at all when neighbors have water: a frozen or broken service line, or a closed valve.
• Gas smell near a gas water heater or appliance: that is a gas utility emergency first. Leave the house and call from outside.

A dripping faucet, a slow sink or a running toilet is annoying but rarely an emergency; close the fixture's valve and plan a normal repair.

Sewer backup? Call the utility too

If your home is on Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities sewer, call City Link at 311 or 336-727-8000 right away. Utility staff check whether the blockage is in the portion of your service line inside the public right-of-way and clear it if it is. If it is on the private side, you will need a plumber, and the utility's policy asks that the line be cleared all the way to the main and camera-inspected (WSFC Utilities, Sewer Backup Policy & Responsibilities). Call before cleanup if you think the utility's main caused it, so a possible reimbursement claim is not affected.

Cleanup and safety after water damage

• Sewage water carries bacteria. Keep children and pets away, wear gloves and boots, and throw away porous items it soaked.
• Clean water from a supply line still needs fast drying. Wet drywall, carpet pad and crawlspace insulation can grow mold within a day or two.
• Run fans and a dehumidifier, open cabinets under sinks, and pull back wet carpet where you can.
• Call your homeowners insurer early. Coverage for sudden pipe bursts differs from long-term leaks and from sewer backups, which often need a separate endorsement.

When you send the form

Choose "Urgent problem (water running now)" and tell us what failed, whether the water is off, and whether there is damage to ceilings, floors or electrical. We'll call you back to talk about next steps. If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, call 911.

Preventing the next emergency

• Learn where your main shut-off is and make sure it turns. Old gate valves often seize; replacing one with a quarter-turn ball valve is a small job.
• Insulate pipes in the crawlspace, close foundation vents in hard freezes, and disconnect hoses before winter (American Red Cross, Frozen Pipes).
• Replace rubber washing-machine hoses with braided lines and check supply lines under sinks and toilets.
• Consider a leak sensor or automatic shut-off valve if you travel or have a finished basement.

Related guides

• How to Find Your Main Water Shut-Off in a Winston-Salem Home
• Who Owns the Sewer Line in Winston-Salem?

Sources: WSFC Utilities, Sewer Backup Policy & Responsibilities; American Red Cross, Frozen Pipes.