Charlotte’s 24/7 Emergency Plumbing: What to Do While You Wait for Help

Whether it’s an annoyance like a lack of hot water or a true emergency like a gas leak, you’ll want to call an emergency plumber in Charlotte right away when urgent plumbing problems strike. But what do you do in the minutes and hours that follow, while you wait for professional help to arrive?

Keep this guide handy for just such an occasion. Up ahead, we’ll give you key tips for when you're in a plumbing crisis and have an expert plumber in Charlotte on their way to you.

Key takeaways for Charlotte’s 24/7 emergency plumbing:

• Know your home’s shut-off valves and breaker box—quick action can stop flooding or protect against electrical hazards before your plumber arrives.
• Simple tools like plungers, augers, and drain snakes can help manage clogs, but skip chemical drain cleaners to avoid damage.
• Safety comes first with hot water outages or suspected gas leaks. Check basic settings, breakers, or pilot lights—but never take risks that require a licensed professional.

Flooding and Overflows

Emergencies like overflowing toilets and burst pipes call for immediate action to prevent as much water damage as possible. These are the basic steps to take when you’re dealing with a water emergency:

First, don’t panic. Your most crucial task is to find the main supply valve and shut it off. This might be outside, near the curb or your hose bib, or it might be inside, likely near your water heater. (If you’re not currently having a plumbing emergency, this is a great time to check where your main water valve is located!) If there’s only one fixture leaking, such as a sink or a toilet, shut off the valve to the fixture itself.

If there are electrical appliances near the water source, cut the power to those areas from your circuit breaker. You might need to cut it for the whole house if you can’t find the right breaker, or if there’s a major threat like a burst pipe.

Start working to prevent further water damage. Use buckets, mops, and towels to divert and/or catch as much of the water as you can. Move furniture and valuables away from the area. If you’re able to get the flow of water under control, start setting up fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area and minimize the chance of mold growth.

Clogged Toilets and Drains

When you’re dealing with a clogged toilet or drain, these steps can potentially help you loosen or even remove the clog before your plumber shows up:

For toilets:

• If the toilet is at risk of overflowing, turn off the supply valve behind the toilet first.
• Try using a toilet plunger to clear the blockage.
• If a plunger doesn’t work, try using a toilet auger (available at hardware stores).

For sinks, tubs, etc.

• Start by using a plunger (NOT the same one you use for your toilet).
• Use a drain snake if the plunger doesn’t work.
• Don’t use a chemical drain cleaner; these rarely tackle the clog effectively and can make a plumber’s work harder.

When you’re dealing with a clog, as long as nothing is overflowing, it usually makes sense to step back and wait for the plumber to arrive once you’ve tried these steps.

No Hot Water

There’s suddenly no hot water in your home—here’s how to handle it while you wait for the plumber:

• First, check the thermostat and make sure it hasn’t accidentally been set too low. Around 120ºF is a good baseline temperature for most water heaters.
• Many water heaters have a reset button. It’s typically red and located in the vicinity of the thermostat panel. Try pushing this button, waiting a few minutes, and then trying your hot water again. (Note that this button is a safety feature that automatically trips when something like a short circuit happens, so don’t press it more than once.)
• If you have a gas water heater, check to see if the pilot light is lit. If the pilot light has gone out, you can try relighting it. Most water heaters include directions for relighting the pilot light, either printed in the manual or on the unit itself, but make sure to follow the instructions exactly. If you don’t feel safe doing it yourself, wait for the plumber.
• If you have an electric water heater, check the breaker box to see whether the circuit has tripped. If it has, turn the switch off, then back on again. If the breaker trips again, leave the water heater alone until the plumber arrives, as you likely have an electrical problem.

Gas Leaks

Yes, believe it or not, these are a plumbing problem, since natural gas comes into your home via pipes. We probably don’t have to tell you that gas leaks are extremely dangerous, and you shouldn’t try to fix one yourself. Instead, do the following:

• Leave the house right away and call your gas company’s emergency line to report a leak. The gas company may send their own technician, or you may need to call a plumber in Charlotte.
• If you have the opportunity to do it safely, turn off the gas supply valve as you’re leaving. This is usually located near your gas meter.
• Most importantly, avoid using any open flames or even turning on electrical switches while a gas leak is happening. (Yes, even something as minor as a light switch engaging can cause a gas explosion under the right conditions.)

When you're facing a plumbing crisis in the Queen City, you need a team you can trust. Since 1935, Roto-Rooter has been trusted and recommended for providing fast and reliable service. If you are facing a plumbing emergency, call our Charlotte plumbing team immediately at 800-768-6911.

Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Plumbing

What is considered a plumbing emergency?

A plumbing emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention to prevent property damage, such as a burst pipe, a leaking water heater, a sewage backup, or a toilet overflow that cannot be stopped.

Will an emergency plumber cost more?

The cost of an emergency plumbing service can vary depending on the time of day and the severity of the problem. However, the cost of waiting to call a professional can be much higher due to the potential for extensive water damage and more complicated repairs.

Why should I not try to fix the problem myself?

Attempting to fix a plumbing emergency without the proper tools and training can lead to further damage, potential injury, or a more expensive repair down the line. A professional plumber can quickly diagnose the issue and use industrial-grade equipment to fix it correctly and safely.