5 Emergency Plumbing Situations—And What to Do Before We Arrive

The expert plumbers at Rocketman Plumbing have probably seen every plumbing emergency in existence. Burst pipes in the middle of the night, exploding water heaters—fortunately, we have a solution for just about every problem. When you call us with a plumbing emergency, we’ll have one of our technicians headed your way promptly. What you do while you wait can make a big difference in how much damage occurs or how much cleanup you have to do! Knowing what to do can downgrade a disaster to an inconvenience if you move fast. 

Keep this list around your house so you know what to do when these common problems strike your home! 

• Burst Pipes: A burst pipe tops the list of plumbing emergencies, especially during cold Albuquerque winters. During freezing weather, pipes can crack or rupture, unleashing gallons of water into your home.

What to do before we arrive:

1. Shut off your main water supply immediately. Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve—typically found near the water meter, along an exterior wall, in the crawl space, or under the bathroom/kitchen sink. Turning it off stops the flow of water and limits flooding. NOTE: Some homes do not have a shut off valve and the water may need to be shut off at the water meter by the street, and a water meter key would be required. If a homeowner does not have access to a key, they could call the City Water Authority.
2. Quickly turn on nearby faucets. This relieves remaining pressure inside your pipes and helps drain the system.
3. Turn off electricity in affected areas. If water has reached outlets or appliances, find your breaker box and cut power to that area of the home to prevent electrical hazards.
4. Soak up standing water. Use towels or a wet/dry vacuum to contain the mess as much as possible before we get there.

Even a small crack in a pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water per day, so call Rocketman Plumbing immediately. We’ll identify the pipe, assess water damage, and make repairs to restore normal pressure and flow.

• Clogged or Overflowing Toilet: Few plumbing problems cause as much panic as an overflowing toilet. It’s messy, unsanitary, and urgent. While the cause could be as simple as a toilet tissue blockage, it could be as complicated as a blocked sewer line. Until we can get there and diagnose the problem, take these quick steps to limit the damage.

What to do before we arrive:

1. Turn off the water supply to the toilet. Look behind the toilet for a small shut-off valve near the base. Turn it clockwise to stop the flow of water.
2. Don’t try flushing the toilet again. Flushing only adds more water to the bowl, which can lead to even more overflow.
3. Use a flange plunger (the kind with a narrow rubber flap that extends below the main cup) gently. Press it into the toilet to form a tight seal. Give it a few calm, steady pushes. Avoid overly forceful plunging, which can cause more damage.
4. Protect nearby surfaces. Lay down old towels or rags to soak up water. This helps keep water from seeping into flooring or baseboards.

If the toilet backs up repeatedly or multiple drains have the same problem, it’s more likely that there’s a blocked sewer line. We can scope the line and find the exact location of the blockage, which means your repair can be done quickly and economically.

• Leaking Water Heater: A leaking water heater not only wastes water, it can also create dangerous electrical conditions. The leak could result from a faulty valve, corroded tank, or failing connection.

What to do before we arrive:

1. Shut off the cold-water inlet. The water inlet valve is located at the top of the tank. Turn it clockwise to stop water flow into the heater.
2. Turn off the power source. For electric heaters, this means switching off the power at the circuit breaker. For gas models, turn the thermostat control to the “off” position and close the gas supply valve.
3. Check where the leak is coming from. Leaks at the top often indicate a loose pipe connection. Leaks at the bottom may mean tank corrosion, which generally requires replacement of the whole appliance.
4. Drain the tank slightly if water is pooling heavily. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve near the base and run the hose to a floor drain or outdoors.

Water heaters operate under high temperature and pressure, so avoid dismantling or tightening fittings yourself. Rocketman Plumbing’s experienced technicians will help you get your hot water back fast.

• Sewer Line Backup: If you notice multiple drains in your home—including sinks, showers, and toilets—gurgling, draining slowly, or backing up all at the same time, you are probably facing a sewer line issue. In Albuquerque, tree roots, shifting soil, and pipe corrosion are common culprits.

What to do before we arrive:

1. Avoid flushing toilets, running sinks, or using the washing machine. Any new water entering the system can just push more wastewater into your home.
2. Keep people and pets away from any contaminated water. Contaminated water can contain bacteria and pathogens from sewage.
3. Ventilate the area. Open windows to reduce odors and humidity.
4. Do not use drain cleaners or chemicals. Chemical products can worsen blockages or damage pipes further.
5. If you have sewer line cleanouts in your yard, you can remove a cap and this would relieve the pressure and stop backups inside the house.

Rocketman Plumbing uses specialized equipment like sewer cameras and hydro-jetting tools to locate and clear stubborn blockages, safely restoring sanitation and flow.

• Major Drain or Sink Blockage: A single drain clog may seem minor until you get water backing up into your sink or bathtub. Kitchen sinks get clogged by grease and food waste. Bathroom drains fill up with hair and soap scum.

What to do before we arrive:

1. Prevent additional overflow by turning off any water flow into the sink or tub.
2. Try a plunger or a drain snake. Plunging may help dislodge soft clogs. If you use a hand-crank drain snake, insert it carefully to avoid damaging the pipes. This could handle your problem with no need for a plumber.
3. Clean the area around the drain, removing debris or visible buildup near the drain opening.
4. One thing NOT to do: Don’t use chemical drain openers, which can create toxic fumes and corrode plumbing, especially older plumbing.

If you’re seeing frequent clogs, you may have more serious problems with your main sewer line. Rocketman Plumbing can diagnose the basic cause and clear your system using professional-grade equipment that’s both safe and effective.

Rocketman Plumbing Is Ready to Help Albuquerque Homeowners

We know that many plumbing emergencies just won’t wait, especially when you have guests or holiday parties! Call us and count on our ethical, well-trained staff and fast response. We want to get you up and running as quickly as possible.

Call us as soon as a plumbing emergency strikes your home anywhere in the Albuquerque area! Or when you need new fixtures, inspections or maintenance. We’re ready to roll 24 hours a day. Call 5055910899!