What to Do During a Plumbing Emergency in Sonoma County

A plumbing emergency can strike at any time — a burst pipe at 2 AM, a sewer backup on a Sunday morning, or a gas leak during dinner. Knowing exactly what to do in the first few minutes can prevent thousands of dollars in water damage and keep your family safe. Here is the complete guide for Sonoma County homeowners.

Step 1 — Shut Off the Water Immediately

The very first thing to do in any plumbing emergency involving water is to shut off the supply. Do not wait.

For a localized leak under a sink, behind a toilet, or from a washing machine — find the small shutoff valve directly behind or under the fixture and turn it clockwise until it stops.

For a burst pipe or major leak — go straight to your main water shutoff valve. In most Sonoma County homes this is in the garage, a utility closet, or outside along the side of the house. Turn it clockwise to shut off all water to the home.

If you cannot find or operate the shutoff — call Dejusto Plumbing immediately at (707) 322-9873. We carry tools to access emergency shutoffs and can typically arrive within 30-60 minutes anywhere in Sonoma County.

Step 2 — Turn Off the Water Heater

Once the main water supply is off also turn off your water heater. Running a water heater without water supply can damage the heating elements.

For a gas water heater — turn the dial on the unit to the Pilot setting.
For an electric water heater — go to your breaker panel and flip the water heater circuit breaker to off.

Step 3 — Deal With Standing Water Immediately

Water damage gets worse by the minute. While waiting for the plumber:

• Use towels, mops, or a wet vacuum to remove standing water
• Move furniture, rugs, and valuables off wet floors
• Place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent staining
• Open windows and doors to start drying the area
• Do NOT use a regular household vacuum on standing water

If water has reached electrical outlets, appliances, or your breaker panel — do not enter the area. Call your utility company and wait for emergency services.

Step 4 — Document the Damage for Insurance

Before cleaning up take photos and videos of everything. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover plumbing emergencies and documentation is essential for any claim.

Photograph:

• The source of the leak or burst
• All affected areas and standing water
• Any damaged furniture, flooring, or belongings
• The water meter reading if accessible

Call your insurance company as soon as possible after calling the plumber.

Step 5 — Call a Licensed Emergency Plumber

Do not attempt major plumbing repairs yourself during an emergency. A DIY fix on a burst pipe or sewer backup can make the situation significantly worse.

Call Dejusto Plumbing at (707) 322-9873 any time — day or night. We provide 24/7 emergency plumbing response throughout Sonoma County including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Cotati, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Guerneville, and Forestville.

When you call tell us:

• The type of emergency (burst pipe, sewer backup, gas smell, flooding)
• Whether you have shut off the water
• Your address and the best number to reach you

We will give you an estimated arrival time immediately.

What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?

Not every plumbing problem needs an emergency call. Here is how to tell the difference:

Call immediately (emergency):

• Burst or severely leaking pipe
• Sewer backup or sewage smell inside the home
• Gas smell — leave the house immediately and call 911 first
• Flooding from any plumbing source
• No water to the entire home
• Overflowing toilet that cannot be stopped

Can wait until morning:

• Slow draining sink or tub
• Dripping faucet
• Running toilet
• Minor leak under a sink with a bucket in place

How to Prevent Plumbing Emergencies in Sonoma County

The best plumbing emergency is the one that never happens. Here are the most effective prevention steps for Sonoma County homeowners:

• Know where your main water shutoff valve is before an emergency happens
• Have your water heater inspected annually — especially units over 8 years old
• Schedule a camera inspection of your sewer line every 3-5 years — tree root intrusion is common in Sonoma County’s older neighborhoods
• Insulate exposed pipes before winter — Northern California does get freezing temperatures in Sonoma County’s inland valleys
• Never pour grease, coffee grounds, or wipes down the drain