Check another faucet
Only one fixture affected? Note which one. If every tap is cold, note when it started and whether there was unusually heavy hot-water use.
A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR YOUR HOME
Tips for
Homeowners
A little know-how can make a big difference. Here’s what to check, what to do first, and when to call a plumber.
By Any Plumbing LLC · Charlotte & Matthews, NC
Updated
Safety first. Stay out of standing water near outlets, appliances, or electrical panels. Keep clear of sagging, water-filled ceilings.
01 / ACT QUICKLY
Water leaking right now?
Your first job is to stop more water from entering the problem area.
- Stop using the fixture. For a sink or toilet supply leak, gently close its local water valve if you can reach it safely. A drain leak may stop when you stop running water.
- Can’t isolate the leak? For a burst pipe or fast, unexplained leak, close the home’s main water shutoff. Here’s where to look ↓
- Contain it only if safe. Use a bucket or towels and move nearby belongings. Take a photo from a dry, safe spot to help explain the problem.
Call a plumber when: water keeps coming, the valve won’t close, or moisture is appearing inside a wall or ceiling.
02 / KNOW YOUR HOME
Find your main water
shutoff valve.
Locate it before an emergency. The main valve controls the incoming water supply to your home.
Where should I look?
Start where the water line enters the house: a basement, crawlspace, utility room, or garage. In some slab homes, it may be near the water heater. Layouts vary, so check your inspection report or ask us to help identify it.
How do I close it?
- Lever-style ball valve: normally a quarter-turn closes it. The handle lies across the pipe when closed.
- Round wheel: normally turn clockwise gently until closed. Don’t force a stuck or corroded valve.
PARALLEL TO PIPEOpen
ACROSS THE PIPEClosed
Confirm you have a water valve and know what it controls. A fixture valve only stops one fixture. Leave utility meter valves, gas valves, and fire sprinkler controls to the appropriate professional.
Good habit: label the main valve and show everyone at home where it is.
Local guidance: Charlotte Water troubleshooting
03 / BEFORE YOU CALL
No hot water?
A few observations can help narrow down the problem.
Read the display
Photograph the model label and any visible error code. Follow the manual for your exact model. Don’t remove covers, touch wiring, or attempt gas repairs.
Check power safely
For an electric heater, inspect the labeled breaker only from a dry, safe location. If it is tripped, arrange service; don’t repeatedly reset it.
Water around the tank?
If safe, turn off the heater’s energy supply using its normal controls and the manufacturer’s instructions, then close its cold-water inlet. If you cannot safely identify or reach these, stay clear and call for help. Don’t re-energize an empty heater or cap a relief valve.
Smell gas?
Leave immediately. Don’t try to relight the heater. From outside, away from the smell, call 911 or Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504. Return only after responders say it is safe.
Safety references: Rheem urgent help · Piedmont gas safety
04 / KEEP THINGS FLOWING
Slow drain or a backup?
One slow drain and several backed-up fixtures can point to very different problems.
- One slow sink or shower: stop adding water and remove hair or debris from the accessible strainer. Don’t reach into a garbage disposal.
- Trying a plunger? Only use it if no chemical drain cleaner has been added. Never mix drain cleaners or household chemicals.
- Several drains backing up, or sewage appearing? Stop using sinks, toilets, laundry, and the dishwasher. Keep people and pets away from wastewater and call a plumber.
Tell us what you notice: which fixtures are affected, any gurgling, and whether a backup starts when another fixture runs. Tell us if chemicals were used.
A LITTLE PREVENTION GOES A LONG WAY
More everyday plumbing tips.
Choose a question for a quick, practical answer.
What should I do if the toilet starts overflowing?
Stop flushing. Gently close the toilet’s supply valve, usually near the wall behind the toilet, if it is safe to reach. Don’t force it. Wait for the bowl level to drop before attempting to clear a simple clog; don’t plunge if chemicals were added. If other drains also back up, stop household water use and call us.
How can I check for a silent toilet leak?
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 10 minutes without flushing. Color appearing in the bowl suggests a leak. Flush immediately after the test to help prevent staining. A running or leaking toilet deserves prompt repair.
Source: EPA WaterSense
How can I spot a small leak before it gets worse?
Look under sinks and around supply connections for moisture. After drying an accessible fitting, a dry paper towel can help reveal a fresh drip. If it is safe to read your meter, compare readings over two hours with absolutely no water use—including appliances and irrigation. A change may indicate a leak.
Source: EPA WaterSense
How do I protect pipes during a cold snap?
Disconnect outdoor hoses and insulate exposed pipes in unheated spaces. Keep garage doors closed where water lines are present. Open sink cabinets to let warm room air reach vulnerable pipes, keeping cleaners out of children’s reach. During severe cold, let a faucet served by an exposed pipe drip. If away, keep the heat at least 55°F.
If a pipe seems frozen, never use a torch or open flame. Call a plumber if you cannot locate or safely access it. If a pipe bursts, close the main water valve if safe.
Source: American Red Cross
What should stay out of my drains?
Keep grease, cooking oil, coffee grounds, and food scraps out of the sink. Wipe cooled grease into the trash instead of washing it down. Use hair strainers in showers. Flush only toilet paper and human waste—put wipes, paper towels, and hygiene products in the trash.
FIVE MINUTES WELL SPENT
Make a home plumbing note.
Save the location of your main shutoff, your water heater’s model number, and your plumber’s phone number. Keep the note somewhere everyone can find it.
YOUR LOCAL PLUMBING HELP
Still need a hand?
Call or text Any Plumbing. Tell us what’s happening, and share a photo if it’s safe.