Emergency Faucet Repair: What to Do When Water Will Not Stop
If water will not stop, shut off the valves under the sink or the main water valve, then call. Call (888) 554-0426 and tell us it is urgent. We connect you with an independent contractor who serves your area. Availability varies by area and time of day.
What should I do first in a faucet emergency?
Shut off the water first. Turn the small valves under the sink clockwise until they stop. If you have no valves, or they will not turn, shut off the main water valve to your home. Then call a pro, move items out of the way, and soak up standing water.
Step one: stop the water. The sooner the water stops, the less damage it can do. Do not wait for a pro to arrive before you shut it off.
- Shut off the fixture valves under the sink, turning each clockwise.
- Shut off the main valve if the fixture valves do not work or there are none.
- Turn off power at the breaker only if water is near outlets, cords or appliances and you can reach the panel safely.
- Move valuables and rugs away from the water.
- Call a pro and tell them water is leaking and what you have already done.
- Soak up water with towels and a mop to protect floors and walls.
How do I shut off water for different faucets?
For a sink, use the two valves under it. For a tub or shower, there is often no local valve, so use the main water valve. For an outdoor faucet, use the interior shut-off for that line if you have one, or the main valve.
| Fixture | Where to shut off the water |
|---|---|
| Kitchen or bathroom sink | Two small valves under the sink, hot and cold. Turn clockwise. |
| Bathtub or shower | Often no local valve. Use the main water valve, or a panel valve if your home has one. |
| Outdoor faucet | A valve inside the house for the outdoor line, often in a basement or crawl space. Or the main valve. |
| Any fixture, valves stuck | The main water valve, usually near the water meter or where the line enters the home. |
Find your main water valve now, before you need it. It is usually near the water meter, in the basement, in a utility closet, or in an outdoor box. Everyone in the home should know where it is.
What counts as a faucet emergency?
Treat it as urgent when water will not shut off, sprays out, floods a floor, or leaks inside a wall or ceiling. A slow drip is not usually an emergency. A fast leak, a broken handle, or water near electricity is urgent and should be treated that way.
- The faucet will not shut off, even with the handle closed.
- Water is spraying or flowing from a broken part.
- A handle or cartridge came off or broke.
- Water is leaking inside a wall, ceiling or cabinet.
- Water is spreading across the floor.
- A frozen pipe has cracked and is leaking after the thaw.
A slow drip can wait for a regular visit. If you are not sure, call and describe what you see. We will treat it as urgent if you say so.
What does emergency faucet repair involve?
The pro first makes sure the water is off, then finds the failed part. They may replace a cartridge, valve, supply line or the whole faucet. They test the fix and check for hidden water damage. The main goal is to stop the leak and make the fixture safe to use.
- Confirm the water is off and check for damage.
- Find the failed part: cartridge, stem, valve, supply line or faucet body.
- Repair or replace it, or install a new faucet if needed.
- Turn the water back on slowly and test.
- Check nearby areas for wet spots and tell you what else to watch.
If the part is not on the truck, the pro may make a temporary fix and return with the right part. Ask what to expect and when.
How much does emergency faucet repair cost?
Emergency repairs can cost more than regular visits, especially nights and weekends. The price varies by area and job. Ask for the price, including any after-hours fee, before the pro starts work. A written price protects you from surprises.
- Time of day: after-hours and weekend calls often cost more.
- The part: a cartridge costs less than a new faucet.
- Damage: water damage repair is a separate job and cost.
- Access: hard-to-reach valves take longer.
- Travel: some pros add a trip fee outside normal areas.
Even in an emergency, you can still ask for the total price. A good contractor will explain it.
How do I pick a pro in an emergency?
Even in a rush, ask for a price, a time window, a license number and proof of insurance. Check the license once the water is off and things are calm. You are responsible for confirming the license and insurance required for the work.
- Tell them water is leaking and what you have shut off.
- Ask for the arrival window and price, including after-hours fees.
- Ask what happens if they find more damage.
- Ask for a license number and proof of insurance.
- Take photos of the damage for your records and your insurer.
If water has damaged your home, you may want to call your insurance company. That is between you and your insurer. We cannot give insurance advice.
What other faucet repair services can we connect you with?
Faucet problems often come in pairs. These pages cover related repairs.
Emergency Faucet Repair questions, answered
My faucet will not shut off. What do I do?
Shut off the valves under the sink, or the main water valve if there are none. Then call a pro. A faucet that will not shut off often has a broken cartridge or stem. Do not force the handle.
Can you send a pro right now?
We connect you with an independent contractor who serves your area. How fast they can come depends on your location, the time of day and their schedule. Tell us it is urgent when you call.
Where is my main water shut-off valve?
It is usually near the water meter, where the water line enters your home. Common spots are the basement, a utility closet, the garage, or an outdoor box. Find yours before an emergency.
Is a leaking faucet an emergency?
A slow drip is usually not. A faucet that will not shut off, a spray, a flood, or a leak inside a wall or ceiling is urgent. Shut off the water and call a pro right away.
Should I turn off the power if water is leaking?
If water is near outlets, cords or appliances, turn off power at the breaker only if you can reach it safely without standing in water. If you cannot do it safely, stay away and call a licensed pro or the utility.
What if the shut-off valves under my sink will not turn?
Do not force them. Shut off the main water valve and call a pro. Old valves can break, which can make the leak worse. A pro can replace the valves during the repair.
Water leaking? Call now.
Shut off the water, then call. We connect you with a local pro. Availability varies by area and time of day.