Key Takeaways
- Find your main water shut-off now; in most Hamden houses it's on the basement wall by the meter.
- For one fixture, close the small valve under the sink or behind the toilet instead.
- Turn off the water heater if the main water will be off for long or the leak is on the hot side.
- If you smell gas, leave first and call 911 or your gas utility from outside.
Find Your Shut-Off Valves Today
The main water shut-off stops water to the entire house. In most Hamden homes it's in the basement, on the wall where the water line comes in, right next to the meter. Some houses have a valve on each side of the meter; use the one on the house side.
- Round handle (gate valve): turn clockwise until it stops. Old ones can be stiff or break; don't force them with a wrench.
- Lever handle (ball valve): a quarter turn, so the lever sits across the pipe.
- Fixture valves: small valves under sinks and behind toilets shut off just that fixture.
- Water heater: the cold water valve on top of the heater shuts off its supply.
Put a tag on the main valve and show everyone in the house where it is. Exercise it once a year so it still turns when you need it.
What to Do, Problem by Problem
| Problem | First step | Then |
|---|---|---|
| Burst or leaking pipe | Close the main water valve | Turn off power near the water, open a low faucet to drain |
| Overflowing toilet | Close the valve behind the toilet | Lift the tank lid and push the flapper down |
| Leaking water heater | Close the cold valve on top | Turn off its gas or power |
| Sewer backup | Stop using all water | Keep away from the water; don't open the cleanout |
| No water anywhere | Check with neighbors | If it's just you in winter, suspect a frozen line |
| Gas smell | Leave the house now | Call 911 or the gas utility from outside |
Burst Pipes
Close the main valve first, then deal with the mess. If water is near outlets, fixtures or the electrical panel, turn off the power to that area at the breaker, but only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pipes. In winter, see frozen pipes for what to check next.
Sewer Backups
Wastewater coming up through the basement floor drain or a tub means the main line is blocked. Stop all water use in the house so you don't add to it. More in why your basement floor drain backs up.
Gas Smells
If you smell gas (a rotten-egg or sulfur smell), get everyone out. Don't flip switches, use the phone inside, or start a car in an attached garage. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Once it's safe, our gas line repair team handles the repair.
What to Tell Us When You Call
- Your address and a callback number
- What's happening and where: kitchen, bathroom, basement, ceiling
- Whether you've managed to shut off the water or gas
- For a water heater: gas or electric, and its age if you know it
For an emergency plumber in Hamden, CT, call (203) 568-2475. We answer 24/7, holidays included. For no heat or a boiler problem, call our heating and AC line instead.
For Your Insurance
Take photos and video of the water, the damage and the source before cleanup, and keep receipts for anything you buy to dry things out. Move valuables out of the water and start drying the area once the leak is stopped.
What Can Wait Until Morning
A dripping faucet, a slow drain or a toilet that runs but isn't overflowing can usually wait for a regular appointment. If one toilet is clogged and you have another, that can usually wait too. When in doubt, call and ask.
Our plumbing repair team handles the fix once the water is stopped, and leak detection finds out where water went inside walls and ceilings.
