What’s going wrong?
Choose the symptom. You’ll get the first thing to do, the most likely cause and the right service guide.
Act nowRisk of damage or safety hazard
Fix soonGetting worse, but not an emergency
Can be scheduledAnnoying, but safe to book ahead
Act nowWater leaking
Do this first
Close the nearest fixture valve or the main water shutoff.
Most likely cause
A supply pipe, fitting or hose under pressure.
Plumbing problem guides
Sewer Backup
Why is sewage backing up into my house?
Causes & fixes →
Water Heater Leaking
What should I do if my water heater is leaking?
Causes & fixes →
No Hot Water
Why do I have no hot water?
Causes & fixes →
Sewer Smell in the House
Why does my house smell like sewage?
Causes & fixes →
Tree Roots in Sewer Line
How do I know if tree roots are in my sewer line?
Causes & fixes →Basement Flooding
Why is water coming into my basement?
Causes & fixes →
High Water Bill
Why is my water bill so high?
Causes & fixes →
Gurgling Drains
Why are my drains gurgling?
Causes & fixes →
Brown or Rusty Water
Why is my tap water brown or rusty?
Causes & fixes →
Hard Water Problems
What does hard water do to plumbing?
Causes & fixes →Symptom → first step → service
Act now
| Symptom | Do this first | Likely cause | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water leaking | Close the nearest fixture valve or the main water shutoff. | A supply pipe, fitting or hose under pressure. | Pipe Repair |
| Toilet overflowing | Close the valve behind the toilet (turn clockwise). | A clog in the toilet trap, or a main line blockage if other drains back up. | Clogged Toilet Repair |
| Pipe burst | Shut off the main water valve now, and stay away from wet electrical areas. | Freezing, corrosion or high pressure split the pipe. | Burst Pipe Repair |
| Water heater leaking | Turn off power or gas to the heater and close its cold inlet valve. | Tank corrosion (replace) or a valve or fitting leak (often repairable). | Water Heater Repair |
| Basement flooding | Stay out of standing water near electrical equipment; check the sump pump. | Sump pump failure, a main drain backup, or a supply leak. | Sump Pump Repair |
| Sewer backing up | Stop using every drain and keep people and pets away from the water. | A main sewer line blockage, often roots or a damaged lateral. | Main Sewer Line Cleaning |
| Gas smell | Leave the building now and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. | A possible gas leak. Do not troubleshoot it yourself. | Gas Line Plumbing |
Fix soon
| Symptom | Do this first | Likely cause | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drain not draining | Check whether one fixture or several are slow. | One fixture: trap or branch clog. Several: main line. | Drain Cleaning |
| No hot water | Check the breaker (electric) or whether the pilot is lit (gas). | A failed element or thermostat, or a pilot or ignition problem. | Water Heater Repair |
| Sewer smell | Run water in any rarely used drains to refill dry traps. | A dry trap, blocked vent, drain buildup or a damaged sewer line. | Sewer Camera Inspection |
Can be scheduled
| Symptom | Do this first | Likely cause | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low water pressure | Check whether it affects one fixture or the whole house. | One fixture: aerator or cartridge. Whole house: regulator, valve, corroded pipe or a leak. | Water Pressure Problems |
| Faucet dripping | Close the shutoff valves under the sink if the drip is fast. | A worn cartridge, washer or seal. | Faucet & Sink Repair |
| Garbage disposal stopped | Switch it off and press the red reset button underneath. | A jam or a tripped overload. | Garbage Disposal Repair |
| Toilet keeps running | Lift the tank lid and see whether water is going into the overflow tube. | A worn flapper or a fill valve set too high. | Running Toilet Repair |
