Emergency Water Shut-off Checklist | Veteran Plumbing Services Springfield, VA
Stay calm. You’ve got this—and I’m already on the way.
When a pipe bursts, a toilet won’t stop overflowing, or water’s suddenly pouring from the ceiling in the middle of the night, it’s easy to panic.
I’ve seen it plenty of times.
But if you’re in Springfield, I want you to know—you’re not alone, and help is already on the way.
I’m Dennis Rollins, retired Navy Chief and owner of Veteran Plumbing Services.
I’ve handled more emergency plumbing calls than I can count, and I’ve learned that what you do in those first few minutes makes a big difference.
You don’t need to fix it yourself—keep the situation under control until I get there.
Here’s what I always tell homeowners to do while they wait:
1. Turn Off the Main Water Valve
First things first—stop the water from flowing.
Look for the main shut-off valve. It’s usually near your water meter, in the basement, or in a crawl space.
Turn it to the right (clockwise) to shut off the water to your whole house.
If you’re not sure where it is, give me a call and I’ll help walk you through it over the phone.
2. Turn Off the Water Heater (If It’s Nearby)
If the leak is near your water heater, go ahead and turn it off, especially if it’s gas.
This keeps pressure from building up and prevents overheating. Better safe than sorry.
3. Unplug Anything Electrical Nearby
If water’s getting close to outlets, cords, or appliances, don’t touch anything wet.
Instead, go to your breaker box and shut off power to that area.
We want to prevent a leak from becoming a shock hazard.
4. Catch and Contain the Water
Grab towels, buckets, pots—whatever you’ve got handy.
Try to keep the water from spreading to other rooms.
The more you can contain, the less damage you’ll deal with later.
5. Don’t Use the Plumbing
This one’s easy to overlook.
Don’t run faucets, flush toilets, or use your dishwasher.
Any additional water might exacerbate the problem until I’ve had a chance to investigate further.
When You’re Safe—Call Me
I’m available 24/7 for emergency plumbing services in Springfield.
Whether it’s a mystery leak, frozen pipe, or full-on sewer backup, I’ll show up ready to fix it.
No runaround. No waiting games. Just honest help when you need it most.
📞 Call Veteran Plumbing Services today at 703-791-1339
I’m Dennis Rollins. I served my country, and now I’m here to help you protect your home.
📞 Schedule online Veteran Plumbing Services Anytime — 24 hours a day.