Emergency Plumber in Fort Wayne, IN

First, stop the water

With most plumbing emergencies, the damage grows by the minute. Before anything else:

1. Close the main shut-off. In most Fort Wayne basement homes it is on the front basement wall, near the water meter, where the service line comes in. In crawlspace homes it is where the line enters the foundation; in slab homes, look near the water heater or in a utility closet. City Utilities suggests tagging the valve with a bright color so everyone in the house can find it (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions).
2. If the house valve will not turn, the curb stop near the property line can shut the water off, but it usually needs a special key. Call City Utilities at 311 if you cannot close it.
3. Turn off power to anything the water is reaching if you can reach the panel without stepping in water. If you cannot, stay out and wait.
4. Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines and relieve pressure.
5. Take photos of the damage before cleanup for your insurance claim.

What counts as a plumbing emergency

• A burst or split pipe, often after a hard freeze.
• Sewage backing up into the basement, a tub or a toilet.
• A failed sump pump with water rising during a storm.
• A leaking water heater, especially from the tank itself.
• No water at all in winter, which may mean a frozen service line.
• A leak above a ceiling that is sagging or dripping through light fixtures.

Some urgent-feeling problems can wait a few hours once the water is off: a running toilet, a dripping faucet, a single clogged sink.

Specific situations

Sewage in the basement

Stop using water, keep children and pets away, and call 311 so City Utilities can check whether the public sewer is the problem (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Prepare for Heavy Precipitation). Wear gloves and boots if you must go near it. Sewage carries bacteria; porous materials it soaks, like carpet and drywall, usually have to be removed. See the sewer backup guide.

The sump pump stopped

Check that it is plugged in and that the GFCI outlet or breaker has not tripped, but only if you can do it without standing in water. If the pump hums and does nothing, the impeller may be jammed. A wet/dry vacuum or a rented pump can buy time. See sump pumps.

No water in January

Check with a neighbor first. If they have no water either, call 311 to see whether a main is shut down. If they have water and you do not, a pipe in your house or your service line under the yard may be frozen (Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions). See frozen pipes.

Water heater leaking

Close the cold-water valve on top, shut off the power or gas, and if it is pooling, run a hose from the drain valve to the floor drain. See water heaters.

You smell gas

That is not a plumbing call. Leave the house, then call the gas utility (NIPSCO in most of the area) or 911 from outside. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off.

When you send the form

Choose "Urgent problem (water running now)" and tell us what happened, whether the water is off, and the address. We'll call you back to talk through next steps. We can't promise a specific arrival time, so do the steps above first: they make the biggest difference to the damage.

Related guides

• How to Find Your Main Water Shut-Off in a Fort Wayne Home

Sources: Fort Wayne City Utilities, Cold Weather Precautions; Fort Wayne City Utilities, Prepare for Heavy Precipitation; American Red Cross, Frozen Pipes.