July 2025
By: Josh Walejewski
Read Time: 1-2 Minutes
Just before I turned 16, I was like any other kid with a learner’s permit—laser-focused on that life-changing prize: a plastic card that meant late-night Taco Bell runs and zero parental chauffeurs. Freedom at last!
One Saturday evening, my late grandad was in town from Iowa with his brand new 2005 V8 Pontiac Bonneville GXP. He tossed me his keys and said, “let’s go for a spin!”
I hopped on the nearest country road and started telling him about the vehicle I wanted as my first car, when out of nowhere, a deer rocketed out of the tree line! I slammed the brakes and swerved just enough to miss Bambi’s mom.
Heart still pounding and terrified I had almost wrecked my grandad’s new car—I looked over at him. He didn’t flinch. He just said, “If you want to stay safe, always expect the unexpected.”
I rolled my eyes. “Grandad, how on earth am I supposed to anticipate something I don’t expect?”
He tapped the dashboard. “You prepare for what could happen when you least expect it, so you can act decisively in the moment!”
Homeownership is the same game. Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for you to expect them to happen. A burst pipe, failed shut-off valve, or unpleasant backup never RSVP—they show up unannounced.
So, below you’ll find ten battle-tested rules (plus a few pro upgrades) to keep water where it belongs and your bank account intact. Let’s uncover how we can turn the “unexpected” into “handled.”
10-Step Plumbing Crisis Survival Guide:
Rule #1: Kill the Water—Fast
- Tag your main shut-off: It’s usually near the meter or where the line enters the house. Twist a wheel valve clockwise or flip a lever ninety degrees to stop the flow.
- Label every fixture valve: Toilets, sinks, washing machines, outdoor hose bibs and other fixtures will often have their own mini shut-off. Dedicated shut-offs can bail you out when only one fixture misbehaves.
Rule #2: Train the Household
Unfortunately, plumbing emergencies often happen when you aren’t home. Educating your family or roommates on how to mitigate damage from a burst or leaking pipe quickly can be invaluable— potentially saving you thousands of dollars, time, and stress.
Gather the family, show them the location of all shutoff valves in the home (especially the main), how to open/close them, and where the right tools/items are to clean up any water. In a plumbing crisis, you don’t want a scavenger hunt.
Rule #3: Build a Grab-and-Go Kit
Keep everything in one bucket under the sink or in the utility room:
| Tool | Why You Need It |
| Sturdy plunger (cup & flange) | Clog busting for sinks and toilets |
| Adjustable wrench + locking pliers | Tighten a loose connection or faucet supply line |
| Pipe wrench | For larger fittings |
| Plumber’s tape (PTFE) | Quick seal for small leaks |
| Rubber pipe patch & hose clamps | Temporary fix for a split copper line |
| Flashlight & spare batteries | Because water lines never burst in daylight |
| Heavy towels / rags | Rapid mop-up to limit damage |
Add a 5-gallon wet/dry shop-vac if you have room. A wet/dry shop vac can be worth its weight in gold during a plumbing crisis.
Rule #4: DIY Inspections on a Schedule
Quarterly walk-through: Make a habit of inspecting your plumbing system every season. Look for corrosion and calcium build-up (around connections, shutoff valves), drips beneath sinks, sweating supply lines, and bulging hoses on laundry machines.
Exercise valves twice a year: Exercising shutoff valves is as easy as turning them completely closed and turning them back open. If you notice it’s difficult to turn, or if you notice leaks, it’s a good sign the valve should be replaced soon. Stiff or seized valves can render them useless. Forcing a seized valve shut can lead to broken handles, or worse — water leaking from two places instead of one. The last thing you need during a plumbing emergency is for a shut-off valve to fail.
Annual water-heater check: A yearly water-heater tune-up helps catch minor issues before they turn into major headaches. Moreover, a water heater tune-up boosts the unit’s efficiency, extends its life span, and ensures it’s operating safely. Click here to learn more about water heater maintenance.
Rule #5: Consider prevention with Smart Technology
- Smart leak sensors under sinks and by the water heater ping your phone at the first sign of trouble.
- Automatic shut-off valves tie into those sensors and close the main line even when you’re at work—or 500 miles away.
- Battery-backup sump pump: Power outage during a storm? You still get water out, not in.
Rule #6: Winterize Like You Mean It (Hello, Wisconsin!)
- Disconnect garden hoses and install frost-proof covers on outdoor spigots
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls
- Protect outdoor hose bibs with a winterizing cover
- Install frost free hose bibs A freeze-proof hose bib turns off the water flow far inside the house where it’s warm so it wont freeze during the winter (image to right)
- Turn off the water supply to outdoor faucets and drain them.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces or near exterior walls to protect from freezing
Rule #7: Sewer & Back-Flow Defense
- Know where the main clean-out is (often a 3–4 in. white cap near the foundation)
- Install a back-water valve if your basement has ever smelled like last night’s casserole from the city main
Rule #8: Keep Contacts at Your Fingertips
Program your smartphone — and stick a hard-copy list on the side of your fridge:
- Trusted plumber
- Water utility emergency line
- Home insurance claims
- Restoration company for major clean-ups
Rule #9: Know the Fine Print in Your Insurance Policy Before the Flood
Review your homeowner’s policy for coverage on:
- Sudden pipe bursts vs. slow leaks (often excluded)
- Sewer-backup riders
- Mold remediation caps
Rule #10: Make a One-Page Action Plan
- Shut off water
- Kill power to affected area if water is near outlets
- Contain/clean up with towels/bucket/shop-vac
- Snap photos for insurance
- Call a trusted plumber (Hey there👋, we can help!)
Bonus Upgrades You Might Have Missed
- Water-alarm floor mat for behind the fridge or dishwasher.
- Stainless-steel braided supply lines on washers, dishwashers, ice makers—replace rubber ones every five years.
- Pressure-reducing valve on homes with >80 psi municipal supply.
- Emergency bottled water stash: one gallon per person per day for 72 hours in case the main supply stays off for a while.
Don’t Let a Plumbing Crisis Be Your Next “Deer in the Headlights” Moment
Today, as a homeowner myself, my Grandad’s wisdom and dashboard tap still echoes: Expect the unexpected. You’ve now got the game plan that turns plumbing chaos into a minor hiccup. The prep costs pocket change compared to a flooded basement, and the peace of mind you’ll have is priceless.
Speaking of Peace of Mind, did you know our Peace of Mind memberships now include complimentary visual plumbing and electrical system inspections? Click here to learn more.
If you hit a snag—or just want a pro to sanity-check your system—the team at Kettle Moraine Heating, Air, & Plumbing can help.
Read more blog posts from Kettle Moraine Heating & AC.
About the Author
Josh Walejewski
Josh is a business professional who has worked in the HVAC industry since 2017. With a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree (B.A.A.S) in marketing and sustainable business management from the University of Wisconsin, he has a passion for all aspects of HVAC, business, marketing, and environmental stewardship.
