A good plumbing emergency kit holds the basic tools you need to stop water and protect your home while you wait for help. Most of the items are cheap and easy to keep in one bin near your main shut-off valve.
Items to Include
- A bright flashlight with fresh batteries
- Old towels and a few large buckets
- A flange plunger for toilets and a cup plunger for sinks
- Rubber gloves
- A wet/dry vacuum if you have one
- A permanent marker and tags for labeling valves
- Plastic sheets to cover furniture
Keep the kit somewhere easy to reach, such as a basement shelf or a utility closet. Everyone in the house should know where it is, including older children who may be home alone.
Know Where Your Valves Are
Tools help, but knowing where to shut off the water helps more. Find the main valve, often near where the water line comes into the house. Then find the small valves under sinks, behind toilets, and near the water heater. Write their locations on a card and tape it inside the kit lid.
Keep Important Information Handy
Add a list of phone numbers to the kit. Include your plumber, your water provider, and your gas utility. If you rent, add your landlord or building manager. In a stressful moment, having these numbers written down saves time. Check the list once a year and replace any batteries in the flashlight at the same time.
What a Kit Cannot Do
An emergency kit is for slowing down damage, not for making repairs. Do not try to fix gas lines, electrical parts, or pipes under pressure. If a leak keeps going after you close the valve, getting urgent help from a plumber is the safest next step.
For routine questions about your home’s plumbing, you can also get answers about everyday plumbing care. JPR Plumbing answers calls at (833) 603-1840, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.