If you type “plumbers near me,” you want help fast. If you live in Hawthorne, CA, or nearby, this guide is for you. We keep the words short. We keep steps clear.
Want simple step-by-step help before a pro arrives? See our other blog guides for easy how-to tips and safety steps.
1) Burst pipe
What it looks like: water sprays or a wall floods.
Do this now: turn off the main water. Put a bucket under the leak. Move valuables away. Call a plumber.
2) Big leak behind a wall or ceiling
What it looks like: stains, bulges, or wet spots.
Do this now: catch water in a bin. Turn off the water to that area if you can. Call a plumber.
3) Sewer backup or raw sewage in the home
What it looks like: bad smell and water coming up in drains or toilets.
Do this now: stop using water and toilets. Do not touch the water with your bare hands. Call a pro. Sewage can be dangerous.
4) Clogged main line or toilet that keeps overflowing
What it looks like: multiple drains back up, or the toilet overflows.
Do this now: do not pour chemicals. Try a plunger for toilets. If multiple drains back up, call a plumber.
5) No hot water or water heater leak
What it looks like: no hot water or puddle near the heater.
Do this now: turn off the water heater’s power or gas. Turn off the water to the heater if it leaks. Call a plumber.
6) No water at all
What it looks like: no taps flow in the house.
Do this now: check neighbors. Check the water meter or main valve. If it is not the city, call a plumber.
7) Gas smell (possible gas leak)
What it looks like: smells like rotten eggs or a hissing sound.
Do this now: leave the house now. Do not turn the lights or phones on inside. Call the gas company and 911 from a safe spot.
8) Sump pump failure or basement flooding
What it looks like: the pump runs, but the water rises, or the pump won’t run.
Do this now: unplug only if safe. Use a shop pump if you have one. Call a plumber if the water keeps rising.
9) Frozen pipe that bursts (rare in our area, but can happen)
What it looks like: no flow, then a sudden leak.
Do this now: open taps to relieve pressure. Slowly thaw the pipe with warm air. If the pipe bursts, shut off the water and call a plumber.
How to be ready?
- Know where your main water shutoff is.
- Keep a wrench by the shutoff.
- Know where the gas shutoff is.
- Keep your plumber’s phone saved.
- Have towels, buckets, and a small pump or shop vac.
- Turn off power in flooded areas only if safe.
- Check pipes and heaters each year.
When to call a pro now
If water floods, a main line backs up, gas smells, or you cannot stop the leak, call an experienced plumber right away. If you search “plumbers near me” and live in Hawthorne, CA, we are ready to help.
Need a simple how-to for what to do before help arrives? Read our blog post on what to do in a plumbing emergency for step-by-step tips.
If you want, we can help test your shutoffs and show you where to cut water or gas. Mr Harris Plumbing & Handyman Service serves Hawthorne, CA and nearby homes. Call a pro if you are not sure.