Plumbing Emergency in Melbourne, FL?
First, stop the water. Below is exactly what to do right now to limit the damage — then call Shaw Plumbing. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and we move active emergencies to the front of the line.
Call Now: (321) 626-6153What counts as a plumbing emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any problem actively causing water damage, a health hazard, or a safety risk that cannot wait — a burst pipe spraying water, sewage coming up through your drains, a water heater dumping its tank, or a major leak you cannot shut off at the fixture. In every one of these, the first move is the same: shut off the water, then call.
A slow drip, one clogged drain, or a running toilet you can isolate is a nuisance, not an emergency, and can wait for a daytime appointment.
Stop the water first: where your shut-offs are
Before you call anyone, stopping the flow is what actually limits the damage. Here is the right shut-off for each situation on a typical Space Coast home.
Burst pipe or supply-line break
Go to your main water shut-off. On most Space Coast slab homes it sits outside near the street at the water meter, or where the main line enters the house near a front hose bib. Turn it clockwise until it stops, then open a low faucet such as an outside spigot to drain the lines.
Water heater leaking or flooding
Close the cold-water valve on top of the tank by turning it clockwise, then cut the unit's power — flip the breaker for an electric heater, or turn the gas control knob to off for a gas heater. Do not try to relight it. Once water and power are off, a leaking tank is safe to leave until we can swap it.
Sewage backing up into the home
Stop adding water immediately — no flushing, washing machine, or dishwasher, because every gallon has nowhere to go but up. Keep people and pets away from the contaminated area; raw sewage is a real health hazard. This is almost always a main-line blockage that needs professional drain equipment.
Major fixture leak: toilet, sink, or supply line
You usually do not need to kill water to the whole house. Find the small shut-off valve on the wall or floor behind or below the fixture and turn it clockwise — near the base for a toilet, under the cabinet for a sink. That isolates the leak and keeps water on everywhere else.
Smell gas? That is not a plumbing call
If you smell rotten eggs or hear hissing near a gas line, leave the house right away and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Do not flip switches or light anything until they clear it.
When can it wait until morning?
If the problem is not actively flooding your home or creating a health or safety hazard, it can almost always wait for a daytime appointment. A single slow drain, a dripping faucet, low water pressure, or a running toilet you have shut off at the fixture valve are all annoying but not emergencies. Note what is happening and call Shaw Plumbing when we open at 8am for a priority daytime slot.
How priority scheduling works during business hours
Shaw Plumbing is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. During those hours, active emergencies — a leak you cannot stop, no water in the house, a sewage backup — jump ahead of routine appointments. Call (321) 626-6153, tell us what is happening, and we will get a licensed plumber headed your way as a priority.
With 36 years of plumbing experience, serving the Space Coast since 2017, we know these Melbourne and Brevard County neighborhoods. License CFC1429898. Financing is available through Wisetack.
Need a plumber today?
Call during business hours — Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm — and we will prioritize your emergency across Melbourne FL and Brevard County.
(321) 626-6153 Request ServiceEmergency Plumbing FAQs
Can I reach Shaw Plumbing after hours or on weekends?
Shaw Plumbing's phone line is staffed Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. We are a local shop, so we do not pretend someone is driving out at 2am. If a problem hits outside business hours, shut off the water at the main valve to stop the damage, then call us first thing when we open at 8am and we will make it a priority.
What is the first thing I should do in a plumbing emergency?
Shut off the water. For a burst pipe you cannot stop at the fixture, close your main water shut-off, which on most Space Coast slab homes is outside near the water meter or where the main line enters the house. For a leaking toilet or sink, use the smaller valve right at the fixture instead. Once the water is off, the emergency is contained and you can call (321) 626-6153.
How do I turn off a leaking water heater?
Close the cold-water valve on top of the tank by turning it clockwise, then cut the unit's power — flip the breaker for an electric heater, or turn the gas control knob to off for a gas heater. Do not attempt to relight a gas unit yourself. With water and power off, a leaking heater is safe to leave until we can repair or replace it.
Is a slow drip or a single clogged drain an emergency?
Usually not. If it is not actively flooding your home or creating a health or safety hazard, it can wait for a daytime appointment. A dripping faucet, one slow drain, low water pressure, or a running toilet you have shut off at the fixture will not cause damage that cannot wait until morning. Call us when we open and we will get you scheduled.
Does a sewage backup need a plumber right away?
A sewage backup is one of the more urgent plumbing problems because of the health hazard and damage it causes. Stop running any water — no flushing, laundry, or dishwasher — and keep people and pets clear of the area. It is almost always a main-line blockage that needs professional drain equipment. Our sewer line service handles these; call (321) 626-6153 during business hours.
Need a Plumber?
Call Shaw Plumbing.
Fast, reliable plumbing services for Melbourne and all of Brevard County. 36 years of plumbing experience, serving the Space Coast since 2017. Licensed and insured.