Who should I call for a major water leak?

Order of calls

1. Shut the water off yourself before making any call, if you can locate the main.
2. Call a plumber, or a matching platform, to get a licensed professional dispatched for the leak itself.
3. Call the utility if water is surfacing at the meter, in the street, or you suspect the break is before the meter.
4. Call a restoration company if flooring, drywall, or cabinetry is already saturated.
5. Call your insurer, with photos and timestamps, once the situation is stabilized.

How to tell it's plumbing and not the roof

A plumbing-source leak typically continues regardless of weather, often traces to a specific fixture, wall, or floor area, and may coincide with reduced water pressure or a rising water bill. A leak that only appears during or right after rain, or near the roofline, is much more likely to be a roof or flashing issue — see who to call for a roof leak for that scenario specifically.

What information speeds up dispatch

• Whether the water is currently shut off
• Roughly how long the leak has been active
• Which rooms or floors are affected
• Whether the leak is near any electrical outlets, panels, or fixtures

Common mistakes

Calling only a restoration company and skipping the plumber means the source of the leak never actually gets fixed — restoration dries out the damage but doesn't stop the leak. Likewise, delaying the insurance call until after cleanup can make it harder to document the loss.