A plumbing emergency in Portsmouth, VA can flood a finished basement, ruin a hardwood floor, or shut off your water for days if the wrong steps come first. The first ten minutes matter more than almost anything else, including how fast the plumber arrives. This guide walks you through exactly what to do before Newman’s Plumbing Service & Repair shows up at your door.
Newman’s Plumbing has handled 24/7 emergency plumbing in Portsmouth, VA and the surrounding Hampton Roads region since 1994. The actions you take in the first few minutes of an emergency can save thousands of dollars in water damage, drywall replacement, and floor restoration. Call (757) 465-0883 immediately, then work through the steps below while you wait.
Step 1: Shut Off the Water at the Main Valve
Stopping water flow at the source is almost always the first move. Most Portsmouth homes have a main water shutoff valve in one of three places:
- Inside the home near the water heater or in the crawlspace. Look for a brass or PVC valve near where the main water line enters the house. It is typically near the water heater, in the garage, or just inside the crawlspace access.
- In a wall-mounted box in the laundry room or basement. Older Portsmouth homes built before 1980 often have the shutoff inside a metal box behind the washer.
- At the curb stop near the street. If you cannot find an interior valve, the city of Portsmouth maintains a curb stop in a small concrete or metal box at the property line. You will need a curb key or a long flathead screwdriver to turn it.
Turn the valve clockwise to close. If it is a lever-style ball valve, rotate it 90 degrees so it sits perpendicular to the pipe. If your shutoff valve is corroded shut, stuck, or broken, do not force it. Move to your water meter and shut the water off there, or call Newman’s and we will dispatch a technician with the right tools.
Step 2: Cut Power to the Affected Area if Water Is Near Electrical
If water is pooling near outlets, baseboards, or appliances, kill the power at the breaker before stepping in the water. Walking into a wet electrical zone is one of the most common avoidable causes of injury during a plumbing emergency. Open your breaker panel and flip the breakers that serve the affected rooms. If you do not know which breaker controls what, throw the main breaker until the plumber arrives.
Step 3: Shut Off the Water Heater if the Leak Is Around It
A leaking or burst water heater can release 40 to 80 gallons fast. Two shutoffs matter here:
- Gas water heaters: Rotate the gas dial on the front of the tank to OFF. Do not relight the pilot.
- Electric water heaters: Trip the dedicated breaker at the electrical panel. Most are labeled “Water Heater” and are a double-pole 30 amp breaker.
Then close the cold water inlet valve directly above the tank. This stops new water from refilling a damaged heater. For more on water heater lifespan and warning signs, see our guide on how long hot water heaters usually last.
Step 4: Document the Damage While You Wait
Insurance claims for water damage in Hampton Roads homes are routinely denied or reduced when homeowners cannot prove the source, timing, or extent of the loss. Take pictures and video immediately:
- The source of the leak, before any cleanup
- Visible water damage to floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture
- The shutoff valve in the closed position
- A clock or phone screen showing the time
- Any standing water depth measured against a household object for scale
Save the footage in cloud storage so it survives even if your phone is damaged. Document everything before you start mopping up.
When to Call 911 Before Calling a Plumber
Most plumbing emergencies are property emergencies, not life emergencies. There are exceptions:
- Natural gas smell anywhere in the home. Evacuate immediately, leave the door open, and call 911 from outside. Do not flip light switches, do not use your cell phone inside the home, do not start your car in the garage. Then call Virginia Natural Gas at 866-229-3578.
- Sewage backup combined with electrical contact. Power down at the breaker, evacuate, and call 911.
- Carbon monoxide alarm activated. Get everyone outside and call 911. CO alarms can be triggered by water heater venting failures.
Once the immediate safety risk is handled, then call Newman’s Plumbing at (757) 465-0883.
What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency in Portsmouth, VA
Newman’s defines a plumbing emergency as any situation where every additional minute causes more damage. That includes:
- Burst pipes, including pinhole leaks spraying behind walls
- Mainline sewer backup into the home
- Water heater leaks, ruptures, or pressure relief valve discharge
- Gas line leaks or strong gas odor, after evacuation and 911
- Frozen pipes that have already burst or are about to
- Sump pump failure during heavy Hampton Roads rainfall
- Toilet overflow that will not stop with the shutoff valve closed
Slow drips, intermittent drain clogs, or running toilets generally do not need same-night service and can wait until business hours. If you are unsure, call and our dispatch team will help you decide.
How Fast Can Newman’s Plumbing Arrive in Portsmouth?
From our headquarters at 730 Broad Street in Portsmouth, our 24/7 emergency response team typically reaches addresses inside Portsmouth city limits within the same hour. Response to Chesapeake, Norfolk, and South Hampton Roads communities is usually under 90 minutes. Late-night calls in Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Hampton may take longer depending on the technician’s location at the time of dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first during a plumbing emergency in Portsmouth, VA?
Shut off the main water valve immediately, then call Newman’s Plumbing at (757) 465-0883. Once water flow is stopped, kill electrical power to any wet areas, document the damage with photos and video, and wait for the plumber to arrive.
Where is the main water shutoff valve in a Portsmouth home?
In most Portsmouth homes, the main water shutoff is located near the water heater, in the crawlspace, or in the garage. Homes built before 1980 may have the valve in a wall-mounted laundry room box. If you cannot find an interior valve, the city of Portsmouth maintains a curb stop at the property line.
Does homeowners insurance cover plumbing emergencies?
Most standard homeowners insurance policies in Virginia cover sudden and accidental water damage from plumbing failures, but they typically do not cover gradual leaks, sewer backup without a specific rider, or damage caused by lack of maintenance. Document everything immediately and contact your insurance agent the same day.
Is Newman’s Plumbing available 24/7 in Portsmouth?
Yes. Newman’s Plumbing Service & Repair provides 24/7 emergency plumbing across Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Hampton, and Smithfield. Call (757) 465-0883 day or night for same-hour dispatch.
How much does emergency plumbing cost in Portsmouth?
Newman’s Plumbing provides written estimates before starting any work, including emergency calls. Cost varies based on the type of repair, time of day, and parts required. For non-emergency situations, scheduling during business hours is the most affordable option.
Call Newman’s Plumbing for 24/7 Emergency Service in Portsmouth, VA
When a plumbing emergency strikes in Portsmouth, every minute matters. Newman’s Plumbing Service & Repair has been the trusted choice for emergency plumbing in Portsmouth and across Hampton Roads since 1994. Our licensed, insured technicians respond 24/7 with the right tools, parts, and experience to stop the damage and restore your plumbing fast.
Call (757) 465-0883 now for emergency dispatch, or visit our homepage to learn more about our full range of sewer line and water leak detection services across Hampton Roads. For broader storm-season preparation, review the U.S. government’s official flood preparedness guide at Ready.gov.