Burst Pipe? What to Do in the First 30 Minutes
A minute-by-minute burst pipe plan: shut off the water, protect people from electrical hazards, drain the lines, limit damage and document it for insurance.
Emergency property repair guides: what to do right now
Plain, step-by-step guides for the property emergencies people search for most: burst pipes, leaks, sewage, roof and storm damage, heating and cooling failures, electrical hazards and business emergencies. Each one covers safety first, the steps that limit damage, and what to tell a provider. If you need an independent provider, call 833-877-1717.
Am I in the right place?Yes, if something has broken, flooded, leaked or failed at a home, rental or business and you want to know what to do first.
Is this urgent?Fire, gas smells, downed lines and anyone hurt or trapped: call 911 or the utility first. Water you cannot stop is urgent too.
What do I do next?Pick what is happening below, follow the first steps, and call 833-877-1717 if you need a provider.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
What is happening?
Water, plumbing and sewage
How to Shut Off Your Water in a Leak Emergency
Find and close your main water shutoff, fixture stops and curb valve in a leak emergency. Covers valve types, stuck valves and what to do after the water is off.
No Water in the House? What to Check First
No water from any faucet? Check for a utility outage, a closed or frozen line, a well pump problem or a main break, and when to call a plumber at 833-877-1717.
Plumbing Emergency Guide: What Counts and What to Do
How to tell a plumbing emergency from a problem that can wait, with first steps for leaks, backups, no water, water heater failures and gas odors.
Sewage Backup Guide: Causes, Safety and Cleanup
Sewage backing up into a tub, toilet or floor drain? Learn how to stay safe, stop the backup from getting worse, what causes it, and what cleanup really involves.
Ceiling Leak? What to Do Right Now (Step by Step)
Water dripping or pouring through your ceiling? Step-by-step: make it electrically safe, find the source, deal with a bulging ceiling, and limit the damage.
Water Damage Guide: The First 48 Hours
What to do in the first 48 hours after water damage: safety, removing water, drying, mold risk, what to keep or throw out, insurance documentation and pro help.
Roof and storm damage
Roof Leaking in the Rain? Step-by-Step Guide
Roof leaking during a storm? Safe step-by-step actions from the attic and inside the house, when to tarp, what causes leaks, and what to expect from the repair.
How to Check Your Roof After a Storm
A safe, ground-level roof check after wind, hail or a fallen tree: what to look for outside and in the attic, signs of hidden damage, insurance documentation.
After-Storm Property Damage Checklist
A printable-style checklist for the hours after a storm: hazards first, then roof, windows, water, power, documentation, temporary repairs and insurance steps.
Wind Damage Recovery Guide for Property Owners
Recovering from wind damage: how wind damages roofs, siding, windows and trees, what to fix first, how to document for insurance, and how to plan the repairs.
Storm and hurricane recovery
Hurricane Isaias Damage: Repair and Recovery Help
Hurricane Isaias damage in the Florida Panhandle, Alabama or Georgia? Safety after the storm, roof, tree and water damage first steps, FEMA and insurance help.
Hurricane Damage Checklist: What to Do After a Hurricane
After a hurricane: a checklist for returning home safely, generator and power safety, roof, tree and flood damage, wind vs flood insurance, FEMA help and hiring.
Tree Fell on Your House? What to Do Right Now
Tree fell on your house or roof? Get people out safely, avoid power lines, stop rain getting in, document it for insurance, and arrange removal and repair.
House Flooded? What to Do After a Flood
Floodwater got into your house? How to re-enter safely, deal with electricity and contamination, remove water, prevent mold, document losses and use flood insurance.
Heating and cooling
No Heat? How to Stay Safe and Warm Until Repairs
Furnace or heat pump out in cold weather? Quick checks to try, how to keep people and pipes safe, carbon monoxide warnings, and when to call for heating repair.
AC Out in a Heat Wave? How to Stay Safe
Air conditioning failed during extreme heat? How to protect people from heat illness, quick AC checks to try, ways to cool the home safely, and when to call.
AC Running but Not Cooling? A Troubleshooting Guide
Your AC runs but the air is warm. A step-by-step troubleshooting guide: thermostat, filter, frozen coil, outdoor unit, refrigerant leaks, ducts and when to call.
HVAC Emergency Guide: Heating and Cooling Failures
Which heating and cooling failures are emergencies, what to check first, safety risks like CO and heat illness, and how to get an HVAC provider out fast.
Electrical and power
Burning Electrical Smell? What to Do Now
Smell burning plastic or hot wires? How to find the source, when to leave and call 911, which breaker to shut off, common causes and when to call an electrician.
Electrical Emergencies at Home: A Safety Guide
Which electrical problems are emergencies: sparks, shocks, burning smells, partial outages, flooded panels, tripping breakers and downed lines, and what to do.
Backup Generator Didn't Start? What to Check
Standby generator failed during an outage? Safe checks for controller mode, fuel, battery and transfer switch, carbon monoxide warnings, and when to call.
Businesses and facilities
Commercial Property Emergencies: A Response Playbook
A system-by-system playbook for business emergencies: water, power, HVAC, roofs, refrigeration, glass and security, with first steps and who to call.
Facility Emergency Triage: Which Repair Comes First
When several things fail at once, fix them in this order: life safety, building damage, critical systems, operations, then cosmetics. A guide for facility managers.
Power Out at Your Business? Step-by-Step Response
Lost power at a store, office or restaurant? How to tell a utility outage from a building fault, protect equipment and inventory, and get an electrician.
Commercial Cooler Failure: First Steps
Reach-in, prep table or walk-in cooler warming up? Protect food and inventory, run the quick checks, document temperatures, and get refrigeration repair.
Walk-In Freezer Not Cooling: Response Guide
Walk-in freezer warming up? Protect frozen inventory, check the door, defrost and condenser, document temperatures, and get a refrigeration technician out.
Storefront Glass Broken? How to Secure Your Business
Storefront window or glass door broken by a break-in, vehicle or storm? Make the area safe, call police if needed, board up, document it and plan replacement.
Commercial Roof Leak? First Steps for Managers
Flat or low-slope roof leaking into a business? Protect people and inventory, check drains and ponding safely, document the leak, and get a commercial roofer.
Commercial HVAC Checklist to Prevent Failures
Most rooftop unit and commercial HVAC emergencies start as missed maintenance. A seasonal checklist for facility managers, plus warning signs that cannot wait.
Landlords and property managers
Landlord Emergency Repair Guide: What to Fix First
For landlords: which tenant repair calls are true emergencies, what to tell tenants to do first, documentation, entry, and how to get a provider out fast.
Apartment Building Emergency Response Guide
Leaks between units, building-wide heat or water loss, sewer stacks, fire systems and elevators: a response guide for multifamily managers and owners.
Before and during the call
Not Sure Who to Call for a Repair?
Not sure if you need a plumber, electrician, roofer, HVAC tech or restoration company? Match what you see, hear or smell to the right trade, fast.
What to Have Ready When You Call for a Repair
A short checklist for calling about an emergency repair: what to say, photos to take, questions to ask the provider, and how to avoid price and timing surprises.
Seasonal Checklist to Prevent Property Emergencies
A season-by-season checklist that heads off the most common property emergencies: frozen pipes, roof leaks, AC failures, sewer backups and electrical problems.
How RepairNowUSA can help
Call 833-877-1717 and describe what is happening and the property ZIP code. RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider for that kind of work in your area and connects you if one is available. The provider confirms timing, scope and price with you and does the work. Availability and response times vary and are not guaranteed.
Call 833-877-1717Common questions
Which guide should I start with?
Start with what you can see, hear or smell. The "What is happening?" links at the top go straight to the most common emergencies. If you are not sure which trade you need, start with Not sure who to call?
Are these do-it-yourself repair guides?
No. They cover safety, first steps that limit damage, and what to tell a provider. Repairs to plumbing, electrical, gas, roofing and HVAC systems should be done by qualified providers.
Who writes these guides?
The RepairNowUSA Editorial Team, following our editorial standards. Each guide lists public safety sources. Report errors through our corrections page.
Does RepairNowUSA do the repairs?
No. RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. When you call 833-877-1717, RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider in your area. The provider performs the work and sets pricing. Availability is not guaranteed.
What if there is a fire, gas smell or someone hurt?
Call 911 first. For gas odors, leave the building and call the gas utility or 911 from outside. For downed power lines, stay away and call the utility.