Drain disasters don’t stick to business hours. If you’ve ever woken up to a flooded basement, seen an ominous ceiling stain after a pipe burst, or watched your toilet water rise (and keep rising) you know: being prepared is everything.
At Drain King Inc., we handle emergencies 24/7 across Minneapolis and beyond, so we’ve seen it all. Here’s our handy, stress-busting action plan for what to do when things suddenly get wet — fast.
1. Stop the Water ASAP
Your #1 move in a pipe emergency? Cut off the water supply immediately. This quick thinking can save thousands in damage.
Find the Main Shut-Off Valve: Usually where the main water line enters your home or building — sometimes in the basement, utility closet, or even outside.
Twist the valve clockwise to turn it off.
Shut the Fixture Valve (if possible): If the issue is isolated to a toilet, sink, or appliance, locate the small valve on the pipe leading to that fixture and shut it off.
Pro Tip: Can’t find the shut-off? Now’s the perfect time to check, label, and make sure everyone in your home or workplace knows where it is!
2. Contain & Redirect the Damage
Seconds count once water starts flowing somewhere it shouldn’t.
Move belongings: Quickly remove rugs, furniture, and personal items from the affected area, especially anything valuable or sentimental.
Create a barrier: Use towels, sheets, or whatever’s handy to block water from spreading.
Catch drips: Set out buckets or pans under ceiling leaks or pipe bursts.
If there’s lots of water, consider using a wet/dry vacuum — but only if it’s safe to do so and not near electrical hazards.
3. Shut Down Electricity IF Safe
Electricity and water don’t mix — ever. If water is pooling near outlets or appliances:
Locate your home’s breaker box and flip the breakers to any affected areas before wading in.
Never touch electrical devices while standing in water!
If you suspect major flooding, sewer backup, or unsafe conditions, it’s best to wait for professionals (like Drain King) or the fire department.
4. Assess the Situation (But Skip the DIY Repairs)
Take a moment to check how serious the issue is:
Common emergencies: Burst pipes, sewage backups, overflowing toilets, water heater failures, mysterious puddles or flooding.
Jot down what happened, where water is coming from, and how fast things are getting worse.
While you might be tempted to patch a leak or “MacGyver” a fix, resist the urge! Temporary band-aids (like plumber’s tape or rubber wraps) can buy time, but big repairs are best for licensed techs.
5. Document Everything
For both insurance claims and peace of mind:
Take photos/videos of the damage — the leak, affected walls/floors, and any possessions that get wet.
Keep receipts and notes on any emergency steps you take.
Sometimes your insurance company wants a clear “before” and “after.” Good documentation means faster, smoother claims.
6. Call for Professional Backup
Even if you’ve done everything right, most drain emergencies need fast, expert help. Now’s the time to contact a licensed plumber.
Call Drain King’s 24/7 Emergency Service: We have teams in the Minneapolis area ready to dispatch day or night. Reach us right away through our emergency service request form or call our main number (find it here).
Have these ready to share:
Your name, address, and a callback number
The issue (what, where, how long, how bad)
Whether water/electric are shut off
If anyone’s at risk (elderly, young children, etc.)
Why choose Drain King? We offer transparent pricing, true 24/7 response, and have some of the most experienced techs (plus the best drain-cleaning tools) in the Twin Cities.
7. Get Guidance While You Wait
You aren’t alone! When you call us, our technician will walk you through additional steps specific to your emergency:
Whether tap water is safe to drink
Should you keep drains open or closed
When it’s safe to re-enter an area
We may also advise contacting your utility provider, especially if gas or electrical systems are involved.
8. Plan Ahead (So Next Time Isn’t So Stressful)
Wish you’d been better prepared? Most people do — until it happens again! Here’s how to be proactive:
Make a plumbing emergency kit: Include large towels, a wrench for the shut-off valve, buckets, flashlight, gloves, and a list of emergency contacts.
Label your shut-off valves. Use bright tags or paint, and show everyone in the household (or all employees) where they are.
Schedule annual plumbing check-ups. Our routine maintenance services majorly reduce your risk for surprise disasters — especially old pipes, tree root blockages, or frozen lines.
Know your insurance policy: Be clear on what’s covered, and keep your insurer’s contact info handy.
Walk through true “worst case scenarios” with staff or family. Practice what steps to take, who grabs what, and where to meet if evacuation’s necessary.
9. Stay Safe — Every Time
Always remember: Your safety is the most important thing. If a situation seems dangerous (major flooding, fast leaks, risk of shock), evacuate and don’t try to handle it yourself.
If you ever feel overwhelmed or unsure, Drain King is here 24/7. No scary surprises, just clear advice and fast, skilled service when you need it most.
Bonus: Common Drain Emergencies and What to Remember
Burst pipe: Turn off water at main; open faucets to drain lines; catch leaking water.
Overflowing toilet: Turn off water behind toilet; use towels to contain spills; avoid flushing!
Sewer backup: Avoid all contact with water; keep kids and pets away; ventilate area if possible.
Water heater leak: Turn off cold-water supply; switch off power or gas to the unit.
Trusted 24/7 Emergency Drain Care in Minneapolis
With the right action plan, you can reduce stress, limit water damage, and keep your home or business safe.
Save this page, share it with friends and coworkers, and—if you need us—reach Drain King Inc. any time, day or night. We’re proud to be the Twin Cities’ go-to emergency plumbing solution.
Have you ever walked into a public restroom or a restroom in an office building and been hit with a strong, unpleasant odor? This may be the result of a dirty or clogged floor drain. Floor drains are found in many places like commercial restrooms and industrial spaces, near and around water heaters, in basements, kitchens, or laundry rooms.
The floor drain captures overflow water from sinks, toilets, tubs, rain, and any other pipe in your home, and then directs it safely to a sewer or municipal storm drain, so floors stay dry and rooms do not flood.
If you have floor drains in your home or business and you smell something bad coming from them, it’s typically because the traps have dried out. Floor drains have a U-shaped or P-trap pipe, just like your bathroom sink drain. The U-shaped pipe is designed to hold water that stands in the pipe and prevents sewer gases from coming up through the drain. If you smell sewer gas, fill the drain with a five-gallon bucket of water. This will seal off sewer gases and also let you see if the drain is working properly.
Floor drains become clogged just like any other drain, even more often because they’re on the floor where dirt collects. If your floor drain is clogged or slow, take steps to remove the clog. Use a drain auger or snake to see if you can reach the clog. Floor drains are often connected to longer pipes, so if you are still having problems, please call our professionals at Drain King. We can unclog and, if needed, clean out the pipe.
For those who live outside the city and have a septic system, it is important to take proper care of your septic tank. If it is maintained properly, you will have minimal problems and will save money on repairs in the future.
When planning landscaping, gutters, and foundation drains, it is essential to make certain rainwater is diverted so the septic tank and drain field don’t become overloaded. A drain field that has collected excess water will not be able to absorb and neutralize liquid waste. Keep trees about 100 feet away from the septic system, so they don’t damage it. Trees like willows have an aggressive root system and need to be planted even further away. Vehicles must not be driven on, or parked on top of the septic tank. Neither should any structure, concrete, or asphalt cover the tank. Large farm animals must also be kept away. The weight any of these would add can damage it.
Inside your home, make sure faucets and toilets don’t leak, use aerators and low flow nozzles on faucets and showers to help with lowering water usage, use the right setting for small loads of laundry, run the dishwasher when full, and install a displacer on your toilet to reduce the amount of water used.
Only use toilet paper in your toilet. Things like cat litter, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and tampons, paper towels, tissues, and cigarette butts will quickly clog your septic tank.
If you have a garbage disposal, make sure it can grind food into tiny particles that are easier for your septic system to break down. A lower quality disposal can increase the amount of solids waste that empties into your tank. Never pour grease down the drain. It can cause clogs and make it difficult for liquids to be absorbed by the soil.
Use of heavy cleaners will kill the good bacteria in the septic tank, which can hinder the breakdown of solids. It is also important to properly dispose of varnish, paint thinners, motor oil, gasoline, and other similar chemicals. If poured down the drain, they can ruin your septic system and get into the groundwater.
Regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspecting should be performed by a licensed contractor like the professionals at Drain King. Our technicians are experienced in emptying septic tanks and have the permits needed to collect and dispose of waste. Solids need to be pumped from the tank every 3-5 years. This can vary depending on the size of the tank, the number of people residing in the home, and whether what is allowed into the tank is controlled. The baffles inside the tank should be inspected when it is emptied to make sure the waste is being properly dispersed within the tank and no solid waste is getting into the field lines. If the baffles are damaged, major—costly—problems can quickly develop.
Sewers and drains are important parts of a building structure. While drains are easier to maintain and clean, sewers require more time and money when they clog. Sewers are installed deep underground, so most likely, you will not think of them unless they have become a problem.
What are the Signs of a Clogged Sewer?
Toilets –Typically, toilets are designed to flow into the most direct path to the sewer, so if there is a problem in your sewer pipes, you will probably encounter difficulties in flushing them. Water backing up when flushing is a sure sign of a sewer problem. The flushed water cannot go down the drain when the sewer pipes are clogged.
Kitchen Sink/Tub Drain–If you run water in the sink or bathtub and can see bubbles or the water is draining slowly, chances are your drains or sewers are clogged.
Nasty Smell–Collected water from overflowing, hidden drains emits a foul odor. Sometimes, you will first notice the odor before you even realize you have a sewer problem.
Common Causes of Clogged Sewers and Drains
Collapsed/Broken Sewer Lines
Collapsed or broken sewer lines can cause blockage. Sewer lines break due to old age, presence of large roots, structural settings, and soil movement. Our plumbing professionals can discover the cause by inserting a rodding machine or inspection camera along the sewer lines.
Grease/Oil Deposits
Grease and oil deposits are the most common cause of blocked sewer lines. Some people believe that it is okay to pour greasy substance down the sink or toilet as long as you follow it up with hot water. While grease flows into the sewer lines as liquid, it will solidify as it cools down, causing blockage over time.
Hair
Blocked drains in the bathroom or tub are usually caused by fallen hairs. Hairs sit in the pipes and accumulate over time, blocking the flow of water. As preventive maintenance, you can use a filter that will trap fallen hair particles before they enter the drain system.
Bath Salts
Bath salts have become popular and are widely used, but these products do not dissolve. When they go down the drain, they will accumulate and cause problems.
Improper Wastes
Sanitary sewer lines are specifically fabricated to accept human wastes. Other items such as paper towels, feminine sanitary pads, condoms, diapers, baby wipes, dental floss, and solid food particles can cause blockage when flushed down the toilet or sink. Foods such as rice and pasta expand as they absorb water from the pipes and may cause blockage.
As a property owner, you will experience clogs or sewer blockage at some point in time. When this happens, it is recommended that you call on experts like Drain King who have the skills and experience to solve the worst drainage and sewer problems. You might be tempted to fix the problem yourself, but improper handling of store-bought cleaning products may cause more harm than good. Some can even damage your esophagus when inhaled.
A septic system is a catch basin for all the solid and liquid waste that is collected from a home’s drains and toilets. Each time you wash your hands at the bathroom sink, wash dishes in your kitchen sink, take a shower, or flush the toilet, wastewater drains from your house into a tank that makes up a septic system. For houses that are not serviced by public sewers, homeowners must install a septic system to trap, treat, and dispose of wastewater.
Septic systems must be well-maintained in order to function properly and to provide reliable service for years to come. Poorly functioning systems can cause property damage, pollution, and even disease. Though a significant financial investment, a well-constructed system is a necessity for any homeowner or property owner, especially if he plans to sell his home in the future.
Main Parts of a Septic System
A typical septic system consists of three parts.
The tank or septic tankIn a typical home, a septic tank may be constructed of concrete or steel and can hold about 1,000 gallons of water. It is buried near the home, and wastewater drains into and collects within it. There are three layers in a typical septic tank. The first is the scum layer, composed of anything that floats. The bottom layer is called the sludge layer, where waste that is heavier than water sinks. The middle layer may look fairly clear, but this is where bacteria and toxic chemicals reside.
The drainfieldThe liquid or middle layer of the septic tank contents flow to the drainfield. As new wastewater enters the septic tank from the house, old water is released through a series of perforated pipes that are typically 4 inches in diameter. These pipes are buried in a trench 4 to 6 feet deep and filled with gravel.
The soilThe drainfield drains into soil below. Wastewater that drains into the soil is treated by microorganisms then seeps through the ground and into surface water. The soil must be made of an even mixture of clay and gravel in order to treat wastewater effectively.
Putting it all Together
As wastewater leaves the sink, toilet, or shower stall, it passes through a series of pipes that drain to the septic tank. This wastewater flows into the tank and forces the water that has been collected there out into the drainfield. Feces flushed from the toilet will sink in the tank, while the liquid part will drain into the drainfield. Gravity pretty much does all the work in a typical sewage system. Toxic gases are released, as organic material is broken down. These gases pass from the tank through a vent pipe that reaches up to the roof of a house.
Septic-tank maintenance includes collecting the sludge that has accumulated in the bottom of the tank and checking on the function of the drain field pipes and pipes that run from the home’s drains to the septic tank. A professional contractor should do this periodically.
Whenever the temperature at your home or business is expected to drop below 32°F for longer than a few days, it is important to make sure your outside oil lines and heating tanks are well protected.
Oil will not freeze, but tanks and oil lines that are located outside a home or in an unheated space could freeze and lose their heat. The main reason for this is, the oil in the lines will get cloudy and then become gelled or waxed, preventing it from flowing. When this happens, you will lose your heat.
There are a few steps you can take to make sure you are prepared for a prolonged cold spell. Start by adding a fuel oil treatment to help prevent the oil from gelling or waxing. After adding a fuel oil treatment, the simplest and least expensive solution is to insulate the piping and fittings at the tank with pipe insulation and a strong tape, like duct tape. This step will need to be done before a problem occurs and the tank freezes, but is an easy way to winterize your tank before the cold snap hits.
Protecting your tank and the oil lines from freezing may be accomplished by wrapping the exposed areas in insulation and heat tape. Should the lines already be frozen, you will need to thaw them with sustained heat until they begin flowing again—then apply the insulation and tape. Follow the instructions carefully or call a Drain King professional plumber to avoid overheating the pipes.
We also recommend using only a single line extending from the tank that stores the oil rather than a two-pipe system. The single oil line will keep the oil warmer and will have less time away from the heat exchange.
Another option for an outside tank is to use kerosene instead of heating oil. Kerosene will store at colder temperatures and will not need any additives or treatments to keep the lines from clogging. This is a headache-free solution. While kerosene is more expensive, it may be a more suitable option if you live in a region where it stays cold for long periods of time and if building a shed or protecting the unit from the elements is not an option.
