These troubleshooting guides walk through safe checks for the most common household plumbing problems, explain what each sign usually means, and say when to stop and call. Most start with a question: is it one fixture or the whole house?
Safety first
If you smell gas, leave the house and call SoCalGas or 911 from outside. If sewage is backing up, stop running water. If a water heater or pipe is leaking, shut off the water supply first. Don't open electrical panels or water heater access covers with the power on.
When it's not your plumbing
Overflowing street manholes go to the Los Angeles County sewer district at 1-800-675-HELP. Leaks at or before the meter go to your water provider, either the City of Lakewood or Golden State Water, depending on which side of the San Gabriel River you live on.