A Shelf of Tools for Wet Emergencies

In a nutshell

A flashlight, a wrench, a plunger, rags, buckets and a wet vac handle most small plumbing emergencies until help arrives.

Beyond tools, the most useful thing in the kit is information. Write down where the main valve is, which breaker controls the sump pump and the water heater, the gas meter location, and three phone numbers: a plumber, your insurer and Toronto Hydro. Tape the list inside the electrical panel door, where it will survive a basement flood if the panel is mounted high enough. Walk the rest of the household over to it. In a real emergency, people forget details they knew perfectly well an hour before.

A few extras earn their place: a pair of rubber boots, nitrile gloves, a roll of heavy contractor bags for soaked items, and a headlamp so you have two hands free. Children old enough to stay home alone can learn to close the toilet stop valve, which handles the most common overflow.

Working through it

1. Flashlight

With fresh batteries.

2. Adjustable wrench

For stubborn valves.

3. Flange plunger

For toilets.

4. Rags and buckets

To contain spills.

5. Wet vac

For larger amounts.

6. Pipe repair clamp

For a small split.

Clues worth noticing

• Missing or dead flashlight.
• No idea where valves are.
• No emergency numbers written down.
• No wet vac.

Signals that it needs a licensed plumber

Write our number on the inside of the cabinet door. See emergency plumber.