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Salt Lake City Water Damage Help: What to Do First and Who to Call

By Gunhee Lee, BluePeak Media · Last reviewed November 6, 2026

Do this now

  • If anyone is in danger, call 911. Get people and pets out of flooded areas first.
  • Stop the water. Close your home's main water shutoff valve if a pipe or fixture is leaking.
  • Stay clear of wet electrical equipment. Turn off power only if you can do it while standing on dry ground.
  • Report city problems like water main breaks or sewage backups to Salt Lake City Public Utilities at 801-483-6700, 24 hours a day.
  • Take photos and video of the damage before you clean up.
  • Start drying fast. The EPA says to dry wet areas within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold.
Illustration of the Salt Lake City skyline below snowy mountains, with a leaking pipe

Water where it shouldn't be is scary. Maybe a pipe burst overnight, the basement took on water, or a ceiling started dripping. You may be wondering who to call first, what it will cost, and whether insurance will help.

You don't have to figure it all out at once. This page covers the first hour, who handles what, and where to go next. Each guide below goes deeper on one part of the process.

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The first hour

1. Make sure everyone is safe. Federal guidance says, "Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water," and to turn off the electricity "if it is safe to do so" (Ready.gov). If water is near your electrical panel, stay away and call an electrician. For a medical emergency or immediate danger, call 911.

2. Stop the source. For a leak inside your home, close the main water shutoff valve. It's often in the basement, a utility room, or a crawl space, near where the water line comes in. Then open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the pipes.

3. Figure out where the water came from. Is it clean water from a supply pipe? Sewage from a drain? Water from outside? The answer tells you who to call (see the table below). The EPA suggests calling a professional with experience in contaminated water if sewage is involved (US EPA).

4. Document everything. Take wide photos of each room, close-ups of the damage, and a short video. Save receipts. Write down who you talk to and when.

5. Call your insurance company. It's usually best to report the damage soon. You can call your insurer yourself; you don't have to wait for a contractor to do it.

6. Start drying. The EPA says, "It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth" (US EPA). If walls, carpet, or ceilings are soaked, you'll likely need fans and dehumidifiers, and maybe a professional drying crew.

Who to call for what

Chart showing who to call for each water problem in Salt Lake City, from city utilities to a plumber, restoration company, electrician or 911
Phone number from Salt Lake City Public Utilities. Outside the city, check your water bill for your provider's emergency line.
Situation Who to call
Water main break in the street, or water bubbling up from the ground Salt Lake City Public Utilities dispatch, 801-483-6700 (24 hours)
Sewage backing up into your home Salt Lake City Public Utilities dispatch, 801-483-6700
No water at all, and you think pipes froze Salt Lake City Public Utilities dispatch, 801-483-6700, to check whether it's on the city's side
Burst or leaking pipe inside your home Shut off the main valve, then call a licensed plumber
Standing water, wet drywall, or soaked carpet A water damage restoration company
Water near the electrical panel or outlets An electrician
Flooding with immediate danger, or someone is hurt 911

A few notes:

Why water damage happens here

Cold winters. Salt Lake City averages about 118 nights a year at or below freezing (National Weather Service Salt Lake City). During the cold snap on January 31, 2023, the city's Department of Public Utilities got more than 130 calls about frozen pipes (FOX 13, 2023).

Aging city pipes. Salt Lake City's water system has about 1,324 miles of pipe, and about 15% of it is around 100 years old, FOX 13 reported. The city recorded 438 water main breaks from July 2022 to June 2023, and officials warned that cold snaps can stress pipes and lead to more breaks in winter (FOX 13, 2024).

Spring runoff. In big snow years, melting snow can push local creeks over their banks. On April 12, 2023, Emigration Creek overflowed and sent water through Wasatch Hollow Park and down 1700 South and 1500 East (Salt Lake City Emergency Management). The next day, Salt Lake County's mayor declared a state of emergency, citing a "historic, record-breaking snowpack" (Salt Lake County).

Older homes. Many Salt Lake City neighborhoods have older houses. In Yalecrest, for example, many homes date to the first few decades of the 20th century (Salt Lake City Historic Preservation). If you own an older home, it's worth knowing where your shutoff valve is and asking a plumber about the condition of your pipes.

Guides for what comes next

Frozen or burst pipe: what to do right now

How to shut off the water, thaw pipes safely, spot a hidden leak, and prevent the next freeze.

How to choose a water damage company in Salt Lake City

How to check a Utah license, what to ask before you sign, and red flags to watch for.

Water damage insurance claims in Utah

How to start a claim, what's usually covered, and what to do if your insurer pushes back.

Restoration bill higher than insurance paid?

How to review the invoice, ask for records, and push back calmly on a surprise balance.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call about a water main break in Salt Lake City?

Call Salt Lake City Public Utilities' 24-hour dispatch line at 801-483-6700 (Salt Lake City Public Utilities). For billing or general questions, customer service is at 801-483-6900, weekdays during business hours (Salt Lake City Public Utilities).

Do I need a plumber or a restoration company?

A plumber fixes the broken pipe or fixture. If water soaked into walls, floors, or ceilings, a restoration company can dry the structure and track moisture until it's dry. You may need both.

How fast do I need to act?

Right away. The EPA says to dry wet areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold (US EPA).

Sources (checked November 2026)

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