Plumbing emergencies never seem to happen at a good time. Even if you have time to deal with a plumbing issue, you should rely on a plumber's expertise because panic can set in when you see a busted pipe or an overflowing toilet. When you're waiting for help, you should do everything possible to minimize the damage, especially if your issue is one of the following top five plumbing emergencies.

1. Burst Water Pipes

Broken water pipes redirect water from the pipes into your home. When a water pipe breaks, you may see a small leak, a stream of water, or water spots on your walls or ceiling. Some broken pipes, such as the ones behind walls or fixtures, may take longer to show visible signs. If you suspect a burst pipe, turn off the house's main water valve. Turn on a cold-water faucet to drain remaining water from the water lines and call a plumber.

2. Clogged Drains and Toilets

An overflowing toilet or drain can flood your home within minutes. If the water is from the toilet, sewage can contaminate everything in your home from the baseboards to your rugs or furniture. Some clogs may be simple to correct, but you may not be able to tell the difference until you've tried to fix an overflowing toilet or drain.

How do you fix a leaking toilet? Take off the tank cover and raise the float arm to stop the water flow into the toilet. If you can't find the float arm or lifting it doesn't stop the overflow, turn off the water valve on the wall toward the toilet base. Once the water stops, remove any clog with a plunger, a plumbing snake or an unclogging agent.

How do you fix a clogged drain? Turn off the water and try to remove the clog with plumbing tools or chemicals.

What if a leak doesn't stop? Then, you have a more serious issue. A large blockage in the sewage line, such as accumulated tree roots, can backup every drain in your home. This is usually the case if sewage comes up through the toilets, drains or the laundry room floor. If this happens, turn off the main water line until a plumber can fix clogged drains.

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3. Frozen Water Pipes

Frozen water lines usually occur outside at the point where the water line enters the house. Most people shouldn't have to worry about water freezing inside homes, but it's possible. When water freezes, it expands and can bust the pipes. If you see a broken water pipe, leave it alone and call a plumber. The pipe won't leak unless it thaws.

If the pipe didn't break, try to thaw the water line by pouring hot water over it. Never use an open flame because the heat can cause the pipe to break. Also, avoid trying to defrost the pipe with an electrical tool, such as a blow dryer — electrocution is a real threat! Once the plumber fixes this emergency, insulate your pipes to keep them from freezing again.

4. Leaky Plumbing Fixtures

Leaky plumbing fixtures may not seem like emergencies, but a large leak or an improperly draining appliance can cause major damage to your home. Shut off the main water valve, check for secure plumbing connections and remove any debris that might be clogging the drain. Turn the main water valve back on and see whether you fixed the problem. If you see a leak, turn off the main water valve and call for help.

5. Gas Leaks

A gas leak is a serious issue. If you smell gas in your house, leave immediately! Even a small spark from turning on a light could explode the gas. Call your gas company or an emergency plumber from your neighbor's house or from an area outside your home.

Plumbing emergencies aren't fun, but you can save money and time if you know how to respond to a situation. Locate your main water value before you experience a common plumbing problem so you will know where to go if a flood does start. You may be able to use DIY plumbing repairs to fix minor leaks, but you could cause further damage to your home or your plumbing system if you try to fix major problems. When in doubt, call a plumbing professional.