Plumbing emergency · Alexandria, VA
Emergency Plumbing in Alexandria, VA
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in Alexandria, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to City of Alexandria; anything on your side goes to a licensed plumber, and we connect you with one.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent plumbing contractor serving your area. Calls may be recorded for quality and training. The call and referral are free, and you are never obligated to hire.- Licensed local plumbers
- Free call and referral
- You approve the quote first
Call now for
- Burst pipes
- Major leaks
- Sewage backups
- Overflowing toilets
- Leaking water heaters
Emergency plumbing services in Alexandria
- Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes.
- Sewer BackupSewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets.
- Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature.
- Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps.
- Frozen Pipe RepairThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage.
- Sump Pump Repair and InstallationSump pumps that fail, run constantly or need replacing.
Emergencies we connect you with help for
- Burst or split pipes
- Water leaking through a ceiling
- Sewage backing up into drains
- An overflowing toilet that won't stop
- A water heater leaking from the tank
- No water in the house
Emergencies most likely in Alexandria homes
- Alexandria sees regular hard freezes. Burst pipes usually show up when the pipe thaws, so check exposed lines, garages and crawlspaces after a hard freeze.
- 55% of Alexandria's homes were built before 1980 (median year built 1977). Aging galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay sewer lines are behind many sudden leaks and backups in homes of that age.
- Pipes in exterior walls of old brick houses freeze in cold snaps.
- Typical home built
- 1977
- Homes before 1980
- 55%
- Winter freezes
- Regular hard freezes
The first five minutes
- 1Shut off the waterMain shutoff, or the fixture's own valve.
- 2Cut power near waterOnly from a dry spot.
- 3Gas smell: leave firstCall the gas utility or 911 from outside.
- 4Call and describe itSay what failed and when.
What affects the price
The plumbing company sets the price after seeing the job; ask for it in writing before work starts.
- Time of day, weekends and holidays
- What failed and how much water got out
- Access to the pipe or fixture
- Whether a temporary fix or a full repair is done first
- Parts the plumber has to source
Plumbing work we connect Alexandria homeowners with
Burst Pipe RepairStopping and repairing burst or split pipes. Sewer BackupSewage coming up through floor drains, tubs or toilets. Water Heater RepairNo hot water, leaking tank, strange noises or uneven temperature. Leak DetectionHidden leaks behind walls, ceilings or floors, or a bill that suddenly jumps. Frozen Pipe RepairThawing frozen lines safely and fixing freeze damage. Sump Pump Repair and InstallationSump pumps that fail, run constantly or need replacing.
Emergency Plumbing in Alexandria: questions
Does the City of Alexandria clear sewer stoppages in public lines?
Yes. Alexandria's Sewer Maintenance section opens stoppages and repairs public sanitary and storm sewers. Report problems through Alex311, and call 911 if a damaged hydrant creates an emergency.
Who fixes a water main break on my street in Alexandria?
City of Alexandria handles mains and the service line up to the meter. A plumber handles the line from the meter to the house and everything inside.
What should I do if a pipe bursts during a Alexandria freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. In Alexandria, check garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls first.
Are older Alexandria homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median Alexandria home was built in 1977 and 55% predate 1980. Homes of that era typically have copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron.
Is frozen pipe repair a common emergency in Alexandria?
Pipes in exterior walls of old brick houses freeze in cold snaps.
Emergency Plumbing near Alexandria
- Emergency Plumbing in Virginia Beach, VAPlumbing emergency in Virginia Beach, VA? Who to call (City of Virginia Beach Public Utilities or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Virginia Beach homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Norfolk, VAPlumbing emergency in Norfolk, VA? Who to call (City of Norfolk or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Norfolk homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Chesapeake, VAPlumbing emergency in Chesapeake, VA? Who to call (City of Chesapeake or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Chesapeake homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Newport News, VAPlumbing emergency in Newport News, VA? Who to call (City of Newport News or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Newport News homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Hampton, VAPlumbing emergency in Hampton, VA? Who to call (City of Newport News or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Hampton homes.
More plumbing services in Alexandria
- Sewer Line Repair in Alexandria, VASewer Line Repair in Alexandria, VA: very old laterals in Old Town and Del Ray crack and take in roots.
- Repiping in Alexandria, VARepiping in Alexandria, VA: historic row houses still carry galvanized and old copper lines.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in Alexandria, VAFrozen Pipe Repair in Alexandria, VA: pipes in exterior walls of old brick houses freeze in cold snaps.
- All plumbing services in AlexandriaEvery plumbing service available to Alexandria homes.
Local rules and details for Alexandria
Who to call in Alexandria
Leaks on the street side of the water meter, a broken main or no water on the whole street are for the water utility: in Alexandria that is City of Alexandria. Check its website or your water bill for its emergency line.
Leaks, backups and failures on your side of the meter, inside the house or in your sewer lateral, are a plumber's job. Call us and we connect you with an independent, licensed plumbing company that handles emergency calls in Alexandria; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Reporting a water emergency in Alexandria
- Alexandria's Sewer Maintenance section inspects and repairs storm and sanitary sewers, opens stoppages and replaces sewer mains. The city's system includes 189 miles of storm sewers, 240 miles of sanitary sewers and six miles of combined sewers, and crews use CCTV cameras to investigate emergency overflows. Residents report damaged or leaking hydrants through Alex311 and call 911 if a hydrant creates an emergency. [3]
Other common plumbing calls in Alexandria
- Repiping: historic row houses still carry galvanized and old copper lines.
- Sewer Line Repair: very old laterals in Old Town and Del Ray crack and take in roots.
Alexandria facts behind this page
- Alexandria's drinking water is treated by Fairfax Water at the Corbalis plant on the Potomac River and the Griffith plant at the Occoquan Reservoir, then distributed by Virginia American Water, a private company. [1]
- The median home in Alexandria was built in 1977. [2]
- About 55% of Alexandria's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
- Alexandria's Sewer Maintenance section inspects and repairs storm and sanitary sewers, opens stoppages and replaces sewer mains. The city's system includes 189 miles of storm sewers, 240 miles of sanitary sewers and six miles of combined sewers, and crews use CCTV cameras to investigate emergency overflows. Residents report damaged or leaking hydrants through Alex311 and call 911 if a hydrant creates an emergency. [3]
Sources (3)
- City of Alexandria, Basic Information About Lead in Drinking Water · checked 2026-10-05
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Alexandria, Sewer and Hydrant Maintenance · checked 2026-10-20