Plumbing emergency · Houston, TX
Emergency Plumbing in Houston, TX
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in Houston, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to Houston Public Works; 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 Houston
- 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 Houston homes
- Freezes are occasional in Houston, which is exactly why they cause damage: pipes in attics, exterior walls and outdoor spigots often aren't protected. In a cold snap, know where your main shutoff is before you need it.
- 44% of Houston's homes were built before 1980 (median year built 1985). Aging galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay sewer lines are behind many sudden leaks and backups in homes of that age.
- Much of Houston's housing sits on slab foundations with water lines underneath, so leaks under the floor are a recurring call.
- Hard freezes are rare but damaging, as the February 2021 storm showed. Pipes in attics and exterior walls are the usual victims.
- Typical home built
- 1985
- Homes before 1980
- 44%
- Water hardness
- 6.4 gpg
- moderately hard
- Winter freezes
- Occasional 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 Houston homeowners with
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 Houston: questions
Who fixes a water main break on my street in Houston?
Houston Public Works 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 Houston freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. Because freezes are occasional in Houston, many homes have pipes in attics or exterior walls; those are the usual breaks.
Are older Houston homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median Houston home was built in 1985 and 44% predate 1980. Homes of that era typically have copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.
Is slab leak repair a common emergency in Houston?
Much of Houston's housing sits on slab foundations with water lines underneath, so leaks under the floor are a recurring call.
Is frozen pipe repair a common emergency in Houston?
Hard freezes are rare but damaging, as the February 2021 storm showed. Pipes in attics and exterior walls are the usual victims.
Emergency Plumbing near Houston
- Emergency Plumbing in San Antonio, TXPlumbing emergency in San Antonio, TX? Who to call (San Antonio Water System or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in San Antonio homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Dallas, TXPlumbing emergency in Dallas, TX? Who to call (City of Dallas or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Dallas homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in El Paso, TXPlumbing emergency in El Paso, TX? Who to call (El Paso Water or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in El Paso homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Arlington, TXPlumbing emergency in Arlington, TX? Who to call (City of Arlington or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Arlington homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Lubbock, TXPlumbing emergency in Lubbock, TX? Who to call (City of Lubbock or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Lubbock homes.
- Emergency Plumbing in Garland, TXPlumbing emergency in Garland, TX? Who to call (City of Garland or a plumber), what to shut off first, and the emergencies most likely in Garland homes.
More plumbing services in Houston
- Sewer Camera Inspection in Houston, TXSewer Camera Inspection in Houston, TX: homes built before 1980 often have cast iron or clay sewer lines. A camera inspection shows their condition before a repair or a home purchase.
- Slab Leak Repair in Houston, TXSlab Leak Repair in Houston, TX: much of Houston's housing sits on slab foundations with water lines underneath, so leaks under the floor are a recurring call.
- All plumbing services in HoustonEvery plumbing service available to Houston homes.
Local rules and details for Houston
Who to call in Houston
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 Houston that is Houston Public Works. 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 Houston; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Other common plumbing calls in Houston
- Sewer Camera Inspection: homes built before 1980 often have cast iron or clay sewer lines. A camera inspection shows their condition before a repair or a home purchase.
Houston facts behind this page
- Houston's main water system is about 86.5% surface water, from the San Jacinto River (Lakes Houston and Conroe) and the Trinity River (Lake Livingston), and the rest is groundwater from deep wells. Hardness in the main system ranged from 43 to 137 ppm and averaged 110 ppm (about 6.4 grains per gallon). [1]
- The median home in Houston was built in 1985. [2]
- About 44% of Houston's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
Sources (2)
- Houston Public Works, 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report · checked 2026-10-01
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01