Plumbing emergency · Providence, RI
Emergency Plumbing in Providence, RI
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in Providence, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to Providence Water; 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 Providence
- 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 Providence homes
- Providence sees regular hard freezes. Burst pipes usually show up when the pipe thaws, so check exposed lines, garages and crawlspaces after a hard freeze.
- 76% of Providence's homes were built before 1980 (median year built 1947). Aging galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay sewer lines are behind many sudden leaks and backups in homes of that age.
- Many older homes still have lead service lines, and the utility's free program covers replacement.
- Cold winters freeze pipes in older homes' exterior walls and porches.
- Typical home built
- 1947
- Homes before 1980
- 76%
- 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 Providence 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 Providence: questions
Who do I call in Providence if the city sewer main backs up on a weekend?
Providence's Sewer Division takes sewer main emergencies at 272-3121 after hours and on weekends, and at 680-7547 on weekdays from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Problems inside your own plumbing need a private plumber.
Does Providence Water answer the phone around the clock for emergencies?
Yes. Providence Water's emergency line, (401) 521-6300, is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Its contact page also distinguishes emergency water shut off requests from non-emergency shut offs.
Who fixes a water main break on my street in Providence?
Providence Water 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 Providence freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. In Providence, check garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls first.
Are older Providence homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median Providence home was built in 1947 and 76% predate 1980. Homes of that era typically have galvanized steel supply lines, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals, often partly replaced over the years.
Is water line repair a common emergency in Providence?
Many older homes still have lead service lines, and the utility's free program covers replacement.
Is frozen pipe repair a common emergency in Providence?
Cold winters freeze pipes in older homes' exterior walls and porches.
Emergency Plumbing near Providence
More plumbing services in Providence
- Drain Cleaning in Providence, RIDrain Cleaning in Providence, RI: original cast iron drains in multi-family homes build up and clog.
- Frozen Pipe Repair in Providence, RIFrozen Pipe Repair in Providence, RI: cold winters freeze pipes in older homes' exterior walls and porches.
- All plumbing services in ProvidenceEvery plumbing service available to Providence homes.
Local rules and details for Providence
Who to call in Providence
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 Providence that is Providence Water. 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 Providence; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Reporting a water emergency in Providence
- The City of Providence Sewer Division handles cleaning, maintenance and repair of City sewer mains, catch basin repair, and repair of broken pipes owned and operated by the City. For sewer main emergencies, residents can call 680-7547 Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, or 272-3121 after hours and on weekends. [3]
- Providence Water lists its main number, (401) 521-6300, as its emergency line, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The utility's contact page also offers separate emergency water shut off and non-emergency water shut off requests, and a Water Quality Hotline for water quality concerns. [4]
Other common plumbing calls in Providence
- Drain Cleaning: original cast iron drains in multi-family homes build up and clog.
Providence facts behind this page
- Providence Water offers free lead service line replacement to all customers in its distribution system and aims to replace every lead service line by 2033, as required by Rhode Island law. [1]
- The median home in Providence was built in 1947. [2]
- About 76% of Providence's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
- The City of Providence Sewer Division handles cleaning, maintenance and repair of City sewer mains, catch basin repair, and repair of broken pipes owned and operated by the City. For sewer main emergencies, residents can call 680-7547 Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, or 272-3121 after hours and on weekends. [3]
- Providence Water lists its main number, (401) 521-6300, as its emergency line, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The utility's contact page also offers separate emergency water shut off and non-emergency water shut off requests, and a Water Quality Hotline for water quality concerns. [4]
Sources (4)
- Providence Water, Lead Service Line Replacement Programs · checked 2026-10-01
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Providence Department of Public Works, Highway and Sewer · checked 2026-10-20
- Providence Water, Contact Us · checked 2026-10-20