Plumbing emergency · San Antonio, TX
Emergency Plumbing in San Antonio, TX
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in San Antonio, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to San Antonio Water System; 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 San Antonio
- 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 San Antonio homes
- Freezes are occasional in San Antonio, 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.
- San Antonio's water is very hard (about 17.5 grains per gallon), which shortens tank water heater life. A tank leaking from the bottom can't be repaired: turn off its power or gas and close the cold-water valve.
- Typical home built
- 1986
- Homes before 1980
- 40%
- Water hardness
- 17.5 gpg
- very 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio: questions
Who do I call about a water main break in San Antonio?
Call San Antonio Water System at 210-704-SAWS (7297). SAWS staffs its water and sewer emergency line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Will SAWS fix a leak on my property in San Antonio?
No. SAWS says it cannot repair plumbing on private property; shut off the water at the meter and hire a plumber.
Who fixes a water main break on my street in San Antonio?
San Antonio Water System 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 San Antonio freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. Because freezes are occasional in San Antonio, many homes have pipes in attics or exterior walls; those are the usual breaks.
Are older San Antonio homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median San Antonio home was built in 1986 and 40% predate 1980. Homes of that era typically have copper or CPVC supply, plastic drains, and in some homes gray polybutylene supply pipe.
Emergency Plumbing near San Antonio
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- 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.
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More plumbing services in San Antonio
- Water Heater Repair in San Antonio, TXWater Heater Repair in San Antonio, TX: water this hard deposits sediment in tank heaters quickly, causing rumbling, lost capacity and burned-out elements.
- Tankless Water Heater Service in San Antonio, TXTankless Water Heater Service in San Antonio, TX: tankless heat exchangers scale up fast in hard water, so descaling on schedule matters more here than in soft-water cities.
- Water Softener Installation in San Antonio, TXWater Softener Installation in San Antonio, TX: at 15 to 20 grains per gallon, many households soften to protect water heaters, fixtures and appliances.
- All plumbing services in San AntonioEvery plumbing service available to San Antonio homes.
Local rules and details for San Antonio
Who to call in San Antonio
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 San Antonio that is San Antonio Water System. 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 San Antonio; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Reporting a water emergency in San Antonio
- San Antonio Water System asks anyone who sees a leak that appears to come from the SAWS water or sewer system to call 210-704-SAWS (7297) any time of day or night. SAWS lists the same number as its Water and Sewer Emergencies line, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [3]
- If you suspect a leak at your own home in San Antonio, SAWS advises shutting off the main water service at the meter. SAWS states that it cannot repair plumbing on private property, so homeowners with a leak on their side will need to hire a plumber. [3]
Other common plumbing calls in San Antonio
- Water Heater Repair: water this hard deposits sediment in tank heaters quickly, causing rumbling, lost capacity and burned-out elements.
- Water Softener Installation: at 15 to 20 grains per gallon, many households soften to protect water heaters, fixtures and appliances.
- Tankless Water Heaters: tankless heat exchangers scale up fast in hard water, so descaling on schedule matters more here than in soft-water cities.
San Antonio facts behind this page
- San Antonio Water System reports typical hardness of 15 to 20 grains per gallon, from calcium carbonate in water drawn from the Edwards and Trinity aquifers. [1]
- The median home in San Antonio was built in 1986. [2]
- About 40% of San Antonio's housing units were built before 1980, the era of galvanized steel supply pipe, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. [2]
- San Antonio Water System asks anyone who sees a leak that appears to come from the SAWS water or sewer system to call 210-704-SAWS (7297) any time of day or night. SAWS lists the same number as its Water and Sewer Emergencies line, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. [3]
- If you suspect a leak at your own home in San Antonio, SAWS advises shutting off the main water service at the meter. SAWS states that it cannot repair plumbing on private property, so homeowners with a leak on their side will need to hire a plumber. [3]
Sources (3)
- San Antonio Water System, Water Quality FAQs · checked 2026-10-01
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- San Antonio Water System, Report Water Leaks · checked 2026-10-19