Plumbing emergency · St. Louis, MO
Emergency Plumbing in St. Louis, MO
For a burst pipe, major leak or sewage backup in St. Louis, shut off the water first, then call. Problems on the street side of the meter go to City of St. Louis Water Division; 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 St. Louis
- 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 St. Louis homes
- St. Louis sees regular hard freezes. Burst pipes usually show up when the pipe thaws, so check exposed lines, garages and crawlspaces after a hard freeze.
- 87% of St. Louis's homes were built before 1980 (median year built 1938). Aging galvanized supply pipe and cast iron or clay sewer lines are behind many sudden leaks and backups in homes of that age.
- Heavy storms push water back through basement floor drains in older neighborhoods.
- Typical home built
- 1938
- Homes before 1980
- 87%
- 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis: questions
What is the St. Louis Water Division's emergency number?
The City of St. Louis Water Division's emergency line is (314) 771-4880; regular customer service is (314) 771-2255, weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM.
How do I report water running in the street in St. Louis?
Call the City of St. Louis at 314-622-4800 or submit an online request; there's no fee and you'll get a request ID by email.
What number does St. Louis use for a water emergency outside office hours?
The St. Louis Water Division lists (314) 771-4880 as its emergency line. Its customer service line, (314) 771-2255, is staffed weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM, and running water can also be reported at 314-622-4800.
Is there a 24-hour line for a sewer backup in St. Louis city?
Yes. The city's emergency management page lists the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 24-hour customer service number, (314) 768-6260. For gas odors it lists Spire at (800) 887-4173, and 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
Who fixes a water main break on my street in St. Louis?
City of St. Louis Water Division 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 St. Louis freeze?
Close the main shutoff, open the faucets to drain the lines, and keep heat on. In St. Louis, check garages, crawlspaces and exterior walls first.
Are older St. Louis homes more likely to have plumbing emergencies?
Age matters: the median St. Louis home was built in 1938 and 87% 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 sewer backup a common emergency in St. Louis?
Heavy storms push water back through basement floor drains in older neighborhoods.
Emergency Plumbing near St. Louis
More plumbing services in St. Louis
- Sewer Line Repair in St. Louis, MOSewer Line Repair in St. Louis, MO: about 87% of homes predate 1980, many with original clay or cast iron laterals.
- Sewer Backup Cleanup in St. Louis, MOSewer Backup Cleanup in St. Louis, MO: heavy storms push water back through basement floor drains in older neighborhoods.
- Repiping in St. Louis, MORepiping in St. Louis, MO: galvanized supply lines in century-old brick homes corrode and restrict flow.
- All plumbing services in St. LouisEvery plumbing service available to St. Louis homes.
Local rules and details for St. Louis
Who to call in St. Louis
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 St. Louis that is City of St. Louis Water Division. 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 St. Louis; when they can arrive depends on that company and the time of day.
Reporting a water emergency in St. Louis
- The City of St. Louis Water Division lists an emergency phone line of (314) 771-4880, separate from its customer service number (314) 771-2255, which operates Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. The Water Division is located at 1640 S. Kingshighway, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. [3]
- St. Louis residents can report running water, open hydrants, water quality issues or missing manhole covers to the City by calling 314-622-4800 or submitting an online request through the Citizens' Service Bureau. There is no fee, and requesters receive an email with a request ID. [4]
- The City of St. Louis Water Division lists a dedicated emergency line, (314) 771-4880, separate from its customer service number, (314) 771-2255, which is answered Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Residents can also report running water, open hydrants, water quality issues or missing manhole covers to the city at 314-622-4800 or through an online service request. [4]
- The City of St. Louis Emergency Management local planning page lists the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 24-hour customer service line as (314) 768-6260. The same page lists Spire Gas customer service at (800) 887-4173 and Ameren at (800) 552-7583, and directs residents to dial 911 in an emergency. [5]
Other common plumbing calls in St. Louis
- Sewer Line Repair: about 87% of homes predate 1980, many with original clay or cast iron laterals.
- Repiping: galvanized supply lines in century-old brick homes corrode and restrict flow.
St. Louis facts behind this page
- The City of St. Louis Water Division treats water from two rivers: the Chain of Rocks plant on the Mississippi and the Howard Bend plant on the Missouri. Treatment includes softening. [1]
- The median home in St. Louis was built in 1938. [2]
- About 87% of St. Louis'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 St. Louis Water Division lists an emergency phone line of (314) 771-4880, separate from its customer service number (314) 771-2255, which operates Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. The Water Division is located at 1640 S. Kingshighway, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110. [3]
- St. Louis residents can report running water, open hydrants, water quality issues or missing manhole covers to the City by calling 314-622-4800 or submitting an online request through the Citizens' Service Bureau. There is no fee, and requesters receive an email with a request ID. [4]
- The City of St. Louis Water Division lists a dedicated emergency line, (314) 771-4880, separate from its customer service number, (314) 771-2255, which is answered Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. Residents can also report running water, open hydrants, water quality issues or missing manhole covers to the city at 314-622-4800 or through an online service request. [4]
- The City of St. Louis Emergency Management local planning page lists the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District 24-hour customer service line as (314) 768-6260. The same page lists Spire Gas customer service at (800) 887-4173 and Ameren at (800) 552-7583, and directs residents to dial 911 in an emergency. [5]
Sources (5)
- City of St. Louis Water Division, Water Treatment · checked 2026-10-01
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- City of Saint Louis Water Division · checked 2026-10-19
- City of St. Louis, Report a City Water Problem · checked 2026-10-19
- City of St. Louis Emergency Management, Local Emergency Planning - Links and Training · checked 2026-10-20