Emergency Plumbing Services in Houston
Plumbing emergencies get expensive because of water damage, not because of the broken part. If water is running where it should not be, shut off the supply first, then request service. Drywall, flooring and cabinets absorb water fast.
What to do first
Before you send anything, do what you can to stop the damage. Water damage is what makes a plumbing emergency expensive, and most of it happens in the first hour.
Shut the water off if you can reach the valve safely. Fixture shut offs are behind the toilet or under the sink. The main is usually at the meter box near the street.
Stay out of standing water that is near outlets, cords, a water heater or an electrical panel. Water plus electricity is the part that hurts people.
Turn off power to a flooded area at the breaker only if the panel is dry and you can reach it safely.
For a gas water heater that is leaking water, close the cold water inlet valve on top of the tank. If you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility from outside.
Move furniture, rugs and boxes out of the water. Pull up what you can. Photos of the damage help with insurance later.
Do not run more water through a line that is backing up. Stop using every fixture on that side of the house until it is cleared.
Then send a request and describe it. Location of the water, what you shut off, and how long it has been running.
Is this a plumbing emergency?
Treat it as urgent if any of these are happening right now.
Burst pipe
Water spraying or pouring from a line, in a wall, in the attic or under the house.
Major water leak
Water spreading across flooring, running down a wall, or a ceiling stain that is growing.
Sewer backup
Waste water coming up through a floor drain, tub or toilet. This is a health issue, not a clog.
Overflowing toilet
The bowl will not stop rising and the shut off behind it is stuck or missing.
Water heater leaking
Water pooling at the base of the tank or running from the top connections.
No water at all
Supply loss after a freeze, a break in the yard, or a valve that failed closed.
Freeze events and Houston plumbing
Houston does not get many hard freezes, which is exactly why pipes break here. Exposed lines on exterior walls, hose bibs without covers, attic runs and slab penetrations are the common failure points, and the break usually shows up when things thaw rather than during the cold.
If you lost water during a freeze and it came back with a leak, treat it as urgent. A line that split under insulation can run for days before anyone notices.
What urgent requests usually turn into
Isolating and repairing a split or corroded section of supply line
Clearing a main line that is backing up into the house
Replacing a failed shut off valve or supply connector
Shutting down and draining a leaking water heater, then repair or replacement
Repairing a leak under a slab after locating it
Capping a line so the rest of the house can have water back tonight
Questions people ask us
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Water you cannot stop, sewage inside the building, or no water at all. Those three cover most of it. A dripping faucet or a single slow drain is a repair you can schedule. If water is actively damaging the building, or waste water is where people walk, it is urgent.
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Close the main shut off at the meter, then open the lowest faucet in the house to drain pressure out of the lines. Keep people away from standing water near electrical. Move belongings, take photos, and request service. Leave the wall or ceiling alone until someone can see the break.
Should I shut my water off?
Yes, if water is escaping and you can reach the valve. Shutting the water off costs you a few inconvenient hours. Leaving it on can cost you flooring, cabinets and drywall. If the fixture valve will not turn, go to the main at the meter box.
What if my water heater is leaking?
Close the cold water inlet valve on top of the heater. For electric, switch off its breaker. For gas, set the control to off or pilot. Do not open the drain valve into a finished room. A wet tank base often means the tank itself is failing, which points to replacement rather than repair.
What if sewage is backing up?
Stop using water anywhere in the building, including washers and dishwashers, because every gallon has to go somewhere. Keep people and pets out of the area. This is usually a blockage in the main line rather than the fixture you are looking at, so it needs a main line clearing and often a camera inspection.
Ready to get this fixed?
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