🚨 Free Tool · Safety-First

Is this a plumbing emergency?

Tap what’s happening and get clear, safety-first steps — whether to shut off the water, when it’s a 2 a.m. call, and when it can wait until morning. Free, no sign-up.

✓ Instant guidance✓ Safety steps first✓ No sign-up
Local NetworkMaster Plumbers in every ZIP
🛡
TSBPE LicensedEvery dispatched plumber
Under 60 minAvg emergency dispatch
💰
Free EstimatesOn any $500+ job

Is this a plumbing emergency?

Pick the situation that fits best. You’ll get what to do right now and how urgent it is. In any life-threatening emergency, call 911. How we build this guidance.

What’s happening right now?

The one move that saves most homes

For almost every water emergency, the first step is the same: shut off the water. Know where your main shut-off is (usually near the meter at the street, or where the line enters the house) before you ever need it — and make sure everyone in the household knows too. For a single fixture, the stop valve under the sink or behind the toilet is faster. Stopping the flow turns a catastrophe into a cleanup. For a suspected gas leak, the priority is different: leave first, then call 911 and your gas utility from outside.

Need a licensed plumber now?

24/7 dispatch connects you with an independent, TSBPE-licensed Austin plumber. Calls are free.

Plumbing emergencies — common questions

Is a running toilet or slow drain an emergency?
Usually no — those can be scheduled. They still waste water and can worsen, so it’s worth fixing, but you don’t need 2 a.m. service.
What should I do first in a real plumbing emergency?
For most water emergencies, shut off the water (the fixture stop valve, or the main shut-off near the meter) to stop the damage, then call. If you smell gas, leave the house first and call 911 and your gas utility from outside — do not flip switches or use phones indoors.
Does this checker replace a professional?
No. It’s general guidance to help you triage and act safely. A licensed plumber confirms the problem on site.
Get matched