Quick answer: In the first hour: water off at the main, pressure relieved at a low faucet, electricity off in wet zones, photos for insurance — then get a licensed plumber dispatched. For an active break, burst pipe repair dispatch in Austin runs 24/7.
Water spreading across the floor, a line hammering behind a wall, or a shower that suddenly runs cold with no explanation — the first hour is what decides whether this is an inconvenience or a real mess. Here’s exactly what to do, in order, before a licensed plumber ever shows up.
Pipe actively leaking right now? Get matched with a licensed Austin-area emergency plumber — free to call, no obligation.
Check 24/7 availability →
Minute 1–5: Find the main shut-off and use it
In most Austin-area homes the main shut-off is at the meter box near the street — you may need a meter key — and/or a valve where the supply line enters the garage. Every fixture and the water heater usually has its own local stop too. If you don’t already know where yours is, this is the moment to find it. Shutting the water off is the single action that reliably stops the damage from growing while you wait for a plumber.
If the valve is seized or won’t turn, don’t force it hard enough to snap it. Move to the main at the meter instead.
Minute 5–10: Kill power or gas if a water heater is involved
If the flooding is coming from the water heater, switch off its breaker (electric units) or turn the gas control to off, then close its cold-inlet valve. That stops it from continuing to feed the leak and makes the area safe. Note the brand and any error code on the unit for the plumber — even a fairly young heater can fail early in Austin’s hard water.
If it’s a burst pipe from a freeze
- Shut off the main immediately.
- Open a cold faucet to relieve pressure in the system.
- Do not apply an open flame to a frozen section of pipe.
- Once the water is off, a licensed plumber can locate the burst section — often in an attic, an exterior wall, or an outdoor hose bib or tankless unit — and repair it before the system is refilled.
Freeze events generate a surge of these calls across the Austin area at the same time, so getting on the line early matters. Our 24/7 emergency plumber in Austin page covers what the dispatched plumber checks first once they’re on site.
If it’s sewage backing up into a tub or drain
Stop using water anywhere in the house immediately — no flushing, no laundry, no dishwasher. Every use pushes more against the blockage and raises the backup. Don’t pour a chemical drain opener down a backed-up main line; it won’t clear it and creates a hazard for whoever clears the line afterward. A licensed plumber runs a camera to find the actual cause, which is often root intrusion in older neighborhoods or construction debris and line sag in newer ones.
If it’s no hot water at all
Check first whether it’s isolated to the water heater or affecting the whole house differently than usual. A tank unit that’s fully cold might have tripped a breaker or a pilot issue; a tankless unit throwing an error code usually needs a licensed plumber to read the code and diagnose it. Either way, shutting off the unit’s water and power/gas is safe to do yourself while you wait.
| What you’re seeing | Likely cause | What helps right now |
|---|---|---|
| Water spreading fast, no obvious source | Failed supply line or fitting (angle stop, braided hose) | Shut nearest stop or the main |
| Warm/wet spot on the slab, rising water bill | Hot-water line leaking under the slab | Shut main, note the spot, don’t dig |
| Banging in the walls when water shuts off | Water hammer — pressure or missing arrestors | Note when it happens, mention it to the plumber |
| Sewage backing up into a tub or floor drain | Main-line blockage — roots, sag, or debris | Stop all water use in the house |
| Pipe froze, now leaking on thaw | Freeze-burst in attic, exterior wall, or outdoor line | Shut main, relieve pressure at a faucet |
Water’s still running and you can’t get it to stop? The 24/7 dispatch line connects you with a TSBPE-licensed Master Plumber.
Get matched to a plumber →What NOT to do
- Don’t go near standing water that’s touching outlets, the breaker panel, or a 240V water heater.
- Don’t use an open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.
- Don’t pour chemical drain opener into a main line that’s actively backing up.
- Don’t force a seized shut-off valve hard enough to snap it — go to the main instead.
For plumbing needs across Greater Austin and the Hill Country — Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Georgetown — the Austin Plumbing Pros dispatch network routes 24/7 requests to TSBPE-licensed Master Plumbers.
FAQ
How fast can an emergency plumber get to my Austin home?
The dispatch line runs 24/7 and routes to the nearest available TSBPE-licensed Master Plumber. Exact timing depends on availability, time of night, and weather, and can’t be guaranteed. Active leaks and sewage backups are treated as priorities.
Where is my main water shut-off?
In most Austin-area homes it’s at the meter box near the street, and/or where the supply line enters the garage. Fixtures and the water heater usually have their own local stops too. Find and test it on a calm day, not during an emergency.
Is a small slab leak really an emergency?
Yes. A hot-water line leaking under a slab runs continuously into ground and framing you can’t see, driving up the water bill and risking the foundation and flooring. Because the water is hidden, the damage compounds quietly.
Do you charge extra for nights, weekends, and holidays?
After-hours emergency call-outs typically carry a higher rate than a scheduled daytime visit, and the dispatched plumber tells you that figure up front before any work. The dispatch call itself is always free.
Sewage is backing up into my tub. What do I do right now?
Stop using water everywhere in the house immediately, no flushing, laundry, or dishwasher, since each use pushes more against the blockage. Don’t pour chemical openers down a backing-up main; a licensed plumber clears the main and cameras the line to find the cause.
Austin Plumbing Pros is a 24/7 Austin plumbing dispatch service that connects homeowners with independent, licensed Texas (TSBPE) Master Plumbers. We are a dispatch and referral service, not a licensed plumbing contractor, and do not perform plumbing work ourselves.