Emergency Plumbing
Quick answer
A plumbing emergency is water you cannot stop at a fixture valve: a burst or split pipe, a leaking water heater tank, sewage coming up a drain, or no water at all. Close the main shutoff first, then call (888) 217-6781 to reach a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP. Angi puts emergency plumber rates around $150 an hour, plus a trip fee of $100–$350.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Signs you need a plumber
- Water spraying or pouring from a pipe, or coming through a ceiling
- Sewage or dirty water coming up a tub, shower or floor drain
- A water heater leaking from the tank or discharging from its relief valve
- No water anywhere in the house while neighbors have it
- A toilet overflowing that will not stop after you close its valve
Close the main water shutoff before anything else; every minute an open pipe runs adds water to the floor and walls. If water is near outlets or the panel, keep clear of it and turn off that circuit only if you can reach the breaker on dry ground.
What to check before you call
- Find and close the main shutoff (where the line enters the house, or in the box near the street)
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain the lines once the main is closed
- Water heater: close its cold supply valve and turn off the power or set the gas to off
- Sewage backup: stop running water anywhere in the house until the plumber clears the line
- Take photos of the leak and the damage for your insurer
What the plumber does
- 1
Stops the water
Isolates the failed section so the rest of the house can have water back where possible.
- 2
Repairs or caps the line
Replaces the split section, the failed valve or the supply line, or caps it until a full repair.
- 3
Clears a backup
Snakes or jets the drain or main sewer line and finds what blocked it, often with a camera.
Emergency plumbing cost
| Job | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency plumber rate | about $150 per hour | Angi |
| Emergency trip fee | $100–$350, flat | Angi |
| Plumber labor, regular hours | $45–$200 per hour (about $100 average) | Angi |
After-hours, weekend and holiday visits cost more than a booked weekday visit. Ask how the company charges before the work starts. Sources: Angi cost guides (2025).
Ready to book a plumber?
One call reaches a plumbing company taking calls in your ZIP.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Emergency plumbing: common questions
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Water you cannot stop with a fixture valve, sewage coming up a drain, a leaking water heater tank, or no water at all. A dripping faucet or a slow drain can wait for a booked visit.
Should I call a plumber or a water damage company first?
Stop the water first. A plumber fixes the pipe; if water has already soaked flooring, drywall or a ceiling, drying it is a separate job for a restoration company.
How much more does an emergency plumber cost?
Angi puts emergency rates around $150 an hour plus a flat trip fee of $100–$350, against about $100 an hour for regular hours. Ask for the rate and the trip fee on the call.
Will the plumber tell me when they can come?
YesThe company that answers gives you its arrival window for your address on the call, based on its schedule that day.
Other plumbing services
(888) 217-6781 is the plumbing line. HearthDry is a referral service; the company you reach is independent.