Emergency plumbing in Houston starts with you, in the first five minutes, before any plumber is involved. If you smell gas, leave and call 911. If water is running, close the main shut-off valve. Then call us: phones open at 7 AM Sunday through Friday and close at 8 PM, or at 6 PM on Friday. Saturday is closed.
What counts as emergency plumbing in Houston?
Four problems count, and each has a different first move:
- Gas smell or hissing: leave now
- Water you cannot stop: close the main shut-off valve
- Sewage coming up inside: stop using water
- No water, or a leaking water heater: check with neighbors, then shut the tank's cold-water valve
Everything else can usually wait for a scheduled visit. Answer the questions below if you are not sure.
60-second triage: emergency or can it wait?
Do you smell gas or hear hissing near a gas line?
Smell gas? Leave, then call 911 and CenterPoint
Get everyone out first, on foot. The Railroad Commission of Texas says to leave right away and not to use lights, appliances or a phone in the area.
Once you are well away, call 911, then the CenterPoint Energy gas leak line at 713-659-2111 or 888-876-5786. If another company supplies your gas, its number is on your bill. Do not go back for anything, and do not try to find the leak.
Our part comes later. Once crews have cleared the house, we can look at the gas line repair during open hours.
Water running? Close the main shut-off valve
Close the main before you do anything else. On a Houston slab home, check the outside wall closest to the meter, then the garage, then any small yard box on the line to the house. Turn a lever a quarter turn, or a round handle clockwise until it stops.
If the leak is on a hot line, turn the water heater off as well. Then open a low faucet to drain what is left in the pipes, and photograph the damage. A burst pipe repair comes next.
Water off and still worried? Call during open hours and we will talk it through.
- ★ 5.0 on Google, 18 reviews
- Sun–Thu 7 AM–8 PM · Fri 7 AM–6 PM · Sat closed
- Clear, upfront quote
Our emergency plumber hours, and who to call when phones are closed
Our phones are open Sunday through Thursday, 7 AM to 8 PM. Friday closes earlier: 7 AM to 6 PM. We are closed Saturday. That leaves a 37-hour gap from Friday evening to Sunday morning, so read this table before you need it:
| Situation | Who to call | How |
|---|---|---|
| Fire, injury, gas smell | 911 | Dial 911 from outside |
| Gas leak | CenterPoint Energy | 713-659-2111 or 888-876-5786 |
| Leak in the street or a hydrant, Houston | Houston 311 | 311, or 713-837-0311 outside city limits |
| Sewage at the street cleanout, Houston | Houston 311 | Same, or the Houston 311 app |
| Same problems, suburbs and districts | Your water utility | Number on your water bill |
| Soaked floors or walls | Your insurer's claims line | Number on your policy |
| Sewage or heavy water damage indoors | A water-damage restoration company | Ask your insurer, or see below |
The City says its 311 call center is staffed around the clock. Reports go to Houston Public Works, and repairs can take time.
For the restoration call, the Texas Department of Insurance help line, 800-252-3439, can help you reach your insurer. The EPA says to use a professional with contaminated-water experience for sewage. Mold work in Texas is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and the IICRC, a cleaning and restoration trade body, lists certified firms at iicrc.org.
Which emergency service do you need?
Choose by what you see. Water from a pipe, ceiling or wall goes to emergency leak repair. Sewage at a floor drain, tub or first-floor toilet goes to emergency sewer backup.
Emergency Leak Repair
Stop the water at the main valve, then reach us in posted hours for the repair.
Emergency Sewer Backup
Stop using water, find out whose line is blocked, then call the right people.
When you call during open hours, each visit includes a look at the cause, a plain explanation, and a clear, upfront quote before repairs. Hot water trouble with no leak can usually wait for water heater repair, and a wet patch with no visible source calls for leak detection.
Why PipeElectric for urgent plumbing problems?
The honest answer starts with what we do and do not offer. We are not open every hour, and we would rather tell you that than leave you waiting.
- Our hours are printed here, so you know when someone will answer.
- Google lists a 5.0 rating and 18 reviews.
- Customers say the problem gets explained plainly, which helps on a bad day.
- A clear, upfront quote comes before any repair.
Two authorities apply to urgent work here: the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners for plumber licensing, and the Houston Permitting Center for permits inside the city.
Inside our hours, these pages apply across Houston and to neighbors like Pasadena, Humble, Missouri City and Deer Park.
What customers say about our plumbing work
5.0 on Google from 18 reviews, checked October 2026.
“They had someone out to my house within a couple of hours. The technician was professional, he explained everything clearly, located the gas leak, and repaired it on the spot. He even double check the rest of the line to make sure there wasn't any other leak. I really appreciated how honest and thorough they were.I highly recommend PipeElectric to anyone looking for fast, affortable and caring service!”
“PipeElectric did a great job! Had a issue with some outlets and a small leak under my sink. They showed up on time, real professional and got everything fixed quick. Prices was fair too. Definitely calling them again if I need anything else!”
“Had PipeElectric install a new water heater, and they did a fantastic job! Fast, professional, and no mess left behind. Highly recommend them for any plumbing work!”
Emergency Plumbing questions
What should I do if a plumbing emergency happens when your phones are closed?
Make it safe, then call the right agency. Close the main shut-off valve for water. Leave and call 911 for gas. Use Houston 311 for anything on the City side, and your insurer or a restoration company for wet flooring. Call us when phones reopen at 7 AM on any day except Saturday.
Is an emergency plumber open now?
Check the clock against our hours: Sunday through Thursday until 8 PM, Friday until 6 PM, and closed Saturday. Outside those hours our phones are closed, so use the shut-off steps and agency numbers on this page. Some plumbers do work outside normal hours, and you can ask what that costs.
Should I turn off the gas at the meter?
No. CenterPoint's safety guidance says not to operate the meter or pipeline valves. Leave the building on foot, warn others, and call 911 and the leak hotline from a safe place. Crews clear the site and make the gas safe. Call a plumber for the repair once they have done so.
Does Houston 311 cover Bellaire, Katy or other suburbs?
No, Houston 311 covers City of Houston services. Bellaire, West University Place, Sugar Land, Katy and the many municipal utility districts run their own systems. Look on your water bill for the emergency number, or check the city's or district's website, and keep it in your phone.
Which plumbing problems can safely wait for a scheduled visit?
A dripping faucet, one slow drain, or a running toilet can usually wait, as long as you can stop the flow at a fixture valve and no water reaches floors or walls. Photograph it and watch it. If it spreads, close the main shut-off valve and treat it as urgent.
Water off and phones open? Call and tell us what happened.
- ★ 5.0 on Google, 18 reviews
- Sun–Thu 7 AM–8 PM · Fri 7 AM–6 PM · Sat closed
- Clear, upfront quote
PipeElectric - Plumbing & Electrical - HVAC · Houston, TX · (321) 559-0657