How do I shut off water to my whole house in an emergency?

Find your main shutoff valve — it's typically near where the water supply line enters the house, often in a utility room, garage, or near the water heater. If it's a lever-style ball valve, turn the lever a quarter-turn so it sits across (perpendicular to) the pipe. If it's an older round wheel-style gate valve, turn it clockwise through several full rotations until it stops. This cuts water to the entire home.

Is a sewage smell always an emergency?

A faint, occasional sewer smell can sometimes come from a dried-out P-trap — running water in a rarely used drain often clears it. But if the smell is strong, persistent, or accompanied by slow drains or sewage backing up into fixtures, that points to a blockage or venting problem that needs professional attention promptly. When in doubt, call and describe what you're experiencing.

Can a running toilet wait until morning?

In most cases, yes. A running toilet is wasting water but isn't creating a flooding risk. If the sound or the water waste bothers you, turn off the toilet's individual shutoff valve on the wall behind the base to stop the flow, then schedule a repair in the morning.

What should I do while waiting for an emergency plumber to arrive?

Close the relevant shutoff valve to stop water flow, move rugs, furniture, and valuables away from wet areas, and take clear photos or video of the damage for your insurance records. Don't run any water in the house if you're dealing with a sewage backup, and keep the affected area ventilated if possible.

Does emergency plumbing service cost more than a regular appointment?

Yes, after-hours and emergency calls typically carry a higher rate than standard daytime appointments. However, on serious issues like burst pipes or sewage backups, the cost of the emergency call is almost always less than the water or contamination damage that can accumulate overnight. A reputable plumber will discuss pricing with you before starting any work.

Emergency Plumber vs. Waiting Until Morning: How to Decide

That sinking feeling at 11 p.m.

Something's gone wrong with your plumbing, and you're staring at the clock wondering: Do I call someone right now, or can this wait until morning? It's a genuinely hard call — after-hours service costs more, but some problems get dramatically worse with every hour you wait. Here's a clear, honest guide to help you decide.

Problems that cannot wait: call an emergency plumber now

These situations cause serious damage, create health hazards, or leave your home unlivable if left unaddressed overnight.

Burst or actively leaking pipe

A burst pipe can release a significant amount of water in a very short time — soaking walls, flooring, insulation, and framing. The moment you suspect a burst pipe, close the main shutoff valve to stop the flow (a lever-style ball valve closes with a quarter-turn so the handle sits across the pipe; an older wheel-style gate valve closes by turning clockwise through several full rotations until it stops). Then call for emergency help. Water damage that starts tonight becomes mold damage within a day or two.

Sewage backup

If sewage is coming up through a floor drain, tub, or toilet — especially in more than one fixture — that's a main-line blockage and a serious health hazard. Raw sewage contains pathogens that contaminate surfaces and air. Don't run any water in the house, and call immediately.

No water at all

If your neighbors still have water and your home has none, the problem is likely somewhere on your side of the meter. A household without running water can't flush toilets, cook safely, or meet basic sanitation needs. This is an emergency, especially if children, elderly family members, or anyone with medical needs is in the home.

A gas smell

If you smell gas — that distinctive rotten-egg odor — do not flip any light switches, use your phone inside, or create any spark or flame. Get everyone out of the house immediately, leave the door open as you go, and once you're safely outside call your gas utility's emergency line and 911. This is a life-safety emergency. A licensed professional must clear and inspect the line before anyone returns.

Active flooding or water you can't stop

If water is actively rising and you can't isolate it by closing a shutoff valve, that's an emergency. Shut the main supply if you can reach it safely, then call for help right away.

Problems that can usually wait until morning

Not everything that goes wrong at night demands an after-hours call. These issues are inconvenient but typically stable — meaning they won't get dramatically worse in the next eight hours.

A single slow drain. A bathroom sink draining slowly is a partial clog. It's annoying, but it's not an emergency. Use the other sink tonight and schedule a drain cleaning in the morning.
A dripping faucet. A steady drip wastes water over time, but a few hours won't cause structural damage. Note it, put a towel or small bucket down if needed, and book a repair tomorrow.
A running toilet. A toilet that won't stop running is wasting water, but it's not flooding your home. Turn off the toilet's individual shutoff valve (located on the wall behind the base) if the sound bothers you, and call in the morning.
Low water pressure in one fixture. Isolated low pressure — just one faucet or showerhead — is usually a clogged aerator or a fixture-level issue. Not urgent.

The real cost of waiting on an urgent problem

It's tempting to think you'll save money by waiting for regular business hours. On the truly urgent problems above, the opposite is almost always true. Water damage spreads fast — into subfloors, wall cavities, and insulation — turning a plumbing repair into a much larger restoration project. Sewage exposure creates health risks that require professional remediation. The after-hours service call is nearly always less expensive than the damage that accumulates overnight.

How after-hours emergency plumbing service works

When you call an emergency plumber, a dispatcher typically takes your information and routes a plumber to your home. Before they arrive, your job is to limit the damage: close the relevant shutoff valve, move valuables away from standing water, and take photos of any visible damage for your insurance records. The plumber will diagnose the problem on site, make the immediate repair or stabilize the situation, and advise you on any follow-up work needed.

Emergency service does typically carry a higher rate than a standard daytime appointment — that's simply the reality of after-hours work. A reputable plumber will be upfront about pricing before work begins.

When in doubt, call and describe what you're seeing

If you're genuinely unsure whether your situation qualifies as an emergency, call a plumber and describe what's happening. A good plumber will give you an honest answer — even if that answer is "this can wait until morning." You're not obligated to book a call just because you phoned.

If you're in Austin and facing a plumbing problem tonight — or want to schedule a non-urgent repair — Northside Plumbing Co. is here to help. Give us a call and we'll help you figure out exactly what you're dealing with and what it takes to fix it right.