Burst pipe at 2 a.m.? Do this first, then call a plumber

Step 1: Shut off the main valve — fast

Every Texas home has a main shut-off valve. In most slab-built homes you'll find it:

• Inside the front foundation wall (look in a hall closet or laundry room)
• In the garage near the water heater
• Outside on an exterior wall close to the front of the house
• At the curb meter in a green or black box (you'll need a meter key — a $10 tool every Texas homeowner should have)

Turn it clockwise until it stops. If it won't budge, don't force it — old gate valves snap, and a snapped main is worse than the burst pipe. Go to the curb meter instead.

Step 2: Kill the water heater

With water off, an electric water heater can burn out its element if the tank drains. Trip the breaker labeled "water heater" in your panel. For a gas heater, turn the gas knob to PILOT. This protects a $1,500 appliance for the cost of 30 seconds.

Step 3: Drain the lines

Open the lowest cold and hot faucets in the house — usually a tub spout or an outdoor hose bib. Water in the lines drains down through those instead of continuing to pour out of the burst point. Open one high faucet too, so air can enter and break the siphon.

Step 4: The valve most homeowners don't know they have

Your pressure-reducing valve (PRV) sits on the supply line just inside the house. In Texas, where municipal pressure can push 90+ PSI in some areas, the PRV holds your home to a safer 60–70. When pipes burst, the PRV is sometimes the cause: a failed PRV pushes full street pressure through fittings designed for 80, and the weakest joint pops.

Test it next time a plumber is on site. Replacement is around $250–$500 and is one of the cheapest insurance policies you can buy on a slab home.

Step 5: Document before you clean up

If the damage is anywhere near a few thousand dollars, you're going to file an insurance claim. Texas homeowner policies generally cover sudden pipe bursts, but they require evidence. Before you mop, take:

• Wide photos of every affected room
• Close-ups of the burst pipe and any soaked drywall or flooring
• Video walking through the damage (30 seconds is plenty)
• Photos of any damaged personal property — labels and serial numbers if visible

What an emergency plumber actually charges in Texas

Pricing varies by metro and time of day, but typical 2026 ranges:

• Standard service call (business hours): $85–$150 just to show up
• After-hours / overnight call-out: $200–$400
• Single pipe repair (visible, accessible): $250–$650
• Slab leak detection: $400–$900
• Slab leak repair (reroute through attic): $1,800–$5,500
• Whole-house repipe (PEX, 2,000 sq ft): $7,000–$18,000

How to make sure the plumber is licensed in Texas

Texas plumbers are licensed by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, and tradesman plumbers all have license numbers you can look up at tsbpe.texas.gov. If a tech can't provide one before the truck rolls, call someone else.

Prevent the next one (a 30-minute Saturday job)

• Wrap exposed exterior pipes with foam insulation. The Texas freeze of February 2021 burst tens of thousands of pipes that simple foam would have saved.
• Install hose bib covers on all exterior spigots before December.
• Put a freeze-alarm on a smart thermostat — get a phone alert if interior temps drop below 45°F (during a power outage).
• Drip taps on both ends of the house when temps go below 25°F overnight.

FAQ

Is a burst pipe covered by Texas homeowner insurance?

A sudden, accidental burst usually is. Damage from gradual leaks — where the homeowner should have noticed and didn't — usually isn't.

Should I shut the water off if I just see a small leak?

For an active drip on a fitting, yes — at least at the local stop valve under the sink or behind the toilet. For a wall or ceiling leak with no visible source, shut off the main and call.

How long does an emergency plumber take to arrive in Houston / Dallas / Austin?

During business hours, 30–90 minutes is normal in major metros. Overnight in winter (after a freeze), wait times can stretch to 6–12 hours because every plumber in the city is dispatched.