Emergency Plumbing Service in Austin, TX
Got a plumbing emergency? Shut off your main water valve first. It's usually near the street or where the main line enters your home. That one step stops the flooding while help is on the way.
Then call Efficient. We keep licensed plumbers on call 24 hours a day across Austin and the surrounding metro. You'll reach a live team, and a plumber will call you right back to size up the problem and tell you what to do next. We work out of North Austin, near Highway 183, so we know the area and move fast.
Common Plumbing Emergencies and What to Do
Call us right away for:
- Burst or leaking pipes
- Sewage backing up into the house
- A leaking water heater
- Overflowing or clogged toilets
- No water, or no hot water
- The smell of gas
- A leak you can't shut off
Here are the emergencies we get called for most, with quick steps to limit the damage until we arrive.
Main Line Drain Stoppages
This is the most frequent emergency plumbing call, and for good reason. A main line drain stoppage needs attention right away. Sewage backup can create real health hazards and property damage. Sometimes you can relieve the backup by opening the outside cleanout, if it's accessible. That lets sewage overflow into the yard instead of the house. If you stop using every drain, you may be able to wait for regular service hours.
Burst Pipes and Interior Water Line Leaks
A burst or leaking water line only gets worse the longer it runs, and it can cause serious damage fast. Shut off the water at the main valve to stop the flow. Then open a cold faucet to drain the line and ease the pressure. Contact us for emergency service and we'll walk you through it before we arrive.
Water Heater Leaks
A leaking water heater often causes property damage, especially when it sits in the attic. You can usually shut off the water at the heater or the meter and cut power to the unit. We can walk you through it over the phone before we get there.
Yard Service Leaks
A yard leak needs urgent service when it drops your water pressure or wastes large amounts of water. Small leaks add up fast. The EPA estimates household leaks waste about 10,000 gallons a year in the average home. Until we arrive, shut off the water. Call us and we'll show you how.
Gas Line Leaks
A gas leak is a life safety emergency. If you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, leave the house right away. Don't flip switches or light anything. Call 911 or your gas utility from outside. Once it's safe, call us to repair the line.
What Our Customers Say
Our Emergency Plumbing Process
- Phone triage. You reach a live team, and a licensed plumber calls back fast to tell you how to limit the damage right now.
- On-site diagnosis. We find the source of the problem, not just the symptoms.
- The fix. We explain what we recommend, answer your questions, and make the repair once you approve it.
- Cleanup. We leave the space clean and check that everything works before we go.
Emergency Plumbing Rates
After-hours and weekend calls usually cost more than standard daytime service, since a plumber comes out right away. You'll always get an upfront, itemized quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises, and we offer financing on larger repairs. The final price depends on the problem and the parts involved. Some typical after-hours call costs are:
| Service | Typical after-hours cost |
| Service call (diagnosis) | $199 plus repair; repair rates are the same as regular hours |
| Clear a basic drain (main sewer) | $550 |
| Clear a basic drain (lavatory sink) | $470 to $550 |
| Shut off water and correct a simple leak | $350 to $400 |
| Fix a more difficult leak (typical) | $550 to $600 and up |
All prices above include the after-hours fee.
What the $199 Covers
Our repair rates stay the same at 2am as they do at 2pm. The $199 service call covers the plumber's overtime, not a markup on your repair.
That fee pays for something real. We pay our on-call plumber from the moment he leaves his house until he gets back, and we pay four hours of straight time every week for being on call, whether we run a single call or none at all.
During regular business hours, we waive the service call fee when you move forward with the repair.
How to Turn Off Your Water for Repairs, Maintenance, or Emergencies
What's in this video:
We show you how to find and shut off your home's main water supply, the first thing to do when a pipe bursts. The video covers interior shut-off valves in crawlspaces and utility closets, plus the street-side valve at the water meter box.
Why Homeowners Call Efficient First
When you invite someone into your home during a stressful moment, trust matters. Thousands of Austin homeowners, from North Austin to Cedar Park and Pflugerville, count on us to:
- Send a licensed plumber who has passed background and drug screening
- Make honest recommendations with your best interest in mind, not ours
- Give you an upfront quote before work starts, with no hidden fees
- Charge the same repair rates after hours as during the week
- Back the work with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor
- Offer financing on larger repairs
- Cover plumbing, AC and electrical with one team, so a bigger problem never means calling a second company
Emergency Plumbing FAQs
After-hours and weekend calls add a $199 service fee, since a plumber comes out right away. You'll always get an upfront, itemized quote before work starts, and we offer financing on larger repairs. For typical price ranges on common emergency calls, see the pricing table above.
A plumbing emergency is any problem that threatens your home, health or safety, such as active flooding, a sewage backup, a gas leak or a total loss of water. Burst pipes, an overflowing toilet or a leak you can't stop all count. When in doubt, shut off your main water valve and call us, and we'll help you decide if it can wait.
Explore Other Plumbing Services
- Drain Cleaning clears stubborn clogs and recurring backups before they turn into a midnight call.
- Water Heater Installation & Repair handles a leaking or failed tank, including the attic units that do the most damage.
- Gas Line & Leak Troubleshooting & Repair repairs the line once the leak has been made safe.
- Faucet Installation & Repair fixes the drips and failing supply lines that flood a room overnight.
- Water Filter & Water Softener Installation & Repair eases the mineral buildup that shortens water heater life.
- Tankless Water Heater Installation is worth weighing when a failed tank needs replacing anyway.
- Plumbing Services shows our full range of residential and commercial plumbing.
Serving Greater Austin & Central Texas
We serve homeowners and businesses across Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Bell, Llano and Comal counties in the Greater Austin area, including Allandale, Barton Creek, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Brushy Creek, Buda, Canyon Lake, Cat Hollow, Cedar Creek, Cedar Park, Clarksville, Del Valle, Downtown Austin, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Georgetown, Granger, Great Hills, Horseshoe Bay, Hudson Bend, Hutto, Hyde Park, Jarrell, Jollyville, Jonestown, Killeen, Kingsland, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lost Creek, Manor, Mueller, New Braunfels, North Austin, Oak Hill, Pemberton, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, Round Rock, San Marcos, South Congress, Spanish Oaks, Spicewood, Steiner Ranch, Sun City, Tarrytown, Taylor, Temple, Travis Country, Travis Heights, Wells Branch and West Lake Hills.