Emergency Plumber: $100 to $500 Hourly, Do This First (2026)

Do this now: before the emergency plumber arrives

1. Smell gas? Leave now. Peoples Gas says to leave immediately and not try to find or stop the leak. Get everyone out, call 911, then call the gas utility from outside.
2. Shut off the main water valve. The City of Phoenix says most are at the front of the house near a hose bib; in Denver, the utility says it is usually in the basement or crawl space, on the wall facing the street. Do not shut water off at the meter. For one fixture, close the valve under the sink or behind the toilet.
3. Keep away from water near electricity. The Red Cross says not to touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water.
4. Turn off the water heater if it is flooded or damaged. Rheem's electric heater manual says to turn off power and water to a heater that has been flooded, and not to run one unless it is full of water.
5. Open a faucet. Phoenix says to leave faucets open after a broken pipe until the repair is done, which drains what is left in the lines.
6. Take photos before you clean up. FEMA says to photograph damage before cleanup and report it to your insurer as soon as possible.

How much does an emergency plumber cost

An emergency plumber costs $170 an hour on average in Angi's September 2026 data, with most charging $100 to $500 an hour and up to $600 on holidays. Angi says emergency plumbers charge 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate, and many add a flat $150 to $300 emergency or trip fee. HomeGuide's December 2025 guide puts the overall range at $100 to $350 an hour.

Labor rates. Parts, permits and any water cleanup are extra.

Emergency plumbing repair prices

Total job prices for common emergencies.

For comparison, a regular daytime visit costs $45 to $200 an hour in HomeAdvisor's figures; the plumber cost per hour page has the full table. A burst pipe repair or a sewer line repair often starts as an emergency call and finishes as a scheduled job.

What counts as a plumbing emergency

A plumbing emergency is anything that needs immediate attention to prevent property damage or a health hazard, in HomeGuide's definition. The common ones on Angi's and HomeGuide's lists:

• Burst or leaking pipes and a break in the main water line.
• Sewage backups, including sewage coming up through floor drains or tubs. See sewage cleanup if it has reached the floor.
• Gas leaks. Leave first. Angi tells readers not to try turning off the gas supply themselves. See gas line repair.
• A water heater flooding the area, or no hot water in winter. See water heater repair.
• A fully clogged toilet, especially in a house with one bathroom. Drain cleaning lists normal-hours prices.
• Frozen pipes at risk of bursting, and sudden water hammer.

HomeGuide warns that waiting can mean more damage and higher repair costs. If the water is off, nothing is backing up and you have a working toilet, a daytime appointment usually costs less.

Frozen and burst pipes: what to do first

A frozen pipe can split when it thaws, so shut off the water or test the shutoff valve before thawing, Denver Water says. Its advice: go slowly, since "Pipes warmed too fast may break"; a hair dryer is appropriate and a blow torch is not. Phoenix says to leave a frozen faucet open and call a plumber if no water comes out. To prevent a repeat, Denver Water suggests insulating pipes along exterior walls and in unheated basements, opening sink cabinet doors, and keeping the thermostat above 65 degrees when you are away for several days.

Emergency plumber cost in our cities

Angi, Sept 2026. Angi did not list Houston, San Antonio, Miami, Tampa or San Diego.

Local pages such as plumber in Phoenix and plumber in Houston cover each city; the plumber hub links all ten.

Water damage and insurance after a plumbing emergency

Most homeowner policies cover sudden and accidental water damage such as a burst pipe or a toilet overflow, the Texas Department of Insurance says, but most do not cover gradual leaks, seepage or mold. Photograph the damage first, call your insurer, and keep every receipt. Do not sign an assignment of benefits or any contract that hands your claim to a contractor; Florida bans assignment of benefits on policies issued on or after January 1, 2023. If floors or walls are soaked, water damage restoration covers drying and cleanup.

Emergency plumbing near me: what to ask on the phone

• What is the emergency or trip fee, and the hourly rate right now? Angi lists flat emergency fees of $150 to $300.
• When can someone arrive? Companies that take emergency calls set their own hours; ask for a time.
• Does the fee count toward the repair?
• What is your license number? Check it with your state; plumbers lists the agencies.
• Is this a temporary fix tonight and a full repair later? Ask for both prices.

More prices: home repair costs. Calls go to an independent company that serves your area and takes this kind of job. How calls work.