In a plumbing emergency: shut off the water, kill the water heater, open low faucets to drain pressure, move what water ruins, and call a 24/7 plumber. That order matters — and step one only takes seconds if you already know where the valve is. Here's each step in detail.
Step 1 — Shut off the water
For a fixture leak (toilet, sink, washing machine): use the small oval stop valve on the supply line behind or below the fixture. Clockwise closes it.
For anything bigger — a burst pipe, spraying line, or unknown source — go straight to the main shut-off. In most Houston homes that's at the meter box near the street, at an exterior wall valve near the front hose bib, or in the garage. Turn it clockwise until it stops. Do this walk-through today: finding your valve calmly on a Tuesday beats finding it barefoot in rising water.
Step 2 — Turn off the water heater
With the main closed, the tank stops refilling — and a heating element firing in an emptying tank destroys itself. Flip the breaker (electric) or set the gas control to OFF. If the water heater is the thing leaking, also close the cold supply valve on top of the unit. Attic water heaters deserve extra urgency: every minute is ceiling drywall.
Step 3 — Drain the pressure
Open the lowest faucet in the house (and an outdoor hose bib) to let the remaining water in the lines run out somewhere harmless instead of through the break.
Step 4 — Protect what water ruins
- Move rugs, electronics, documents, and furniture legs out of the wet zone.
- Towels and a wet/dry vac beat waiting — mold timelines start at about 24–48 hours.
- Photograph everything before and during cleanup. Your insurance adjuster will thank you, and so will your claim.
- If water is near outlets or the panel, stay clear and kill power to that circuit first.
Step 5 — Make the call
With the water stopped, you've turned a disaster into a controlled problem. Now call. Texas Quality Plumbing answers 24/7 across Greater Houston — a real person, not a machine — and emergency work gets the same upfront written pricing as any other job. If it's genuinely urgent, call rather than book online; if it can wait for morning, booking online works great.
Is it actually an emergency?
| Call right now | Can wait for morning |
|---|---|
| Burst or spraying pipe you can't isolate | One slow drain |
| Sewage backing up into tubs/showers | Dripping faucet |
| Leaking water heater — especially in an attic | Running toilet (close its stop valve) |
| Gas smell near a gas water heater — leave, then call | Low pressure at one fixture |
| No water to the entire house | Noisy pipes |
Prevent the next one
Most "sudden" emergencies had a warning phase — a corroded valve, a rusting tank, a slow drip. The annual multi-point inspection in our VIP Home Protection Plan (a $350 value, with guaranteed 24-hour appointments and 15% off all work) exists to catch that phase. And if tonight's emergency has a repair bill attached, GoodLeap financing means fixing it right doesn't have to wait for payday.
Quick answers from the crew
Where is my home's main water shut-off valve?
In most Houston-area homes it's one of three places: at the water meter box near the street (needs a meter key or pliers), on an exterior wall near the hose bib closest to the street, or in the garage where the line enters. Find it today, before you need it — turning it clockwise closes it.
What counts as a real plumbing emergency?
Anything actively putting water or sewage where it shouldn't be: a burst or spraying pipe, sewage backing up into tubs or showers, a leaking water heater (especially in an attic), a gas smell near a gas water heater, or no water to the whole house. Those justify a middle-of-the-night call. A single slow drain or a dripping faucet can wait for morning.
Should I turn off my water heater during a leak?
If the water heater itself is leaking, yes: close its cold-water supply valve, and cut power (breaker for electric) or set the gas control to OFF/pilot. If you had to shut off the whole house main for another leak, also turn the water heater off so an emptying tank doesn't damage its elements or burner.
Does Texas Quality Plumbing really answer at 2 a.m.?
Yes — we run 24/7 emergency service across Greater Houston, and a real person answers the phone. Call (346) 636-2418 any hour; upfront pricing applies to emergency work too.