A plumbing emergency doesn’t give you warning. One minute everything is fine, and the next you’ve got water pouring across your kitchen floor or a smell coming up from the drain that tells you something is very wrong. If you’re in Fort Worth, Arlington, or anywhere in DFW, knowing what to do in the first few minutes before the plumber arrives can mean the difference between a manageable repair and a full-blown disaster.
At Ernie’s Plumbing, we respond to emergencies across Fort Worth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. But while you’re waiting on us, here’s exactly what you should do.
First — Shut Off the Water
This is always step one, no exceptions. The longer water runs unchecked, the more damage it causes — to flooring, drywall, cabinets, and the structure of your home.
For a localized problem (a toilet overflowing, a leaking supply line under the sink), look for the shutoff valve right at the fixture. It’s usually a small oval knob behind the toilet or under the sink. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
For a major leak or burst pipe, go straight to your main shutoff valve. In most Fort Worth homes, this is located near the water meter — often in the front yard, near the curb, or sometimes in a utility closet. Newer homes may have a ball valve inside the garage or near the perimeter of the foundation. Turn it off completely.
If you don’t know where your main shutoff is, find it right now — before you ever need it. Walk the perimeter of your home and check the utility areas. It’s one of the most important things a homeowner can know.
Once the water is off, open the lowest faucet in the house (usually a hose bib outside or a laundry room faucet) to drain any water remaining in the pipes. This relieves pressure and reduces leakage from the broken section.
Common Emergencies in Fort Worth Homes
Fort Worth’s climate — hot summers, occasional hard freezes, and expansive clay soil — creates specific plumbing vulnerabilities you won’t find everywhere. Here are the three most common emergencies we handle across Fort Worth, Arlington, and the wider DFW area.
Burst Pipes
Most people associate burst pipes with cold climates, but it happens here too. DFW gets winter freezes — sometimes severe ones — and pipes that run in attics, exterior walls, or garages are especially vulnerable. When temperatures drop below freezing and pipes aren’t insulated, water expands as it freezes and can split a pipe wide open.
If you come home to a burst pipe: shut off the main water immediately, move valuables away from standing water, and call a licensed Fort Worth plumber right away. Don’t try to thaw a frozen pipe with an open flame — that’s a fire hazard and it can cause the pipe to crack further.
Document the damage with photos before you clean anything up. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover sudden and accidental water damage, and photos help your claim.
Sewage Backup
Sewage backing up into your tubs, toilets, or floor drains is one of the most unpleasant plumbing emergencies — and one of the most serious. When sewage can’t drain forward through the main line, it has nowhere to go but back up into your home.
Common causes in Fort Worth include tree root intrusion (the area has mature trees and aggressive root systems), grease buildup in older sewer lines, and damaged or collapsed pipes.
Do not use any plumbing fixtures when you suspect a sewer backup. Every flush, every faucet drains into the same main line. Continuing to use the system makes things worse. Keep pets and children away from the affected area — raw sewage carries serious health risks. Call a plumber immediately; this is not a wait-and-see situation.
Gas Line Leak
A gas leak is the only plumbing emergency where you should leave the house first and call from outside. If you smell rotten eggs (the odor added to natural gas), hear a hissing sound near a gas line, or see dead vegetation in a straight line across your yard, treat it as a gas leak until proven otherwise.
Do not flip light switches, use your phone inside the house, or start a car in the attached garage. Any spark can ignite gas that has accumulated. Get everyone out, leave the door open, and once you’re clear of the building call 911 and then your gas utility (Atmos Energy in most of Fort Worth). Only after the gas company has cleared the area should you call a plumber to inspect and repair the line.
What to Tell Your Plumber
When you call Ernie’s Plumbing — or any 24-hour plumber in Fort Worth — give us as much information upfront as you can. This helps us arrive with the right parts and equipment, and it means we can get you back to normal faster.
- What you see: Active leak, water on floor, sewage smell, no water pressure, toilet overflowing?
- Where it’s happening: Which room, which fixture, which part of the house?
- What you’ve already done: Did you shut off the water? Which valve?
- How long it’s been going on: Did it start suddenly or has it been gradual?
- Your home’s age and type: Older Fort Worth homes (pre-1980s) often have cast iron or galvanized steel pipes, which affects how we approach the repair.
- Any recent work done: Did a contractor work on anything nearby recently?
The more detail you give us, the better we can serve you. We’ll ask a few quick questions when you call, but having answers ready speeds things up.
Once we arrive, stay out of the affected area unless we ask you to help. Let us assess the situation first — sometimes what looks like one problem is a symptom of something else going on in the line.
After the emergency is under control, we’ll walk you through what happened, what we fixed, and what (if anything) you should watch for going forward. We believe in keeping Fort Worth homeowners informed, not just handing you a bill.
If you have a home warranty or homeowner’s insurance, ask us for documentation of the repair — we’re happy to provide that.
FAQ
Q: How quickly can Ernie’s Plumbing respond to an emergency in Fort Worth?
A: We aim to respond within 60-90 minutes for most Fort Worth and Arlington locations. We’re local — we’re not dispatching from across the Metroplex — so we can usually get to you faster than a larger regional company. When you call, we’ll give you an honest ETA.
Q: Is it safe to stay in my home after a burst pipe?
A: It depends on the extent of the damage. If water has reached electrical panels, outlets, or your HVAC system, you should not stay until those systems are inspected and cleared. If the damage is contained to a specific area, it may be fine — but get a plumber and potentially a restoration company on-site quickly to prevent mold growth, which can start within 24-48 hours in Fort Worth’s humidity.
Q: Will my homeowner’s insurance cover a plumbing emergency?
A: Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe or similar event. They typically do not cover damage from slow leaks or deferred maintenance. Document everything with photos before cleanup, save your repair invoices, and call your insurance company as soon as possible. Ernie’s can provide documentation to support your claim.
Q: What should I do if I can’t find my main water shutoff?
A: In Fort Worth, the main shutoff is often near the water meter, which is usually in the front yard near the street. If you absolutely cannot find it, call the Fort Worth Water Department — they can shut off service at the meter from the street. Then make a point to locate your shutoff before the next emergency. Ask your plumber to show you where it is next time we’re at your home.
Don’t wait out a plumbing emergency. Ernie’s Plumbing is available 24/7 for emergency plumbing service across Fort Worth, Arlington, and the DFW area. Learn more about our emergency plumbing services or contact us now — we’ll be there fast.
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