Who do I call for a broken water main in LA?

LADWP handles the public water system, including leaks at the meter and in the street.

Who handles a sewer overflow in the street?

LA Sanitation, through 311. Backups inside your property need a plumber.

What should I check after an earthquake?

Look around the water heater, under sinks and at the main for leaks, and check heater straps. Leave and call the gas company if you smell gas.

Can I get an emergency plumber in Los Angeles now?

Call with your ZIP code to check current availability. Arrival is not guaranteed.

Emergency Plumbing Services in Los Angeles, CA

Burst pipe, sewage backing up, or a water heater leaking in your Los Angeles home? Call +1 (380) 292-6762 with your ZIP code to check whether an independent local contractor is available now.

First steps in an LA home

Shut off the water. Most LA homes have a main valve near the LADWP meter box at the curb or where the line enters the house. Many hillside homes have the meter well downhill from the house.
Stay away from electricity near the water.
For sewage, stop all water use on the property, including any ADU or back unit sharing the line.
For a gas smell, leave and call SoCalGas or 911 from outside.

LA-specific emergencies

Earthquakes. After a noticeable quake, check around the water heater, under sinks and at the main for leaks. California requires water heaters to be strapped, but many older LA installs have weak or missing straps, and a shifted heater can break its gas or water connection.

Winter storms. Heavy rain can overload older clay laterals and cause sewage to back up into low fixtures, especially in flatter neighborhoods. Hillside homes can see soil movement that stresses lines.

Old pipe failures. Galvanized supply lines in pre-war homes in Highland Park, Boyle Heights and West Adams can fail at threaded joints. Rubber supply hoses on washers and toilets in any home can burst with age.

Multi-unit buildings. In Koreatown, Hollywood and other dense areas, a leak in one unit can reach others below. Notify the building manager immediately.

Who to call

LADWP handles leaks at the meter and in the street. LA Sanitation handles public sewer overflows (311). Inside the property, and on the private lateral, which in the City of Los Angeles the owner is generally responsible for up to the public main, call a plumber. The independent contractor confirms availability, any after-hours fee and arrival time.

Emergency Plumbing Services in Los Angeles : What We Handle

✓Burst galvanized pipe in pre-war homes
✓Sewage backups from clay laterals, worse during winter storms
✓Post-earthquake water heater and supply line leaks
✓Leaks spreading between units in apartment buildings
✓Help sorting LADWP, LA Sanitation and private plumbing responsibility

What counts as a plumbing emergency

Some problems can wait for a weekday appointment. Others cause damage every minute they continue. Treat these as urgent:

Water you cannot stop: a burst pipe, a broken supply line under a sink, or a split hose bib spraying against the house
Sewage coming up into a tub, shower or floor drain, or overflowing from a cleanout
A leaking water heater, especially one in a garage or closet next to living space
No water at all in the home with no utility notice
Water near electrical outlets, panels or appliances
A gas smell near a gas water heater or appliance

The first five minutes

Stop the water. Every California home should have a main shut-off, usually near the water meter at the street or where the supply enters the house. For a single fixture, use the small valve behind the toilet or under the sink.
Stay safe around electricity. Do not stand in water near outlets or appliances. Switch off power to the affected area at the panel if it is safe to reach.
For a gas smell, leave first. Get everyone outside, do not operate switches, and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. A plumber is not the first call for a suspected gas leak.
For sewage, stop using water anywhere in the home so more does not back up.
Photograph the damage for your records and any insurance claim.

Emergency Plumbing Services Services We Offer in Los Angeles

✓Active Water Leak Assessment

Describe the visible source and whether an accessible shutoff has stopped the flow.

✓Burst Pipe Repair Enquiry

Ask about access, the damaged section and temporary versus permanent repair options.

✓Drain or Sewer Backup Assessment

Say whether one fixture or several are affected.

✓Urgent Water Heater Enquiry

Mention a leaking unit, loss of hot water and the heater type.

How It Works in Los Angeles

1
Describe the issue
Give the city, ZIP code, symptoms and safe access details.
2
Check contractor availability
Confirm whether an independent contractor handles your location and this type of job.
3
Agree on the assessment
Ask about the visit fee, inspection method and expected arrival window.
4
Review the proposal
Confirm the findings, repair options, total scope and terms before authorising work.

Emergency Plumbing Services Pricing in Los Angeles

Independent contractors set their own prices. Request the visit or diagnostic fee and proposed repair scope before booking. This site does not quote a fixed statewide price.

Want the full picture of this service? See our Emergency Plumbing Services page, or everything we do in Los Angeles, CA.