If you need an emergency plumber in Detroit because a pipe burst, a leak won't stop, or sewage is coming up into the basement, call (313) 474-7729 now. We handle emergency leak and pipe repair. We answer 8 AM to 10:30 PM, every day, and we'll give you a straight answer on when we can be there.
First five minutes: what to do
- Shut off the water. Most Detroit houses have a main shutoff valve where the water service enters the basement, usually on the front wall near the meter. Turn it clockwise. If it won't move, don't force it until it breaks; call.
- Kill power to wet areas if water is near outlets, a furnace or a water heater, and only if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Open a faucet on the lowest floor to drain pressure out of the lines.
- Move valuables and take photos for insurance.
- Call. Have your address and a quick description ready.
Frozen and burst pipes in Detroit
Detroit winters freeze pipes. NOAA daily records for Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) show an average of 111 days a winter with a low at or below 32°F over the 10 winters from 2015-2025, and 30 days where the temperature never climbed above freezing. In 9 of those 10 winters, the low hit 0°F or colder at least once; the coldest reading was -14.0°F in the winter of 2018–19. Those sub-zero stretches are when calls spike.
Older Detroit houses are especially exposed. With 36% of homes built before 1940 and many more from the 1940s and 1950s (ACS), it's common to find supply lines running along uninsulated exterior walls, in crawlspaces under additions, or near basement windows. Vacant or partly heated houses are at the highest risk.
Signs a pipe is frozen
- A faucet gives a trickle or nothing on a very cold morning, while others work.
- Frost on an exposed pipe, or a bulge or split in it.
- A toilet that won't refill.
The National Weather Service's guidance is to open the faucet and thaw the line with gentle heat, like a hair dryer or warm towels, never an open flame. If the pipe has split, it will leak when it thaws, so know where your shutoff is before you start. Our frozen pipes guide covers prevention.
Emergency plumber in Detroit: what counts as an emergency
| Situation | Why it's urgent |
|---|---|
| Burst or split pipe | Can release a lot of water quickly; shut off the main first |
| Leak you can't isolate | Ongoing damage to floors, ceilings and wiring |
| Sewage backing up | Health hazard; stop using water until cleared |
| Water heater leaking heavily or relief valve discharging | Water damage and possible temperature or pressure problem |
| No water at all in winter | Possible frozen service or main line |
| Gas smell near a water heater | Leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 first; a plumber comes after |
Leak repair in Detroit homes
Most leaks in older Detroit houses come from galvanized steel supply pipe that has corroded from the inside, pinholes in old copper, failed fittings under sinks, toilet supply lines, and water heater connections. We can usually make an emergency repair to stop the leak, then price replacing the damaged run. Emergency repairs on a water service line are one of the few cases where Michigan's lead and copper rule permits a partial replacement of a lead line; if your service is lead, ask about DWSD's lead service line replacement program.
Who to call besides a plumber
- Water main break in the street or water coming up from the ground at the curb: that's usually the public system. In Detroit, report it to DWSD using the contact on the city's water and sewer emergencies page.
- Gas smell: leave and call your gas utility or 911.
- Basement flooding from a storm: see the basement flooding guide.
Emergency calls in the suburbs
We take urgent calls in Detroit and nearby cities such as Redford, Lincoln Park, Eastpointe and Hazel Park.
Pricing
We don't publish prices, and emergency work varies more than most. The first job is to stop the damage; our plumber prices the lasting repair once the cause is found. Call (313) 474-7729 to talk it through.
Know where your shutoffs are before you need them
The most useful thing you can do before a plumbing emergency is find your main water shutoff. In most Detroit houses, it's in the basement on the wall facing the street, where the water service enters through the foundation, usually just before or after the water meter. Older gate valves can seize after decades without use. If yours won't turn by hand, don't force it with a wrench; have us replace it before an emergency, not during one.
Also find the individual shutoffs under sinks and behind toilets, and the cold-water valve on top of the water heater. Turning off one fixture is often enough to stop a leak without shutting down the whole house.
What counts as an emergency, and what can wait
| Situation | Usually urgent? | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Burst or split pipe spraying water | Yes | Close the main shutoff; turn off power to wet areas if safe |
| Sewage coming up a floor drain | Yes | Stop using water in the house; keep people and pets away |
| Water heater leaking from the tank | Yes, if it's a lot of water | Close the cold supply to the tank; turn off gas or power |
| No water at all | Depends | Check whether neighbors are affected; it may be a utility issue |
| One slow drain | Usually not | Stop using that fixture and call during regular hours |
| Dripping faucet | No | Schedule a repair |
If water is coming from the street, the curb box, or a city main, that's a utility matter: Detroit residents can report it to DWSD. For a problem inside your home or on your private lines, call us at (313) 474-7729 and we'll tell you straight how quickly we can get there.
Frequently asked questions
What are your hours for emergencies?
We answer 8 AM to 10:30 PM, every day. Call (313) 474-7729 and we'll tell you when we can be there.
Where is the main water shutoff in a Detroit house?
Usually in the basement where the water service enters, on the street-facing wall near the meter. Turn it clockwise to close.
How cold does it get in Detroit?
NOAA records for Detroit Metro Airport show an average of 111 freezing nights a winter (2015-2025), and a low of -14.0°F in the winter of 2018–19.
Can I thaw a frozen pipe myself?
The National Weather Service suggests opening the faucet and using gentle heat like a hair dryer or warm towels. Never use an open flame, and be ready to shut off the water if it's split.
Who do I call for a water main break in the street?
In Detroit, report it to DWSD using the contact on the city's water and sewer emergencies page. In the suburbs, call your city's water department.
Do emergency repairs need a permit?
Stopping a leak or clearing a stoppage doesn't alter the system. Replacing pipe does, and the permit can follow emergency work; our plumber will explain what applies.