Emergency Plumber in McLean, VA
Burst pipe, water through the ceiling or sewage backing up? Call us any hour. We help you stop the water by phone, then come fix the cause.
- Answered 24/7, holidays too
- Burst & frozen pipes
- Sewer backups & no water
A plumbing emergency is about speed. Every minute water runs, it soaks further into drywall, floors and insulation. The first job is to stop the water. The second is to find and fix the cause so it does not happen again. We help with both. Most emergencies start with a leak, so our leak detection tools come on every call. If cold weather is coming, read our guide on how to prevent frozen pipes before you need us.
Emergencies we handle
- Burst and split pipes, including frozen pipes after a cold snap.
- Water coming through a ceiling, wall or light fixture.
- Sewage or dirty water backing up into floor drains, tubs or toilets.
- Leaking or failed water heaters.
- No water in the house, or no hot water.
- Failed sump pumps with water rising in the basement.
- Broken main water lines and shutoff valves that will not close.
- Overflowing toilets that will not stop.
What to do in the first five minutes
- Shut off the water. Close the main shutoff valve. For one fixture, close the small valve under the sink or behind the toilet.
- Make it safe. If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, keep away and switch off power at the breaker only if you can do so from a dry spot.
- Drain the pressure. Open a cold faucet on the lowest floor to empty the lines.
- Protect what you can. Move rugs, electronics and papers. Put buckets and towels down.
- Take photos. Pictures of the damage help with any insurance claim.
- Call us. We will walk you through anything you are unsure about.
If you smell gas, do not stay to do any of this. Leave first, then call 911 and Washington Gas from outside.
Emergency or can it wait?
| Problem | Call now? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Burst pipe or water you cannot stop | Yes | Damage grows by the minute |
| Sewage backing up | Yes | Health risk and fast damage |
| Water heater leaking from the tank | Yes | Tank failure can flood a basement |
| No water at all | Yes | Could be a main line break or frozen pipe |
| Sump pump failed during rain | Yes | Basement flooding risk |
| Toilet running constantly | Usually can wait | Wastes water but no damage |
| One slow drain | Usually can wait | Schedule drain cleaning |
| Small drip under a sink with valve closed | Can wait | Contained once the valve is off |
How an emergency call works
- You call, we answer. We ask what is happening and help you stop the water by phone.
- We come out. We bring leak location, drain and pipe repair equipment.
- We stop the immediate problem. That may mean capping a line, replacing a burst section or clearing a backed-up drain.
- We find the root cause. A frozen pipe on an outside wall, a corroded fitting or roots in the sewer line.
- We explain the permanent fix. Sometimes it is done on the spot. Larger work, such as a reroute or water heater replacement, may be scheduled.
Frozen and burst pipes in Northern Virginia
McLean gets hard freezes most winters. Pipes along exterior walls, in crawl spaces, garages and unheated rooms, and hose bibs are the most likely to freeze. Red Cross guidance cited by CBS News says to keep cabinet doors open on cold nights, let faucets drip, insulate hot and cold pipes, and never thaw a pipe with an open flame. If a pipe bursts, shut off the water at the main valve and call a plumber.
What affects the cost of an emergency call
- Time of day, weekend or holiday.
- What it takes to stop the water and make it safe.
- Access to the pipe or fixture.
- Parts needed, such as a new valve, water heater or pipe section.
- Whether the full repair is done now or scheduled.
We give you the price before we start work.
DIY vs calling an emergency plumber
Closing valves, draining lines and moving belongings are smart first steps anyone can take. Thawing a frozen pipe with a hair dryer is fine if the pipe is exposed and not leaking. Call a plumber when you cannot stop the water, cannot find the frozen section, see sewage, or the water heater is leaking. Never use an open flame on pipes.
Insurance and permits in Virginia
Virginia's Bureau of Insurance consumer guide says to give immediate notice of a possible claim, protect the property from further damage and keep records of emergency repairs. Keep our invoice and your photos together. If an emergency leads to a gas water heater replacement, Fairfax County requires a permit even for a like-for-like swap.
Local note
Older homes in Falls Church and North Arlington often have pipes on exterior walls that freeze in cold snaps. Great Falls homes on private wells have pressure tanks and well lines that can freeze too; see plumbing in Great Falls. In Tysons condos, a burst pipe can affect the units below, so stop the water fast.
Emergency plumber questions
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Water you cannot stop, a burst or frozen pipe, sewage backing up into the house, a leaking water heater, no water at all, or water near electrical outlets or panels. If shutting a nearby valve stops the problem and the area is safe, it can often wait for a scheduled visit.
What should I do while I wait for the plumber?
Close the main shutoff valve, turn off power to wet areas if it is safe, open a faucet to drain pressure, move valuables away from the water and take photos for insurance. If the water heater is leaking, turn off its gas or power.
Where is the main water shutoff in a McLean home?
In most McLean homes it is in the basement or crawl space, on the wall where the water line comes in from the street, often near the water heater or a utility sink. Find it now, before you need it.
Do you handle gas leaks?
No. If you smell gas, leave the house right away, then call 911 and Washington Gas from outside. Do not use switches, phones or anything that could spark inside.
Do emergency calls cost more?
Calls at night, on weekends and on holidays can cost more than a scheduled visit. We tell you the price before work starts, and we will say so if your problem can safely wait until morning.
Will insurance cover emergency plumbing?
It depends on your policy. Virginia's Bureau of Insurance says to give immediate notice of a possible claim, protect the property from further damage and keep records of emergency repairs.
Sources
- CBS News — What to do if your pipes freeze (citing the American Red Cross)
- City of Fairfax — Utility and Cable Providers (gas leak steps)
- Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance — Homeowners Insurance Consumer's Guide
- Fairfax County Land Development Services — Household Appliance Permit
Last reviewed 2026-11-07. This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Read how we research and check pages in our editorial policy.
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Helpful guides
Seasonal & EmergenciesPrevent Frozen Pipes
Which pipes freeze in Northern Virginia homes, how to protect them and how to thaw one safely.
Leaks & DetectionWater Leak in Ceiling
Plumber, roofer or HVAC tech? How to tell where ceiling water is coming from and what to do first.
Water Heaters & FixturesWater Heater Leaking
Shut it off safely, find the source of the leak and decide whether to repair or replace.
Plumbing emergency right now? Call our McLean emergency line.
Call McLean Plumber Works any time, day or night. A plumber picks up and talks you through next steps.