Emergency Plumber in Tulsa, OK
Burst pipe, a gas smell or sewage coming up a drain? Start with the safety steps below, then request a free quote any time. We connect Tulsa-area homeowners with independent, licensed local plumbing contractors for free, no-obligation quotes. The plumber you choose quotes, pulls any permit, and does the work directly with you.
Get a Free Quote Call (727) 300-6656Do this first
- Water spraying or pouring: shut off the main water valve before anything else.
- Gas smell: leave the house first. Then call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251 from outside. Don’t flip switches or start a car in the garage.
- Sewage backing up or overflowing: call City of Tulsa Sewer Operations at (918) 586-6999 (the City lists it as open around the clock) or 311.
- Then: request quotes from licensed local plumbers and get the price in writing.
Burst and frozen pipes in Tulsa
Tulsa winters are mostly mild, which is exactly why a hard freeze catches homes off guard. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tulsa International Airport show about 72 nights a year at or below 32 °F and a January average low of 28.0 °F. The median last spring freeze is March 31 and the median first fall freeze is November 4, so the risk window runs about five months.
The bad years are the ones people remember. In February 2021, the National Weather Service in Tulsa recorded 10 consecutive days below freezing, record lows of −7 °F on February 15 and −13 °F on February 16, and a high of just 5 °F on February 15, the coldest February maximum on record. In February 2011, a 14.0-inch blizzard (Tulsa’s heaviest single storm) was followed by −12 °F on February 10.
Pipes in exterior walls, attics, crawlspaces and garages, and hose bibs, are the usual weak spots. A frozen pipe may not leak until it thaws. City ordinance also puts the job of keeping private service pipes in repair and protected from freezing on the property owner. Our guide to frozen pipes in Tulsa covers prevention before the next cold front.
Find your main water shutoff before you need it
The fastest way to limit damage from a burst pipe is to close the main shutoff valve. Look where the water line enters the house, often a utility room, garage or near the water heater. Many homes also have a shutoff at the meter, usually in a box near the street.
Close the main valve
Turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is stuck, don’t force it; use the meter-side shutoff instead.
Drain the lines
Open the lowest faucet in the house to let remaining water out and take pressure off the break.
Protect the area
Keep clear of water near outlets. Move belongings and take photos for your insurer.
Request quotes
Describe what failed and where.
Smell gas? Leave first, then call
A gas smell is a safety emergency before it is a plumbing job. Get everyone out of the house, then call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251. Read our page on what to do about a gas leak in Tulsa for more detail.
Once the utility has made the area safe, the repair itself is regulated. Oklahoma Natural Gas maintains the line from the main to the meter; the customer owns the house and yard piping past it. Under 59 O.S. §1850.10, gas piping may be installed or repaired only by a mechanical licensee or a licensed plumbing contractor or journeyman. Tulsa’s permit form lists gas piping, so ask whether the contractor will pull the permit. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sewage backup: City line or yours?
If sewage is backing up or overflowing, call City of Tulsa Sewer Operations at (918) 586-6999 or 311.
In Tulsa, the sewer and water lines from your house to the City’s connection are generally the homeowner’s responsibility. The City’s advice is to have a plumber camera the line to see whether the blockage is on the private side or the City’s. For private-side problems, see drain cleaning and sewer line repair for what that involves.
What after-hours plumbing costs
Many Tulsa plumbers offer after-hours service, usually at a higher rate. Some charge a higher hourly rate; others add a flat after-hours fee:
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Plumber hourly rate | $45–$150/hr nationally; $45–$165/hr in Tulsa (Thumbtack) |
| Service call / trip fee | $50–$200 (often includes the first hour) |
| Emergency / after-hours | $100–$350/hr, or a $150–$250 after-hours fee |
| Main sewer line cleaning | $175–$800 |
If the water is off and things are stable, regular hours may cost less. See the full Tulsa plumbing cost guide and calculator for more job types.
How an emergency quote request works
You can request a quote any time through our free quote form. Tell us what happened, whether the water or gas is off, and your ZIP code. We pass your request to independent local plumbing contractors who serve your area, and the plumber you choose talks with you directly about timing and price.
Related: water heater repair and replacement and leak detection.
Before you hire a plumber in Tulsa
Even in a hurry, check these with any contractor:
- Ask for the contractor’s Oklahoma plumbing contractor license number. Oklahoma rules require it on contractors’ ads, bids and contracts, with “OK” in front of it on both sides of work vehicles (OAC 158:30-5-3).
- Look it up on the Construction Industries Board’s “Are They Licensed?” page.
- Ask whether they are registered with your city (Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso…), as 59 O.S. §1020 requires, and whether they will pull the permit.
- Get the price in writing before work starts, including any after-hours fee.
- Gas smell? Leave the house first, then call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas at 800-458-4251.
Request emergency plumbing quotes across the Tulsa area:
Emergency plumbing FAQ
Is there an emergency plumber in Tulsa available at night?
Many Tulsa plumbers offer after-hours service, usually at a higher rate. You can request a free quote any time through our form, and we pass it to independent local plumbing contractors. Availability depends on each contractor, so if water is spreading, shut off the main valve first and call around while you wait. For a gas smell, leave the house and call 911 and ONG.
How much does an emergency plumber cost in Tulsa?
Published cost guides (2025-2026) put emergency or after-hours plumbing at about $100 to $350 an hour nationally, or a $150 to $250 after-hours fee on top of normal rates. Thumbtack lists $45 to $165 an hour for Tulsa plumbers in general. These are estimates, not quotes. Ask each plumber for the full price in writing before work starts.
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve to stop the flow, then turn off power to any wet area if you can do so safely. Open a faucet to drain the remaining pressure, move belongings away from the water, and take photos for insurance. Then request quotes from licensed plumbers. Knowing where your main shutoff is before an emergency saves the most water.
Who do I call for a sewage backup in Tulsa?
If sewage is backing up or overflowing, call City of Tulsa Sewer Operations at (918) 586-6999, which the City lists as always open, or call 311. The City suggests having a plumber camera the line to see whether the blockage is on your private side or the City's. In Tulsa, the sewer line from your house to the City's connection is generally the homeowner's responsibility.
Does an emergency pipe repair need a permit in Tulsa?
It can. Tulsa's plumbing permit form lists items such as reroute piping, water service, gas piping and building waste line, and only a licensed tradesperson may apply for trade permits. A small fix may not need one, but a reroute or line replacement usually does. Ask the plumber whether the job needs a permit and whether they will pull it. This is general information, not legal advice.
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