- LicensedTexas Master Plumber 40980
- On call 24/7Licensed plumbers for emergencies
- Brazos ValleyCollege Station, Bryan and nearby
A plumbing emergency is a situation where waiting makes the damage worse. 4L Contracting keeps licensed plumbers on call for those situations across College Station, Bryan and the nearby Brazos Valley communities. Phone is the only reliable way to reach a plumber outside office hours.
Call 979-473-9775Non-Urgent Contact
CALL 979-473-9775 FIRST, THEN READ THE REST OF THIS PAGE
A form is the wrong tool for an emergency. Nobody is watching a form inbox at 3 AM. The phone number below is answered for plumbing emergencies.
Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies.
WHAT TO DO IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES
Stop the water at the fixture shutoff or the main. Getting the flow stopped is the single most useful thing you can do before a plumber arrives.
Keep people and pets away from standing water. You do not know what is in it, and contaminated water from a sewer backup is a health hazard.
If water is near electrical outlets, panels or appliances, do not walk into it. Switch off power at the breaker only if you can reach it safely and dryly.
Move what you can lift out of the affected area. Photograph the damage before anything is cleaned up so your insurer has a record.
What our customers say
Published exactly as written, straight from Google.
Found late Friday evening that I did not have hot water, and it was the weekend... YIKES!! Contacted 4L Contracting LLC; they came out within a couple of hours and had me working in a short time. Lee went above and beyond, letting me know about other problems identified in my attic, a problem with my chimney, and a heating vent installation problem. After he left, I found a water leak in the laundry room ceiling. He turned around and came back to my house. He found the air conditioning drain pipe was backed up. He blew it out the drain pipe, preventing a big disaster. So appreciate his thoroughness and helping me on a Friday after-hours house call. He definitely went above and beyond.
I had a great experience working with 4L Contracting LLC. They were awesome to work with, they were professional, responsive, and clearly knew what they were doing. We had a massive leak that needed immediate attention, and they showed up quickly and handled it efficiently. They not only fixed the issue fast but also made sure everything was done right. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone needing reliable, high quality work!
Used 4L Contracting the first time a couple years ago and since then they have replaced a water heater, reset toilets, replaced water lines, and located and fixed a leak under the house! They have been amazing to work with over the years, I cannot recommend these guys enough!
Water Softener installation Completed! Just wanted to give a shout out to Kurt and Lane on their outstanding customer service today. I hired 4L Contracting LLC to install a water softener in our home. After finding out the water softener I had purchased was missing parts, the job was rescheduled for Monday. I was able to return the water softener and get a replacement fairly quick. So I sent a text to Kurt, letting him know I had done so. He informed me they were nearby and could do the job in about 30 minutes if I could meet them back at my home. I hurried home and in about 2 hours the job was completed. Tonight my wife and I shall enjoy a soft water shower!
My husband and I had a broken pipe in the foundation and it was leaking pretty bad into our hallway, and 4L Contracting came that day we called, assessed the issue, and was back the next day and completely fixed the problem. They were so nice and helpful! I cannot tell you how pleased we were with their service. I recommend 4L Contracting!
My wife and I discovered a water leak coming out of our wall. 4L Contracting LLC came out that day and found where the leak was coming from (copper pipe leaking in the slab), they started working immediately and finished the next day.
These plumbers are honest, knowledgeable and reliable! They helped us fix a leak and answered all our questions about other issues in the house. Highly recommend!
Lee and his guys are Great. Their communication on our projects have been superb! Always letting us know when they will be at the job site. Lee is doing 3 projects for our Airbnb's at one time, and his organization of his paperwork is paramount for us.
FIND YOUR WATER SHUTOFF BEFORE YOU NEED IT
Most homes have a fixture shutoff under the sink or behind the toilet that closes just that supply line. There is also a main shutoff for the whole house. It is usually near the water meter at the street, or on an exterior wall close to where the supply enters. Turning it clockwise closes it.
A valve that has not moved in years may be stiff or corroded, so locate it on a calm day and confirm it turns. Show everyone in the house where it is so that anyone home at the time can act.
Do not attempt to operate a gas valve yourself. Gas shutoffs require the gas utility and a licensed plumber.
A BURST OR SPLIT PIPE AND WATER THAT KEEPS SPREADING
A burst supply line can push significant water into a wall, ceiling or floor in a short time. In Brazos County the most common trigger is a cold snap. It usually happens at an unheated exterior wall, an attic run, or an outdoor hose bib left connected through a freeze.
Close the main shutoff first, then open a low faucet to drain pressure from the line. That stops the loss. Then call 979-473-9775.
You may have had more than one pipe failure in a short period. That is a separate conversation about the condition of the system overall. See whole-home repiping for what that process involves.
SEWAGE BACKING UP INTO THE HOUSE
Treat this as a health situation, not an inconvenience. Raw sewage carries bacteria that are harmful on contact, and the affected area needs to be kept clear.
Multiple fixtures backing up at once, or a toilet that overflows when the washing machine drains. That points at the main sewer line, not a single fixture clog. Stop running water into the system, keep people out of the affected rooms, and call.
After the line has been opened and inspected, there are two next steps. Drain cleaning if the blockage can be cleared, or sewer line replacement if the pipe itself has failed.
IF YOU SMELL GAS, GET EVERYONE OUTSIDE FIRST
Order matters and must be exactly this. Leave the building immediately. Do not switch anything on or off. Do not touch a light switch, a garage door opener, or use a phone while still inside. Get everyone clear of the building.
Once you are outside and clear, call your gas utility and 911 from that location. This is not optional. The utility controls the supply side and emergency services are trained for this.
Only after the immediate hazard has been addressed does a plumber get involved for the gas piping on your side of the meter. See gas line services for what that repair work involves. Do not attempt to find or fix a gas leak yourself.
NO WATER AT ALL, OR NO WATER ON ONE SIDE OF THE HOUSE
A whole property with no water is a different situation from one fixture with no pressure. Both are worth a call when the cause is not obvious. Common causes include a closed main shutoff, or a supply line failure behind a wall. It can also be a pressure regulator that has failed, or a slab leak that has been isolated. A slab leak under the foundation can affect one zone of the house more than another.
No hot water is its own case. A water heater that has stopped producing hot water may need repair or replacement. See the water heater installation page for what is involved when a unit reaches the end of its useful life.
WHICH PROBLEMS ARE EMERGENCIES AND WHICH CAN WAIT FOR OFFICE HOURS
| Call now | Can usually wait |
|---|---|
| Water you cannot stop at a shutoff | A slow drip that is contained |
| Sewage coming up into the living space | One slow drain |
| A smell of gas anywhere in or near the building | A running toilet |
| No water to the whole property with no obvious cause | Low pressure at a single fixture |
| A water heater actively leaking onto the floor | A small damp patch you are monitoring |
| Water near electrical outlets, panels or appliances | |
| Not sure which one yours is? Call 979-473-9775 and we will tell you | |
Calling after hours for something that is not an emergency costs you money that daytime scheduling would not. We will tell you honestly which one you have.
Not sure where to start?
Talk to a licensed plumber
Describe what your plumbing is doing and we will tell you what it likely is before anyone comes out.
WHAT THE ON CALL PLUMBER DOES WHEN THEY ARRIVE
The first priority is identifying the source, stopping the loss, isolating what has to be isolated, and making the property safe. Not every cause is obvious in the dark and not every repair can be completed on a first visit.
Some things can be verified on the spot. Others need daylight, equipment, or a second visit after the area has dried. A temporary stabilization is sometimes the right call at night, with the permanent repair scheduled properly the following day.
We do not promise an arrival window because traffic, distance and job complexity all affect it. What we can tell you is that a licensed plumber takes the call and gives you honest guidance on next steps.
MAKE IT SAFE FIRST, WRITTEN PRICING BEFORE THE REPAIR
Emergency work still follows the same process as any other job. The plumber identifies the scope, gives you written pricing, and you authorize the work before it starts. There are no surprises added to an invoice after the fact. See our plumbing prices page for how that process works in practice.
Emergency repair work is covered by our workmanship warranty on the authorized scope. The warranty covers the work performed and does not extend to unrelated existing system conditions. No prices or rate ranges are quoted over the phone because scope determines cost and scope requires a site visit.
AFTER HOURS CALLS, OFFICE HOURS AND HOW THE TWO WORK TOGETHER
Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies.
The on call line exists for damage that is happening right now. If water is spreading, sewage is in the building, or you smell gas, that is what the after hours line is for.
Anything that is not an active emergency is better booked into office hours. It gets a proper scheduled slot, the right crew, and the right equipment for the job. If you are not sure which situation you have, call and we will help you figure it out.
EMERGENCY PLUMBING QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKED AT 2 AM
Is this actually an emergency or can it wait until morning?
If water is spreading, sewage is in the living space, you smell gas, or the whole property has no water, call now. If it is a drip or a single slow drain, office hours scheduling is the better use of your money.
Should I turn the water off myself?
Yes, if you can reach the fixture shutoff or the main safely. Stopping the flow is the single most useful thing you can do before a plumber arrives. Leave gas valves alone.
What will an emergency call cost?
Pricing is put in writing after the plumber has seen the problem and identified the scope, and you authorize the work before it starts. Our plumbing prices page explains how the written estimate process works.
Do you cover my town?
We serve College Station, Bryan and the surrounding communities. Availability depends on the requested work and the location, so call and we will confirm.
WHAT IT COSTS AND HOW YOU PAY
Price in Writing Before Work Starts
You get a written price covering the scope we recommend and what it includes. No verbal estimates. No extra charges added after the fact. You approve the scope and cost before we start.
Workmanship Warranty
Every installation we perform is backed by a workmanship warranty. If a problem with our work develops within the warranty period, we return and fix it at no charge to you.
Office Hours and Emergency Availability
Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies. Reach us at 979-473-9775.
EMERGENCY PLUMBING NEAR YOU
We work across College Station, Bryan and the towns around them. Pick your town, or check whether we cover your area.
REACH A LICENSED PLUMBER NOW
Call first. Office hours Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Licensed plumbers on call 24/7 for plumbing emergencies. For anything that is not urgent, use the contact page to schedule during office hours. For the full list of what 4L does, see our services page.
Common questions
I cannot find my main shutoff, or it will not turn. What now?
Look in three places. Inside or under the house where the supply enters, on an exterior wall on the street side, and in the meter box at the curb. The meter box holds the utility's valve and usually needs a meter key rather than bare hands. Do not force an old gate valve that has seized, because snapping the stem turns one problem into two. If the main will not close, shut the individual stops under sinks and behind toilets, close the cold inlet at the water heater, and call.
Should I turn the power off to my water heater?
If the tank has emptied, or you have shut the water off with the heater still hot, yes. On an electric unit switch off the breaker labeled water heater at the panel, because an element firing in a tank with no water in it burns out within minutes. On a gas unit, turn the control knob on the front of the unit to off. Leave the valve at the gas meter alone, that one belongs to the utility. If water is standing anywhere near the electrical panel, do not go near it.
When should I call 911 or the gas utility instead of a plumber?
Call them first, not us, in these cases. A smell of gas anywhere in or near the building, or hissing at the meter. Any carbon monoxide alarm sounding. Water reaching an electrical panel, a meter base, or an outlet you would have to step through water to get to. Anyone injured, or feeling dizzy or sick with an appliance running. Leave the building, touch no switch on your way out, and make the call from outside. A plumber comes after the hazard is controlled, not instead of it.
Water is coming through the ceiling and it is bulging. What do I do?
Get everyone out of that room and keep them out. A ceiling holding water can come down all at once and it is heavy. Shut the water off at the main. If the electrical panel is dry and safe to reach, switch off the breaker for the lights and fans in that ceiling, because light fixtures are exactly where water travels to. Do not stand underneath trying to catch drips. Photograph it from the doorway for your insurer, then call and say it is a ceiling holding water.
It is the middle of the night. Can this wait until morning?
Ask yourself one question. Can you stop the water and live without that fixture until office hours. If closing a stop under a sink stops the leak, you have bought yourself the night and a scheduled appointment, which is the better use of your money. If the water cannot be stopped, if sewage is in the living space, if you smell gas, or if the whole property has lost water, calling now costs you less than waiting even though it does not feel that way. Call 979-473-9775 and we will help you tell which one you have.
What should I have ready when I call?
The address with any gate code or dog situation. Whether the water is off and where you shut it. What you are seeing and when it started. Whether it is one fixture or the whole property. Whether the water heater is gas or electric. Whether you know where the cleanout and the meter are. If it is a drain problem, say which fixtures are affected and in what order they went. That handful of facts decides what the plumber brings and often shortens the visit considerably. The number is 979-473-9775.
A pipe is frozen but has not burst. What should I do?
Open the faucet that pipe feeds, so melting water has somewhere to go and pressure cannot build behind the ice. Warm the space around it with ambient heat, a hair dryer, or towels soaked in hot water. Never use a torch or any open flame on a pipe, and never inside a wall cavity. Find your shutoff before you start thawing, because a split usually announces itself the moment the ice clears. Leaving cabinet doors open under sinks on exterior walls helps prevent the next one.
Do I need to call my insurance company before you start?
Photograph everything first, from several angles, before anything is moved or cleaned up. Then call your carrier and get a claim number. Policies generally expect you to stop the loss immediately rather than wait for an adjuster, so shutting the water off is not something you need permission for. Keep our written scope and the invoice for the file. Drying, mold remediation and rebuilding are separate trades from plumbing, and your adjuster will treat them as separate items.
Have a plumbing question? Contact an expert.