Leak? Here’s what to do right now.
Stop the water first, then find where it comes from. Once the water is off, most leaks can wait a few hours. Water near anything electrical can’t.
First, this.
Close the main shut-off valve
Close your home's main water shutoff valve, on the main line where it enters the house. Find and tag it before you ever need it.
SourceLeave the city’s valve alone
Do not turn the city's valve at the meter or curb. Longview allows only city employees or licensed plumbers to operate water valves; Tyler's service agreement forbids tampering with meters and valves.
SourceCan’t stop it? Call the city
If you cannot stop the water yourself, call the city water line after hours: Tyler (903) 597-6541; Longview 903-236-3030.
SourceShut off the fixture before you touch it
Before working on a dripping faucet or fixture, turn off its water line first.
SourceHidden leak? Read the meter twice
To confirm a hidden leak, read your water meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. If it changed at all, you probably have a leak.
Source
Usually a job for today.
- Call nowWater you cannot stop with the house valve, or water reaching outlets, the electrical panel, or appliances.
- TodayA leak you have stopped by closing a fixture valve or the main, a spreading ceiling stain, or a wet floor with no obvious source.
- Can waitWorn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. EPA says these common leaks are often easy to fix with a few tools.
Before you call.
Safety first
What to tell the plumber
- Where the water shows up (under a sink, ceiling, wall, floor, yard) and when you first noticed it.
- Whether you shut off the main or a fixture valve, and where your main shutoff is.
- Photos of the leak and any stains, and the result of your meter test if you did one.
- Approximate age of the home and pipe type if known (copper, galvanized, plastic).
What it costs
Your plumber quotes before starting; we don’t publish plumbers’ prices. City fees we can source: Longview emergency water cut-off at customer request: $50; Longview after-hours water service request: $50; Longview meter test fee, charged if the meter is found within AWWA tolerance: $75.
Calling us is free. The plumber pays us a referral fee.
Worth knowing
10 on our list do leaks.
Of the 26, by their Google profiles. Sam checks who takes it when you call.
East Texas Leak Locators & Plumbing Services
Photo: easttexasleaklocators.com
Meet East Texas Leak LocatorsWe don’t do the work. Reviews are for each plumber, from Google.