24/7 Emergency Plumber in Louisville & Lexington, Kentucky
Founded in 1958, Dauenhauer Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric is a family-owned Kentucky plumbing company that provides 24/7 emergency plumbing throughout Central Kentucky. Our phone line is available all day, every day. Our automated messaging system helps us manage calls so we can service your emergency request at our earliest availability. Call (502) 275-0400 for everything from burst pipes, sewer backups, slab leaks, water heater leaks, frozen lines, or no-water.
What Counts as a Plumbing Emergency?
A plumbing emergency is any failure that creates flood, sewage, gas, or no-water risk that cannot wait for a normal appointment. In Kentucky, the most common emergencies are burst or frozen pipes, leaking water heaters, sewer backups into tubs or floor drains, sump pump failures during heavy rain, and main water line breaks. Slow drains, dripping faucets, and single fixture clogs are generally not considered emergencies.
Below is a symptom decision table to help you decide what actions to take when you have a plumbing problem.
“Is This a Plumbing Emergency?”
| Symptom | Action |
| Smell of natural gas (rotten eggs) anywhere in or near the home | Leave the home immediately. Call LG&E (502-589-1444) or Kentucky Utilities and 911 BEFORE calling a plumber. |
| Burst pipe with active flooding | Shut off the main water valve, kill power to flooded areas at the breaker, then call us. |
| Sewage backing up into tubs, sinks, or floor drains | Stop using all water in the home; keep family and pets clear; call us. Health hazard. |
| Water heater leaking from the tank itself | Shut off water supply to the heater and the gas/electric supply, then call us. |
| No water in the home (loss of pressure on every fixture) | Check Louisville Water / Kentucky-American outage map first; if no outage, call us. |
| Frozen pipes (no flow + freezing temps) | Open cabinets, leave faucets dripping, call us before pipes burst. |
| Sump pump failure during a rain event | Move valuables off the floor, call us—basement flood risk within hours. |
| Single slow drain or one clogged toilet (other toilets work) | Usually NOT an emergency. Schedule next-day service to save the after-hours fee. |
| Dripping faucet, running toilet, low pressure on one fixture | Not an emergency. Schedule a regular appointment. |
Safety First—Water Shutoff & Gas Smell
Protecting yourself and your family should be your priority when faced with plumbing emergencies. If you smell gas, active flooding, or have a severe sewage backup, it’s recommended to take the following steps.
- After noticing a gas smell, leave your home, call LG&E (502-589-1444) and 911.
- If you have active flooding, shut off your home’s main water valve and kill the electricity to the flooded areas.
- For sewer backups, stop running water and clear the affected area before calling an emergency plumber.
If you cannot locate or operate your main water shutoff, call us first—we’ll talk you through it before our truck arrives.
24/7 Emergency Plumbing Services We Handle
Dauenhauer’s expert plumbers are equipped to handle a wide variety of residential plumbing emergencies in Louisville and Lexington, KY.
- Burst, leaking, or frozen water lines (PEX, copper, galvanized)
- Sewer backups and mainline clogs (cabling, hydro-jetting, camera inspection)
- Water heater leaks, no hot water, T&P valve discharges, same-day replacement
- Toilet overflows, deep clogs, broken flange, leaking wax seal
- Sump pump and ejector pump failures (especially during heavy rain)
- Slab leaks, waterline breaks between meter and home, main shut-off failures
- Gas line leaks on the homeowner side of the LG&E meter
- Backflow / RPZ assembly failures and freeze damage
5 Steps to Take Right Now (While You Wait)
Once you’ve called Dauenhauer and are waiting for a technician to arrive, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Shut off the water at the main valve (front foundation wall, basement utility area, or at the meter).
- If a fixture is leaking but the main is hard to reach, close the local angle stop under the sink, behind the toilet, or near the heater.
- Cut power at the breaker to any flooded area before stepping in.
- Move valuables off the floor and place towels or buckets to contain the spread.
- Photograph and video the damage for your homeowners’ insurance claim before cleaning up.
Why Choose Dauenhauer for Emergency Plumbing
Here are just a few reasons why customers choose to call Dauenhauer for emergency plumbing services.
Trusted Local Plumbers
Dauenhauer has been serving the local area since 1958. Our family-owned business is led by Master Plumbers that are licensed, bonded, and insured. We’re BBB accredited and proud to have over 10,000 five-star Google reviews.
Transparent Estimates
Our team provides upfront pricing estimates before work begins, flexible financing options, and a written warranty for emergency repairs.
Broad Service Area
Our service areas include Jefferson, Fayette, Oldham, Bullitt, Shelby, Spencer, Henry, Anderson, Scott, and Woodford counties.
Emergency Plumbing FAQs
Is a clogged toilet a plumbing emergency?
If you have a single clogged toilet, it’s usually not a plumbing emergency, especially if other toilets and drains in the house work normally. Schedule a next-day appointment to avoid an after-hours fee.
However, it becomes an emergency when every toilet in the house backs up, sewage rises in tubs or floor drains, or the toilet overflows after one flush. These symptoms indicate a blocked sewer main line, which can flood the home within hours. If this is the case, shut off your water and call Dauenhauer immediately.
Does homeowners’ insurance cover burst pipe damage?
Generally, yes if the burst pipe causes sudden and accidental damage to flooring, drywall, and your personal belongings. However, it doesn’t usually cover the pipe repair itself or neglect/gradual damage.
How do I shut off the main water valve in my home?
To shut off the main water valve in your home, find where it’s located (typically in basement or crawlspace, utility room, garage, under the kitchen sink, or outside of the home). Then, for a ball valve, turn the handle a quarter turn so it’s perpendicular to the pipe. For a gate valve, turn the wheel clockwise until it stops.
Should I call my water utility or a plumber first?
Call a plumber if the issue is clearly inside your home, such as water heater failure, a leak under the sink, etc. If the issue is with the main sewer line, call your utility company first.
Schedule Emergency Plumbing Services
If you have a plumbing emergency in Jefferson, Fayette, or the surrounding counties, Dauenhauer can help. We’ll be there as fast as we can to make swift repairs to restore your plumbing system today.
Call us at (502) 275-0400 or Schedule Online
