Immediate Action: Do This Now
- Check with neighbors. If they have no water either, it is likely a city-side issue; report it to Dallas Water Utilities through Dallas 311.
- Check your main shutoff and the valve at the meter box to make sure neither was closed.
- Look for water surfacing in the yard, driveway, or near the meter, a sign of a service line break.
- Turn off the water heater (gas to “pilot,” electric breaker off) if the outage will last; heating an empty tank can damage it.
- If it is just your house and you see signs of a break, request emergency help.
What Causes No Water in the House?
The cause is usually outside the house.
City water main break or maintenance
Affects several homes at once.
Closed or failed meter or main valve
Old gate valves can break internally and stop flow.
Broken service line
The line between meter and house can break, often with water pooling outside.
Frozen lines
In a hard freeze, exposed lines can freeze solid.
How Serious Is No Water in the House?
No water is a serious inconvenience but rarely a damage emergency on its own, unless it is caused by a break that is flooding somewhere. It is urgent if water is pooling, if a frozen line may burst when it thaws, or if someone in the home has medical needs.
What Should You Do Before the Plumber Arrives?
- Keep faucets closed so water does not run unattended when service returns.
- If a freeze is the cause, open cabinet doors to warm pipes and never use an open flame.
- Store a few gallons of drinking water if the outage could last.
Can It Be Repaired or Does It Need Replacement?
A failed valve is replaced. A broken service line is repaired at the break or replaced, which may involve digging. See pipe repair. City-side problems are handled by the utility.
How Much Can Emergency No Water Repair Cost?
Emergency and after-hours visits typically cost more than scheduled work, and the total depends on what failed and how hard it is to reach. We do not publish a price for this specific repair. See emergency plumber cost for published ranges with linked sources, and ask before work starts whether there is a dispatch or after-hours fee and whether it is credited toward the repair.
Related Problems
FAQs
Who fixes the line from the meter to my house?
Generally the property owner is responsible for the service line on their side of the meter.
Why is there air in the lines after water comes back?
Air enters during an outage. Run cold faucets slowly until flow is steady.
Shut off the water first if you can, then request emergency help.