Who to call for what in an Edmond plumbing emergency
Edmond runs its own water, sewer and electric systems, and Oklahoma Natural Gas brings in the gas. That means four different owners can be involved in one bad night, and knowing whose side a problem is on saves real time. Here is how it breaks down:
- A leak between the meter and the house, or anywhere inside. Per the city, the property owner is responsible for the private service line on the house side of the meter. That is our job.
- Water pouring out of the meter box or the street. The public line from the main to the meter is the city's. Call the City of Edmond first.
- A gas smell. Leave the house, then call 911 and Oklahoma Natural Gas from outside. The utility maintains the pipe up to your home. Piping inside the house and lines to outbuildings or outdoor appliances are the customer's to repair, and the gas company says that work should be done by a licensed contractor.
- No power to an electric water heater or well pump. Edmond Electric has been run by the city since 1908. Check with them before assuming the appliance failed.
Find your shutoff before you need it
The fastest way to limit water damage is to close the main valve, and most people have never looked for it. In Edmond slab homes, the house shutoff is often in the garage, a utility closet or near the water heater, close to where the supply line comes up through the floor. Older homes near downtown and UCO may have it in a crawlspace or on the wall behind the front hose bib.
If you can't find a house valve, the curb valve inside the meter box will stop the water, though it can take a meter key and some muscle. On an acreage property east of I-35 that draws from a private well, switching off the well pump breaker stops the flow at the source. Walk your house this week and tag the valve. You will thank yourself later.
What counts as a plumbing emergency
- Water spraying from a pipe, or a ceiling that is wet, stained or sagging
- Sewage coming up a floor drain, tub or shower
- A gas smell near a water heater, range or outdoor line
- No water to the whole house during a freeze
- A water heater leaking from the tank itself
- A septic or aerobic system alarm with drains backing up
A dripping faucet or a slow tub can wait for a scheduled visit. Anything on this list should not.
After the emergency: permits and paperwork
Clearing a stoppage or replacing parts inside a faucet needs no permit in Edmond. Cutting in new pipe does, since Edmond treats any change to the piping as a plumbing alteration, and gas line work needs a mechanical permit. The city's inspection list includes a gas line pressure test, so a repaired gas line gets checked before it goes back into service. We file the permits with Building & Fire Code Services and take photos you can share with your insurance adjuster.
Want the full picture of what we cover after hours? See our 24/7 emergency plumbing services, or read more about local homes and utilities on our Edmond plumbing page.