Burst Pipe? Sewage Backup? We Respond Fast.
Plumbing emergency in Charlottesville? A real person answers when you call.
No overtime. No after-hours surcharge. Flat $89 dispatch fee — same rate whether you call at 8am or 2am. Written estimate before any repair starts.
We stop the active problem first, then give you a written estimate.
Request Emergency Service Now
Leave your number and we’ll call you back within 15 minutes.
Or call us now: (434) 505-4780
Otter Guys Plumbing was great to work with. Communication was clear from the start, letting us know specific arrival times and direct communication from the plumbers themselves when they were on the way. When Ty and Don arrived, they were kind and easy to interact with. They took the time to communicate clearly through every step: diagnosing the problem, explaining what was going on, what the potential issues were, and what needed to happen moving forward. They educated us about the situation instead of just telling us what to do. Pricing was communicated clearly the whole way through. Everything felt transparent and straightforward, and we didn’t feel pressured to do more than was necessary, like we’ve felt with other contractors.
Why Charlottesville calls The Otter Guys in a plumbing emergency
Fast response — we come when you need us
Plumbing emergencies don’t wait. Call (434) 505-4780 and we’ll dispatch a licensed plumber as quickly as possible. We’ll give you a real ETA, not a vague promise. Flat $89 dispatch fee — no overtime, no after-hours surcharge.
Full-service plumbing under one roof
Whatever caused your emergency — burst pipe, sewer backup, failed water heater, water line break — we handle it all. One company, one truck, no hand-offs to specialists.
Upfront pricing — even in an emergency
Your technician stops the active problem first, then gives you a written estimate before any repair work begins. You approve the price before we start — we don’t take advantage of a crisis. No surprise charges.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
On every job, every time
Licensed & Insured
VA License #2705181379
BBB A+ Rated
Accredited business
Charlottesville’s Finest
Gold Award 2023–2025
Plumbing Emergencies We Handle
Burst or Leaking Pipes
Sudden pipe failure, slow leaks getting worse, or water appearing where it shouldn’t.
Sewage Backup
Toilets or drains backing up with sewage. Health hazard — call immediately.
Water Heater Failure
No hot water, especially in cold weather. Failed heating element, pilot light, gas valve, or total tank failure — same-day diagnosis available.
Flooding or Water Damage
Active flooding from a plumbing failure. Shut off your main water valve and call us immediately.
Main Water Line Failure
No water in the house, or water gushing outside. Main line failures cause immediate flooding and property damage — call us right away.
Toilet or Drain Overflow
Sewage at floor level, overflowing toilet, or backflow into your tub or shower.
Trusted by 6,000+ Charlottesville Homeowners
“Really really great service. I felt seen and like they were going to make sure I was fully taken care of. I had been told they were a great experience, and now have my own story to back it up.”Christy Scott Google Review
“Scott was very pleasant, efficient and showed concern for our safety. He not only made sure we had running water throughout the house but that we were able to get my car out of the driveway before he left. Scott treated us more like family rather than just a paying customer.”Sharon O’Neill Google Review
“Highly recommend. Lee and Dwayne are really professional and have a love for what they do. Will use them forever.”John Mawyer Google Review
What happens when you call us right now
We answer live
Call (434) 505-4780 and a real person answers. Tell us what’s happening. We’ll dispatch the nearest available plumber immediately and give you a real ETA. Flat $89 dispatch fee — same rate any time of day.
A plumber at your door
Your technician arrives, assesses the situation, and stops the active problem first — whether that’s shutting off a valve, containing a leak, or stabilizing the situation. Then they explain exactly what happened and what needs to be fixed.
Written estimate, then the fix
Before any repair work begins, you get a written estimate with exact pricing. You approve it — then we fix it. Most emergency repairs are completed the same visit.
Plumbing Emergency? Every Minute Matters.
Active leak, burst pipe, or sewage backup — the damage gets worse every minute. Call now and we’ll dispatch a plumber your way. We stop the active problem first, then give you a written estimate for the repair. Flat $89 dispatch fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Call (434) 505-4780 and a real person will answer. We dispatch as fast as possible for active emergencies — burst pipes, sewage backups, flooding, and water heater failures. Flat $89 dispatch fee regardless of when you call.
We charge a flat $89 dispatch fee — the same rate whether you call at 8am or 2am. We don’t charge overtime or after-hours premiums. After that, your technician gives you a written estimate with exact repair costs before any work begins. You approve it before we start.
Response time depends on technician availability and your location. When you call, we’ll give you a real ETA — not a vague promise. We dispatch from Charlottesville, so local calls are usually fastest.
If it’s a water emergency: find your main shutoff valve and turn it off to stop water flow — it’s usually near the water meter or where the main line enters the house. If you smell gas: get everyone out, don’t flip any switches, and call 911 before calling us. For sewage backup: stop using all drains and toilets and keep people away from the affected area.
Call (434) 505-4780 and we’ll let you know what’s available right now — we respond to after-hours emergencies. There’s no after-hours premium or overtime charge — the flat $89 dispatch fee applies any time you call.
Active water leak you can’t stop, burst pipe, sewage backing up into your home, no hot water in winter, and gas smell in the house (call 911 first for gas). Slow drains and dripping faucets are urgent but not emergencies — we can often schedule those same-day during normal hours.
Whatever’s happening — we’ve seen it before, and we can fix it. The Otter Guys have handled thousands of plumbing emergencies in Charlottesville since 1960. Burst pipe, sewage backup, flooding — call (434) 505-4780. A real person answers. Flat $89 dispatch fee, no overtime, written estimate before we start the repair.