Plumber Austin: When Your Home Needs Help at 2 AM

Need the best Austin plumbers? Abacus offers standard and emergency plumbing repairs. We’re open 24/7! Call Abacus for any problems that develop in your home. 

Last Tuesday night, Sarah from Cedar Park called us at 2:17 AM. Her voice was shaky—water was pouring from under her kitchen sink, and she could hear it running beneath the floor. Her husband was out of town, the kids were asleep upstairs, and she had no idea where the shut-off valve was located. "I'm watching my kitchen flood and I don't know what to do," she said.

We've taken thousands of calls like Sarah's since 2003. That moment when you realize something's seriously wrong with your plumbing—whether it's 2 AM or 2 PM—feels the same. Your heart races. You're calculating the damage. You're wondering if this will cost thousands. And you're asking yourself: Who can I actually trust to fix this right now?

If you're reading this because your toilet won't stop running, your water heater is making concerning noises, or you're staring at a mysterious puddle spreading across your floor, you're in the right place. Abacus Plumbing has been solving Austin's toughest plumbing problems for over two decades. We're not the cheapest option in town—we're the one your neighbors in Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Georgetown call when they need it done right the first time.

Our founder, Alan O'Neill, started this company with a simple philosophy: treat every Austin home like it's your own. That means showing up when we say we will, explaining what's actually wrong in plain English, and never recommending work you don't need. Whether you're dealing with a plumbing emergency that can't wait or finally addressing that slow drain you've been ignoring for months, our licensed plumbers are available 24/7—including holidays, because pipes don't respect your schedule.

We know Austin homes. We understand how our hard water (some of the hardest in Texas at 120-180 ppm) destroys fixtures and appliances. We've seen what our aggressive live oak roots do to sewer lines. We've repiped countless homes built in the 60s, 70s, and 80s throughout the metro area. And yes, we were here during the 2021 freeze when thousands of Austin families dealt with burst pipes.

You don't need to become a plumbing expert today. You just need someone who already is—someone who answers the phone, shows up on time, and fixes the problem so you can get back to your life..

Plumbing emergencies don't schedule appointments. A pipe bursts at midnight. Your water heater fails on Sunday morning. The toilet overflows right before your in-laws arrive. When you call our emergency line at 512-943-7070, you're talking to a real person who can dispatch a licensed plumber to your home, often within the hour. We serve the entire Austin metro area—from Georgetown to Buda, Round Rock to Dripping Springs—24/7, including holidays.

Burst pipes are particularly common during Austin's occasional hard freezes. Our emergency pipe repair service stops the flooding, assesses the damage, and gets your water flowing safely again—usually the same day.

Slab leaks are another Austin specialty, thanks to our expansive clay soil that shifts with the seasons. If you've noticed a spike in your water bill, warm spots on your floor, or the sound of running water when nothing's on, you might have a leak underneath your foundation. Our non-invasive leak detection equipment pinpoints the exact location without tearing up your floors unnecessarily.

There's no good time to lose hot water, but it always seems to happen at the worst possible moment—right before a busy workweek or when you have a house full of guests. At Abacus, we service every type of water heater: traditional tank units, tankless systems, gas, and electric models from brands like Rheem, Bradford White, and Rinnai.

Austin's hard water is brutal on water heaters. The mineral buildup accelerates wear on heating elements and tanks, which is why many Austin water heaters fail years before their expected lifespan. Whether your current water heater is making rumbling noises, producing rusty water, or simply not heating like it used to, our technicians can diagnose the issue during a single visit. We carry common repair parts on our trucks, which means most water heater repairs are completed the same day without a return trip.

A clogged drain starts as an annoyance—water draining slowly, standing water in the sink. Left alone, it becomes a full backup flooding your bathroom or kitchen. We handle drain cleaning throughout Austin homes, from simple sink clogs to complex main line blockages. Austin's live oak trees are beautiful, but their root systems are aggressive. We regularly clear tree roots from sewer lines in established neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Clarksville. Our hydro jetting service uses high-pressure water to scour pipes clean—eliminating grease buildup, root intrusion, and debris. For stubborn blockages, we use video camera inspection to see exactly what we're dealing with before recommending a solution.

Austin summers are no joke. When your AC fails in July and it's 102 degrees outside, you need fast, reliable service from technicians who understand Central Texas heat. Our fast response air conditioning repair service team handles everything from simple refrigerant recharges to complete system replacements. Whether your unit is blowing warm air, making strange noises, or struggling to keep up with our brutal heat, we'll get your home comfortable again. Our emergency AC repair service operates 24/7 because losing cooling in an Austin summer isn't just uncomfortable—it's a health hazard.

Replacing an AC system is a significant investment, and Austin homeowners deserve honest guidance. We install high-efficiency systems sized appropriately for your home's square footage and insulation levels. A house in Westlake Hills with mature tree shade has different cooling needs than a newer build in Pflugerville with full sun exposure. We factor in Austin Energy rebates (often $1,200+ for qualifying systems), help you understand SEER ratings, and provide flexible financing options. We've completed thousands of installations across the Austin metro, from compact homes in East Austin to sprawling properties in Bee Cave.

Electrical problems aren't DIY territory. Our licensed electricians handle everything from tripping breakers and flickering lights to complete panel upgrades and whole-house generator installations. Many older Austin homes in neighborhoods like Brentwood and Allandale are running modern electrical loads on outdated 100-amp panels—a recipe for problems. We upgrade electrical panels to meet current code, install GFCI outlets, and add circuits for EV chargers. Our electrical safety inspections identify potential hazards before they become emergencies. Every electrician on our team is licensed, background-checked, and experienced with Austin's specific electrical codes.

Your home's heating and cooling system requires professional expertise. As a full-service HVAC contractor, we handle complete system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance for Austin-area homes. We assess your home's unique needs—considering square footage, insulation, window placement, and local climate—to recommend systems that deliver optimal comfort and efficiency. Our contractors manage every aspect of HVAC projects, from permit applications and code compliance to final inspection and system testing. Whether you're building new, renovating, or upgrading an aging system, we ensure your HVAC investment performs reliably for years to come.

Yes, we need heat in Austin—those winter nights dip into the 20s more often than newcomers expect. Our heating contractors service furnaces, heat pumps, and dual-fuel systems throughout the region. We perform seasonal tune-ups before winter arrives, checking burners, heat exchangers, and safety controls. When the 2021 freeze hit Austin, our team worked around the clock helping families restore heat safely. Whether you're dealing with a furnace that won't ignite or uneven heating throughout your home, our heating contractors diagnose and resolve issues efficiently.

Austin's water is notoriously hard—among the hardest in Texas. If you've noticed white buildup on faucets, dry skin after showers, or appliances wearing out faster than expected, hard water is the culprit. We supply and install whole-house water softeners that protect your appliances, plumbing fixtures, and water heater from premature failure. Our water filtration systems improve taste and remove contaminants, eliminating the need for bottled water. We'll test your water, recommend the right system for your household size, and handle all installation and maintenance.

Alan O'Neill founded Abacus with a master plumber's expertise and a commitment to treating customers fairly. Over 20 years later, we're still family-owned, still answering our phones at 3 AM, and still showing up when Austin homes need us most. We've earned multi-year awards from the Better Business Bureau, Angie's List, and Home Advisor—not through marketing gimmicks, but by doing quality work and standing behind it.

Our technicians are licensed, background-checked, and continuously trained on the latest techniques and equipment. They arrive in fully stocked trucks, provide upfront pricing before starting work, and treat your home with respect. We offer flexible financing options, including zero-down HVAC financing, because major home repairs shouldn't wait due to budget concerns.

Whether you need emergency plumbing at 2 AM, a water heater replaced before the weekend, or an AC system that can handle another Austin summer, we're here. We serve the entire Austin metro area—Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Leander, Lakeway, and beyond. Call 512-943-7070 anytime, day or night. When your home has a problem, you can count on us.