What counts as urgent
- Water you cannot shut off, a burst or leaking supply pipe, sewage coming up through floor drains or toilets, a gas water heater that smells of gas, or no water at all in winter. A dripping faucet can wait for morning; a flooding basement cannot.
- Gas smell? Leave the building and call Enbridge Gas or 911 once outside; plumbing comes after. That is a utility emergency first.
While you wait
- Close the main valve, which in most houses is in the basement near the water meter. Turn off the water heater if hot water is leaking. Turn off power to any area where water is near outlets or appliances, if you can do it safely from a dry spot. Stop flushing and running drains if sewage is backing up.
- Move rugs, boxes and electronics away from water. Take photos and video of the damage before cleanup if you will be calling your insurance company.
Signs you need this
- Water spraying from a pipe or fitting
- Sewage welling up from a floor drain
- Every tap in the house dry
- A storage tank leaking from its shell
- Water near electrical panels or outlets
When we arrive
- The first job is making the house safe: stopping the water, isolating the failure and confirming nothing else is at risk. Then we decide with you whether to make a full repair now or a safe temporary one until parts or daylight are available.
- Every emergency visit is written up in our job book, with the cause, what we did and what still needs doing. That record helps with insurance claims and with any follow-up work.
How the job runs
- 1
You call and a plumber talks you through the shut-off.
- 2
We arrive, stop the water and make the area safe.
- 3
The failure is repaired, or a safe temporary fix is made.
- 4
Everything is written up for you and your insurer.
Richmond Hill note: most houses here sit on York Region municipal water with fairly hard supply, and many basements have a floor drain tied to the sanitary lateral. Mention both on the phone; it changes what goes on the truck.
Want a second opinion on your own pipes first? Dial (365) 363-1575; the person answering holds the wrench.