What Should You Do When a Pipe Bursts?

The first few minutes decide how much damage a burst pipe causes. Have this sequence clear before you need it.

Shut off the water at the main valve, usually near the meter in the basement or a mechanical room. If only one fixture is involved, its own shut-off may be enough. Then open the lowest taps in the house to drain the remaining pressure out of the system.

Cut power to affected circuits only if the panel is dry and safe to reach. Move furniture and belongings clear, contain water with towels or a wet vacuum, and photograph everything before you start cleaning up.

Then call. Knowing which pipe, where, and whether the water is stopped helps us arrive prepared.

Prevention matters most in winter. Keep unheated areas above freezing, disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before the first cold snap, insulate pipes in crawl spaces and against exterior walls, and let a tap trickle during extreme cold on a run that has frozen before.

Need help with this in Brampton? Call (647) 493-0759 during service hours of 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM, or request plumbing service.