If a pipe bursts during the night, first close the main water shutoff, then cut power to the well pump or water heater if needed, but only if you can do so while standing on a dry surface. If water has reached the basement, do not touch any electrical equipment. Then take photos, mop up what you can and call us. At Wilfrid David in Chénéville, emergencies are handled on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 819-428-3161.
First step: shut off the water
Go to the main water shutoff valve. In a home on a well, it is usually near the pressure tank, where the well line enters the house. In a home on municipal water, it is typically near the point where the pipe comes through the foundation. Turn it all the way closed.
We recommend locating this valve ahead of time, in daylight, rather than during an emergency. Label it and show everyone in the household where it is. If it is hard to turn or leaks when closed, contact us to have it checked or replaced: a reliable shutoff is essential when a pipe breaks.
If the leak comes from a single fixture, such as a toilet or sink, there is often a small shutoff valve right underneath. Close it, and the rest of the house keeps its water supply.
At a cottage, a night-time emergency is often caused by a frozen line that has split. If no water comes out at all, see our article on thawing frozen pipes safely. Never use a torch on a pipe.
Homes on a well: the pump
In a home on a well, the pump is what moves the water. If the break is upstream of the main valve, between the well and the house, closing the valve is not enough: the pump keeps sending water to the leak. In that case, switch off its breaker at the electrical panel, provided you can reach it while staying dry.
The same applies if the pump keeps starting while every tap is closed. Running continuously wears a pump out prematurely. Switch it off and contact us. We explain this problem in detail in our article on a well pump that keeps cycling.
The water heater
If the water heater is leaking, close the cold water valve that feeds it. If it is electric, switch off its breaker: an electric water heater that drains while its elements are still heating can be damaged. If it runs on natural gas or propane, do not adjust the controls; shut off the water and call us.
Also, if the main water supply has to stay off for several hours, switching off an electric water heater is a recommended precaution.
Water and electricity: safety first
If water is already entering the basement, the Québec government advises not to touch anything and to call Hydro-Québec at 1-800-790-2424 to have the power shut off. Do not go to the electrical panel if you would have to walk through water to reach it, or if the panel itself is wet. Do not use extension cords or a vacuum plugged into an outlet near a wet floor.
If water has not yet reached the basement, it may be helpful to cut power to the affected rooms, but only while standing on a dry surface and without touching anything metal. If Hydro-Québec has interrupted service, a master electrician must inspect the installation before power is restored.
Our priority is to stop the water, but never at the expense of your safety. If in doubt, wait for Hydro-Québec.
Photos for insurance and limiting the damage
Once the water is off and the situation is safe, photograph all of the damage: wide shots, close-ups of the leak and, if the water rose, its height on the walls. Keep your cleanup receipts as well.
Your insurer will also expect you to take steps to limit further damage. After the photos, mop up the water, lift items off the floor and open the cabinets under the sink to help them dry. Keep the broken section of pipe or the failed part, as your insurer may want to examine it, and contact your insurer promptly.
When to call a professional
Call us at 819-428-3161 if water keeps flowing with the valve closed, if the valve will not close, if a pump runs nonstop, if the water heater is leaking or if you have no water at all. Emergencies are handled on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights and weekends. All the details are on our 24/7 emergency plumbing page. For follow-up work, see our residential plumbing and wells and pumps services.
Filed under Residential plumbing · Wells and pumps
