What counts as an emergency
Any situation that can damage the building or leave you without water is an emergency. For example:
- No water at all, in a house or cottage on a well.
- A frozen pipe, or one that split while thawing.
- A major leak that cannot be stopped.
- Sewage or septic backing up into the house.
- The septic or pump alarm going off, or a tank overflowing onto the yard.
A dripping faucet or a toilet that runs slightly can wait until business hours. Call us to book an appointment.
While you wait for us
Shut off the water. On town water, the main valve is near where the line comes in, usually in the basement or crawlspace. On a well, turn off the pump's breaker at the panel, then close the main valve after the pressure tank.
Pump running but no water? Cut its power at the breaker. A pump that runs dry can be damaged.
Frozen pipe? Never use an open flame or a torch: they can start a fire. You can use a hair dryer on gentle heat, moved slowly along the pipe. If the pipe looks split or cracked, leave the water off and wait for us. You will find more details on our thawing and heat cable page.
Leaking water heater? Close the cold-water valve feeding it, and turn off its breaker if it's electric.
Backup? Stop using water: no flushing, no laundry, no showers. Don't handle sewage without gloves. If the water is rising near outlets or the electrical panel, stay out of the basement.
Septic alarm? Keep water use to the bare minimum. Don't open the tank, and never climb into one: the gases that build up inside are dangerous.
What helps when we get there
- The exact address, and directions if it's a private road or a cottage at the far end of a lake.
- Clear access to the pump, the pressure tank, the main valve and the crawlspace.
- Snow cleared off the septic tank lids, if the problem involves the septic system.
- Photos of the problem, sent to info@wilfriddavid.ca.
- If you are not on site, someone who can give us access.
Outside opening hours
The store and office are open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Outside those hours we are closed, but emergencies are on call at the same number: 819-428-3161.
We have also published an article on the subject: plumbing emergency at night.