Burst pipe? What to do in the first hour
Water is coming out and every minute counts. Here's what to do, in order — in a house, a basement suite or a condo.
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Why the first hour matters
A burst supply pipe can release hundreds of litres of water an hour. Within minutes it spreads across the floor and wicks into drywall and baseboards; within hours it soaks into subfloors and reaches the floor below. Mould can start within 24–48 hours.
In Metro Vancouver, most burst pipes happen one of two ways: a cold snap freezes a pipe in a crawl space, garage or exterior wall, or an aging pipe or fitting simply gives way — galvanized steel, Poly-B (the grey plastic piping common in BC homes built from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s) or a worn braided supply line under a sink or toilet. Either way, the first steps are the same.
Do this first
The first hour, step by step
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1
Shut off the water
Close the main shut-off. In a house it's usually where the water line comes in — often in the basement, crawl space or utility room on the street side. In a condo, look near the water heater, laundry or under the kitchen sink.
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2
Make it safe
Stay out of water near outlets, power bars or the electrical panel. Switch off breakers for wet areas only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. If in doubt, stay out.
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3
Drain the pipes
Open the lowest tap in the home, and a tap upstairs, to empty the water left in the lines. If the water will be off for a while, switch off the water heater.
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4
Limit the spread
Move electronics, rugs, papers and furniture out of the water. Put foil or plastic under furniture legs. Mop or towel up what you can safely reach.
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5
Document and get help
Take photos and video of the damage and the pipe, then request a callback. A plumber repairs the pipe; we extract the water, dry the structure and repair the damage.
Avoid these
What not to do
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Don't use a household vacuum
It isn't made for water. It's an electrical risk and it won't remove water from carpet pad or under flooring.
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Don't crank up the heat to dry it
Heat without dehumidification drives moisture into the air and other rooms, and can speed up mould.
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Don't thaw pipes with a flame
Torches and heat guns start fires inside walls. Use gentle heat only.
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Don't stand under a sagging ceiling
Water pooling above drywall can bring the ceiling down. Keep people and pets out of the room.
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Don't turn the water back on early
Wait until the pipe is properly repaired, even if the leak looks small.
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Don't wait for it to air-dry
Floors can feel dry while the subfloor and wall cavities are still wet. That's where mould and warping start.
In a condo or strata building
Water doesn't stay in one unit. After closing your in-suite valve, tell building management or the caretaker right away — they may need to shut off a riser and check the units below. If you can't find an in-suite valve, contact them first.
Knock on your downstairs neighbour's door: water often reaches their ceiling before you see much on your own floor. Write down when you found the leak and what you did, and contact your property manager early — your strata bylaws decide who handles what.
If a pipe is frozen but hasn't burst
Signs of a frozen pipe: during a cold snap, a tap gives little or no water, or you see frost or a bulge on an exposed pipe. Act before it splits.
Keep the tap open. Warm the pipe slowly with a hair dryer, warm towels or a space heater kept at a safe distance, starting from the tap end and working back. Never use an open flame. If you can't find or reach the frozen section, or you see a split, shut off the main and get help.
Prevention
Before the next cold snap
Metro Vancouver's coldest spells usually come between December and February, often with Arctic outflow winds. Many homes here aren't built for long freezes, so pipes in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls are most at risk.
- Find your main shut-off now, and check that it turns.
- Disconnect garden hoses. Shut off and drain outdoor taps from the indoor valve if you have one.
- Insulate pipes in crawl spaces, garages and exterior walls.
- During a cold snap, open sink cabinets on exterior walls and let a tap drip.
- Keep the heat on when you travel — don't let the home drop below about 12 °C.
- Replace old braided supply lines; if your home has Poly-B, have a plumber look at it.
- Consider leak sensors or an automatic shut-off valve near the water heater and washer.
FAQ
Burst pipe questions
How much damage can a burst pipe do in an hour?
A lot. Water spreads across floors and wicks into drywall, baseboards and subfloors within minutes, and can travel into the floor below. The sooner the water is shut off and extracted, the more can be dried and saved instead of replaced.
Do I need a plumber or a restoration company?
Usually both. A plumber repairs the pipe. A restoration company removes the water, dries the structure with dehumidifiers and air movers, checks for hidden moisture and repairs the damage. With the water shut off, we can start on the cleanup while the pipe is being fixed.
Can I dry it myself with fans?
A small amount of clean water on a hard floor, caught right away, often can be. If water soaked into carpet, got under flooring, into the walls or the floor below, fans alone usually leave moisture behind. We measure moisture and only stop when materials are dry.
Should I turn off the water heater?
If the main is off for more than a short time, yes: switch off the breaker for an electric tank, or set a gas tank to pilot or vacation. Turn it back on only after the water is restored and the tank has refilled.
How quickly can you get here?
We're available 24/7, 365 days. Typical arrival in Metro Vancouver is about 90 minutes; it may vary by location and conditions. The assessment is free.
How we help
From the first bucket to the last coat of paint
One team handles the whole job, so you're not coordinating several contractors.
Pipe burst? Get help now.
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