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Field guide for Burlington owners

What to Do When a Pipe Bursts

Split pipes dump water quickly. The first few minutes decide how much damage you deal with afterward.

  • Steps you can safely take yourself
  • What it looks like in Burlington houses
  • When to put the wrench down and phone us
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The short answer

Close the main shut-off, cut power to wet areas, open the lowest tap to drain lines, and call a plumber.

Key point

Split pipes dump water quickly.

Working through it

  1. Close the main. Typically by the meter, low on the street-facing wall.
  2. Turn off electricity to any area where water reaches outlets or fixtures, provided you can get to the panel without wading.
  3. Open taps on the lowest floor to drain pressure.
  4. Turn off the water heater if the leak is large.
  5. Move valuables and start removing water.
  6. Photograph damage for insurance.
  7. Call a plumber and your insurer.
Know before: find and test your main shut-off now. The valve-finding note helps.

Have this ready when you call

  • Which fixture, which floor
  • Whether the main is closed
  • Rough age of the house and heater
  • Any past floods or drain work

Time to bring in the trade

Immediately. See burst pipe repair and emergency plumber.

First move in a leak

Close the main shut-off, open a low tap to drain pressure, then call (365) 464-5184.

After the water is off

Once the flow has stopped, the clock shifts to drying. Wet drywall and insulation can grow mould within a couple of days, so start pulling water out quickly with a wet vacuum, mops and towels. Open windows if the weather allows, run fans and set up a dehumidifier. Lift area rugs and move furniture off wet carpet; place aluminium foil or blocks under furniture legs to prevent staining.

For your insurer

  • Photograph and video every wet area before moving things.
  • Keep the damaged section of pipe if the plumber removes it.
  • Keep receipts for emergency purchases such as fans or dehumidifiers.
  • Ask whether your policy requires a specific restoration company.

Before the next cold snap

Ask the plumber why the pipe burst. If it froze, the answer may be insulation, moving a run inboard from an exterior wall, or sealing a gap where cold air reaches the pipe. If it corroded, the rest of that pipe may be close behind. Our guide to winterizing plumbing and the frozen pipe page cover prevention.

Burlington specifics

Burst pipes peak during cold snaps, especially in split-levels with rooms over garages and in rural homes north of the Escarpment.

Questions we hear

Can I use the house after a burst?

Once the water is off and the area is safe, yes. Restore water only after repair.

How do I dry out walls?

Remove wet insulation and drywall, and use fans and dehumidifiers. Large losses need a restoration company.

Call now(365) 464-5184