Stop the water, then stop the damage
A burst pipe or an overflowing fixture can release a startling amount of water in a very short time. What you do in the first few minutes often matters more than anything that happens after the plumber arrives. Work through the steps below in order. They are safe for any homeowner to perform, and none of them require special tools.
Shut off the main water valve
This is the single most important step. The main shut-off valve is usually located where the water line enters your home, often in the basement near the front foundation wall or beside the water meter. Turn it clockwise until it stops. Every adult in the house should know where this valve is before an emergency happens.
Turn off the water heater
With the water supply off, the tank can overheat or its heating element can burn out. Switch the water heater to its off setting, or turn off the power at the breaker for an electric unit. If you are not sure how, just mention it when you call us and we will talk you through it.
Drain the remaining water
Open the cold taps on the lowest floor of the house, then open the taps upstairs. This releases the water trapped in the pipes so a burst line stops leaking almost immediately. Flush each toilet once to empty the tank.
Contain the leak
Buckets, towels and old blankets can hold a surprising amount of water. Move rugs, boxes and furniture away from the wet area. If water is dripping from the ceiling, punch a small hole in the bulge to let it drain in one controlled spot instead of collapsing the drywall.
Keep water away from electricity
If water is near outlets, baseboard heaters or your electrical panel, stay out of the standing water and shut off power to that area at the breaker if you can reach it safely. Never touch electrical panels or appliances while standing in water.
Document the damage
Once the immediate danger is handled, take photos of the affected areas for your insurance claim. Photograph the source of the leak if you can see it, along with any damaged floors, walls or belongings. Most homeowner policies cover sudden plumbing failures, but they expect evidence.
Call Bremner's, any hour
Call (902) 453-4800. Outside business hours your call goes to our answering service, which passes your details straight to the on-call plumber. We will confirm the situation on the phone and get a licensed plumber to your door as quickly as possible.
When to call instead of waiting
Some situations should never wait for business hours. Call us right away if water is actively leaking and you cannot stop it, if sewage is coming up through a drain, if a pipe has frozen or split, or if you have no water at all. A single slow drain or a dripping tap can usually wait for a scheduled visit.
Not sure which category you are in? Our 24/7 emergency plumbing page explains what counts as an emergency and exactly how our after-hours answering service works.
One prevention tip worth acting on today: find your main water shut-off valve and make sure it turns freely. A valve that has not been moved in years can seize, and the middle of an emergency is the worst time to discover that. Show everyone in the household where it is.
We are ready when you need us
Bremner's Plumbing & Heating has answered Halifax's emergency calls for over a century, with licensed journeymen plumbers on staff and 24-hour response, 365 days a year. Save our number in your phone now, so the solution is one tap away when something goes wrong.