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Burst pipe? What to do first in your Edmonton home

Water is coming from a pipe and it won't stop. Stop the water if you can do it safely, then get help.

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Call or send a request any time, day or night. Calls are answered by an automated assistant and transcribed. Calls are answered in English.

A local plumber will call you back as soon as possible. If this can't wait, call other plumbers too.

What to do right now

  1. Stay out of water near anything electrical

    If water is near outlets, cords, the panel, the furnace or the water heater, stay out of it.

    If water is above an outlet, leave the room. The Government of Alberta says to stay out until your electricity supplier confirms the power is off. EPCOR takes power emergencies in Edmonton at 780-412-4500.

  2. Burst pipe: turn off water at the main valve

    Turn off your main water valve only if you can reach it without stepping into water near anything electrical.

    EPCOR says the valve sits next to your water meter, usually in a basement utility room. There are two valves by the meter. The shut-off is the one before the meter, on the pipe coming in from the outside wall.

  3. Don't force a stuck valve

    EPCOR warns that forcing a seized valve can make the valve itself leak. If you can't stop the water, call EPCOR's Water Dispatch line at 780-412-4500. EPCOR sends a crew to turn the water off from outside, at the property line.

  4. In an apartment or condo, call the building manager

    EPCOR's advice for multi-unit buildings is to contact your building manager to shut off the water.

  5. Call your insurer

    The Insurance Bureau of Canada says most insurers take claim reports around the clock. Call yours now to start the claim.

  6. Take photos, keep receipts, start drying

    Photograph the damage before you repair or throw anything out. Keep receipts for emergency repairs and cleanup. EPCOR says to dry the area as soon as possible to avoid mould.

  7. Water reached the furnace or water heater?

    Has water reached your furnace or water heater? Don't use it until a professional checks it. Alberta's flood guidance asks for a certified technician to examine flood-damaged furnaces and water heaters before use.

  8. Get a certified plumber for the repair

    EPCOR's own advice is to contact a certified plumber to fix the problem. Pipes inside your home, and the line out to the curb stop, are the homeowner's to repair.

A red handwheel valve on top of a large insulated metal pipe.
A handwheel valve on a water pipe. The main shut-off in your house may look different.

Burst pipe in basement, wall or ceiling: what is happening

A pipe inside the house has split or come apart. Water keeps coming until the supply is shut off. EPCOR says closing the main shut-off stops water flowing into your home's plumbing.

In an Edmonton winter, frozen pipes are one cause. EPCOR says the longer a pipe stays frozen, the more likely it is to burst. See frozen pipes.

Burst pipe emergency: who to call, in order

  1. 911 if anyone is hurt, or water may be touching anything electrical and you can't get somewhere dry.
  2. Your building manager, if you live in an apartment or condo.
  3. EPCOR at 780-412-4500, if the main valve won't stop the water.
  4. Your insurer, to start the claim.
  5. A plumber for the repair.

Water pipe burst, Edmonton: what a plumber typically does

The repair itself is a plumber's job. In Alberta, plumbing is a compulsory certification trade, and the City of Edmonton says contractors need a City business licence. Ask about the price and credentials before work starts.

Whether the job needs a permit depends on the work. The City requires a plumbing permit to install or alter plumbing. It does not require one to maintain an existing system that stays in the same place.

How to prevent burst pipes in winter

EPCOR's advice for Edmonton winters:

  • Keep the house heated at normal levels, especially the basement or crawl space where the water line comes in.
  • Run your taps now and then. Even a slow drip can help prevent freezing.
  • Disconnect and turn off outdoor hose taps.

If your furnace stops working, the Insurance Bureau of Canada advises shutting off the water and draining the pipes.

Plumber, Edmonton: how this request works

Call or send the form any time, day or night. A local plumber will call you back as soon as possible. If this can't wait, call other plumbers too.

Calls are answered by an automated assistant and transcribed.

Renting? Tell your landlord or building manager now. They may have their own emergency line, and they may need to approve the work.

Questions

Is a burst pipe an emergency?

Treat it as one while water is still coming out. Shut the main valve if you can reach it dry. If you can't stop it, call EPCOR at 780-412-4500.

How do you know if you have a burst pipe?

Water pouring or dripping from a pipe, wall or ceiling is the clear sign. A hidden leak is harder to spot. EPCOR lists a sudden drop in water pressure, slow drains, water stains on walls, ceilings or floors, and a water bill that jumps.

Burst pipe in house, what to do?

Stay out of water near anything electrical. Shut the main valve beside the water meter if you can reach it dry. Then call your insurer, photograph the damage and start drying. The full steps are on this page.

Is a burst pipe covered by homeowners insurance?

It depends on your policy, so check it or ask your insurer. The Insurance Bureau of Canada says standard policies cover damage from frozen and burst pipes if the pipes are in the heated part of the home and reasonable steps were taken to keep the heat on. It also says most policies exclude that damage if the home is vacant. EPCOR notes that repairs to the water service line on your property usually aren't covered by a basic policy.

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