Frozen or Burst Pipe? What to Do Now

If a pipe has burst

Stop the water first.

Don't wait for the plumber to arrive before shutting off the water. Every minute of running water adds to the damage.

Don't touch gas controls you don't know. If you smell gas, leave and call FortisBC.

Shut off the main water valve, or the shutoff for that pipe if you know it.Keep people away from water near outlets, panels and appliances. If water is reaching electrical equipment, stay out and call.Open the cold taps on the lowest floor to drain the water left in the pipes.Move what you can out of the water and take photos for your insurance.Call us. Emergency calls are usually on site within 1–2 hours across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

If a tap stopped working

Signs a pipe is frozen.

No water, or just a trickleOne tap stops working in cold weather while others still run. The frozen part is usually on a pipe near an outside wall or in a cold space.

Frost or a bulge on the pipeYou can see frost on an exposed pipe, or the pipe looks swollen. A bulge can mean it has already split.

Strange sounds or smellsGurgling or banging when you open a tap, or a drain smell, can mean ice is blocking the line.

Thaw it slowly and safely.

Open the tap the pipe feeds so melting water has somewhere to go. Then warm the pipe gently, starting at the tap and working back.

Use a hair dryer, a heating pad or warm towels. Keep space heaters well clear of anything that can burn and never leave them alone.

Never use a torch, open flame or propane heater. They can start a fire or burst the pipe.

Stay close while it thaws. If water starts dripping or spraying, shut off the main valve and call.

When to call us

Call if you can't find the frozen spot, it's inside a wall or ceiling, the pipe is split or leaking, more than one tap is out, or the water hasn't come back after a reasonable try. We can thaw the line, repair the break and look at why it froze.

In a strata building, tell your caretaker or property manager right away. Water can reach the units below before you see it.

Common questions

Will my insurance cover a burst pipe?

That depends on your policy and your insurer. Photos, the time it happened, and our written report of what we found and repaired help with a claim.

Why did my pipe freeze when the house was warm?

The pipe was probably somewhere colder than the rooms you live in, like an outside wall, a crawlspace, or a spot where cold air leaks in. We can show you where and how to protect it.

Can a frozen pipe fix itself?

It may thaw on its own when the weather warms, but if it split while frozen it will start leaking then. Keep an eye on it and be ready to shut off the water.

Water is spraying or coming through the ceiling?

Shut off the main water valve if you can do it safely, then call. A real person answers 24/7.

Already thawed and need a repair?

Tell us where the pipe is, what happened and whether the water is off. Photos help.

Frozen or burst pipes: what to do right now.