The first minutes
- Shut the main, usually near the meter at floor level facing the road.
- Open a basement tap to drain pressure from the system.
- Stay away from wet receptacles and the breaker panel; an electrician may be needed.
- Move belongings and start removing water.
Unsure where yours hides? Locating the valve walks through the usual hiding places.
Why pipes burst here
Most bursts we see happen in winter, in pipes that run along outside walls, over garages, or to outdoor taps. Water freezes, expands and splits copper lengthwise, often leaving a clean seam that only leaks once the ice thaws. Other causes are failing braided hoses on washers and sinks, pinholes in older copper, and fittings stressed by renovation work.
| Location | Common reason |
|---|---|
| Wall over the garage | Thin insulation and cold air leaks |
| Hose bib line | Not drained before frost |
| Laundry room | Washer hose failure |
| Basement ceiling | Pinhole corrosion in old copper |
The visit, in order
- 1
Close the main valve and crack the laundry tub tap so the lines bleed down.
- 2
Open drywall or ceiling only where the meter and stains point.
- 3
Cut back to sound pipe and join new copper or PEX with proper fittings.
- 4
Restore pressure slowly, check the joint, then leave the opening dry before patching.
How we repair it
We open just enough drywall to reach sound pipe on both sides of the damage. On copper we saw past the swollen seam and splice in a fresh length with sweated or pressed couplings. PEX is cut back and rejoined with crimp or expansion fittings. Once joined, we restore the water slowly, bleed air from the fixtures and watch the repair under full pressure.
After the repair
We explain why it happened and what would stop it happening again, whether that is insulation, sealing a draft, or rerouting a line inside the heated envelope. For water on floors and in walls, a restoration company and your insurer are the next calls. Read frozen pipe prevention before next winter.
Markham note: village-core houses tend to hide cast iron and galvanized behind plaster, while Cornell and Box Grove builds run PEX to a manifold. We ask the year your house was built so the right fittings ride along on the truck.
Straight from the phone log
Can you repair the pipe without opening the wall?
Rarely. We need to see and reach the damaged section. We keep the opening as small as practical.
Does home insurance pay for this?
Coverage differs from policy to policy, so take pictures and phone the insurer the same day.
Ready to get it fixed?
One call, a clear explanation, and work finished tidily before we leave.