1. An Active Water Leak You Cannot Stop
If water is actively flowing and you cannot stop it using a fixture shut-off valve or your home's main water valve, treat it as an emergency.
This could include:
- A burst pipe
- A broken valve that will not close
- Water spraying from a fitting or hose
- A pipe that has suddenly started leaking heavily
Water damage can spread quickly, especially when the leak is inside a wall, ceiling or finished area.
If you can safely access your main water shut-off, turn the water off while you arrange for a plumber.
If you're seeing water but cannot find where it's coming from, our water leak detection and repair service can help locate the source and determine the right repair. Hive 5's leak service specifically covers hidden pipes, fixtures and water lines.
2. Sewer Backup or Sewage Coming Into the Home
Sewage coming back through a basement floor drain, toilet, shower or bathtub needs attention.
Besides preventing you from using your plumbing normally, sewage can create a health hazard.
One detail can also help determine where the problem may be.
If the backup happens when you use water in the house, the blockage may be somewhere within your drainage system.
If sewage is backing up even when nobody in your home is using water, the problem may be outside your home or on the municipal side.
Depending on the situation, the municipality or a remediation company may also need to become involved.
Recurring backups may require a closer look at the underground line. A drain camera can help identify problems such as root intrusion, damaged pipe sections or other sewer-line issues. Learn more about our sewer and drain line services.
3. No Water Throughout the House
If your entire house suddenly loses water, first check whether there is a known municipal water outage.
If there isn't, possible causes can include:
- A main valve problem
- A frozen water line
- A burst pipe
- A damaged or collapsed water line
Losing water throughout the home is urgent because it affects basic daily use, although it may not always require a middle-of-the-night repair if there is no active leak or property damage.
If you are unsure what is causing the problem, call us and explain what is happening.
4. No Hot Water
No hot water by itself is not always a plumbing emergency.
It becomes more urgent when the water heater is:
- Actively leaking
- Causing water to spread around the tank
- Associated with a strong gas smell or another potential safety issue
If you smell gas, leave the affected area and follow the appropriate emergency procedures rather than attempting to diagnose or repair the equipment yourself.
If you simply have no hot water but there is no leak or immediate safety concern, the problem may be suitable for a regular service appointment.
5. Sump Pump Failure and Flooding Risk
A sump pump that stops working during heavy rain or snowmelt can quickly become an emergency.
If the sump pit is filling and the pump is not removing the water, your basement may be at risk of flooding.
Don't wait until water is already spreading across the basement floor to investigate the problem.
A sump pump is also one of the systems worth checking before an emergency occurs. Our guide to what's included in a full plumbing inspection explains how we inspect sump pumps, shut-off valves, supply lines and other plumbing components that can cause problems when they fail.
6. Water Coming Through a Ceiling, Wall or Floor
Water appearing where it should not be is usually a sign that something is leaking behind the finished surface.
Watch for:
- Water dripping from a ceiling
- New or expanding stains on drywall
- Water coming through flooring
- Wet areas spreading along a wall
If the water continues to spread or the staining is getting worse, damage is already occurring and the source should be investigated.
Don't assume that the place where you see the water is necessarily where the leak started. Water can travel before becoming visible.
Our leak detection and repair service is designed to help locate hidden plumbing leaks behind walls, under floors and around fixtures.
Know Where Your Main Water Shut-Off Is
One of the most useful things a homeowner can do before an emergency happens is know where the main water shut-off valve is located.
In many Vaughan and York Region homes, it can be found in the basement or mechanical area near where the main water line enters the house.
You should also know the location of shut-off valves for:
- Toilets
- Sinks
- Water heaters
- Other major plumbing fixtures
A shut-off valve only helps during an emergency if you can find it and it actually works.
This is one reason checking accessible shut-off valves is part of a whole-home plumbing inspection. Hive 5's inspection also covers the main shut-off, sump pump systems, visible plumbing components and signs of previous water damage.
What to Do Before the Emergency Plumber Arrives
If you're dealing with an active plumbing problem, a few simple steps may help limit additional damage while you're waiting for your plumber.
1. Stop the Water
If possible, close the shut-off valve for the affected fixture.
If that does not stop the water, you may need to close the home's main water shut-off.
If you cannot locate or operate the main shut-off valve, tell us when you call.
2. Keep Away From Electrical Hazards
Do not enter an area where standing water may be in contact with electrical equipment, outlets or wiring.
3. Contain the Water If It Is Safe
Use buckets or towels to help contain smaller leaks and keep water from spreading.
Do not put yourself at risk trying to control a serious leak.
4. Call Hive 5
Tell us exactly what you're seeing and what you've already done.
If the situation needs immediate attention, our 24/7 emergency plumbing service handles burst pipes, major leaks, sewer backups, flooding, frozen pipes and other urgent plumbing problems in Vaughan, Woodbridge and surrounding areas.
Call 647-535-5560
The Hive 5 Approach to Emergency Plumbing
An emergency plumbing call should not automatically mean pressure to approve unnecessary work.
Our first priority is understanding what is happening and determining what needs immediate attention.
When you call Hive 5 Plumbing & Drains, we'll tell you whether the situation appears urgent or whether it can reasonably be scheduled.
Our plumbers diagnose the problem, explain what they find and discuss the repair before work begins.
When possible, our goal is to resolve the problem during the visit. If a complete repair cannot be performed immediately, the priority becomes safely controlling the situation and explaining the next steps.
