Quick takeaways
- Shut off the water main immediately. Every minute saves hundreds of dollars in damage.
- Cut power at the breaker if water is anywhere near outlets, panels, or fixtures.
- Open downstream taps to drain the line and relieve pressure.
- Call Kanata Plumbers — we dispatch 24/7 with sub-1-hour response across Kanata.
Step 1 — Shut off the main water valve
Every Kanata home has a main shut-off valve, usually in the basement near where the city supply enters the wall, often near the water meter. Turn it fully clockwise (right). If it's a lever-style valve, rotate it 90° to perpendicular with the pipe.
If the valve won't turn, doesn't fully stop the water, or you can't find it — call us immediately. We can also direct you over the phone to the city curb stop as a last resort.
Step 2 — Cut power if water is near electrical
If water is dripping into a ceiling fixture, near outlets, or anywhere near your electrical panel, shut the affected breakers off — or the main breaker if you're not sure which circuits are involved. Standing water plus live electrical is the most dangerous part of a burst-pipe incident.
Step 3 — Drain the lines
Open the highest faucet in the house (usually a top-floor bathroom) and the lowest (usually a basement utility sink). This drops pressure throughout the system and reduces the amount of water still flowing from the break.
Step 4 — Call us and document
Call (613) 706-2303 — we answer 24/7 and dispatch a Kanata truck within minutes. While you wait, photograph everything: the burst location, the water damage, the water meter reading. Your insurance will want this and we'll provide a written technician report.
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