In an active plumbing emergency, protect people first. Then limit water damage if you can do so safely.
Make the area safe
Keep children and pets away from standing water, especially near outlets or electrical equipment. Do not step into water to reach a switch. If you smell gas, leave the building and follow FortisBC’s gas-leak instructions.
Stop the water if possible
Use the fixture shutoff or the home’s main shutoff if you know where it is and can reach it safely. Do not force a stuck valve. For wastewater backing up, stop using affected fixtures and avoid contact with the water.
Move belongings away from a leak and record where the water is coming from. A bucket or towel may help contain a slow drip, but it does not fix the cause.
Call with clear details
Say what is leaking or backing up, which rooms are affected, and whether the water is still running. Use our urgent plumbing guidance and call the team for an active issue.
Match the response to the problem
A clean-water leak and a wastewater backup need different precautions. For an active leak, report whether the fixture or main shutoff stopped the flow. For a backup, stop using the affected plumbing and keep people away from the wastewater. If water has reached electrical equipment, stay clear; BC flood-safety guidance warns against approaching live wires in water.
When it is safe, take a photo of the source and the affected area and note when the problem began. This helps explain the scope but should never delay moving away from danger. For a single leaking pipe, the more detailed pipe-leak guide can help. For preparation before any incident, see the household emergency checklist.