Our Work · Emergencies

Burst Pipe Repair in Newmarket

A burst pipe turns a quiet evening into a race against the clock. Shut the main, then call; we handle the rest.

Leak traced to its source before any drywall is cut
Copper, PEX, Poly-B and galvanized repaired on the spot
Smallest possible opening, cut clean for patching
Pressure held and meter dial checked after the fix

Cues for burst pipe repair

Water spraying or pouring from a wall, ceiling or basement joist bay.
A sudden drop in pressure everywhere in the house.
A bulging ceiling or a damp stain that grows while you watch.
A hiss of moving water with every faucet closed.

Some bursts are quiet. A split pipe in an exterior wall may not leak until it thaws, which is why the damage often shows up the morning after a cold snap.

Pipe repair job sheet

Tools on the truck: Tube cutters, torch and solder, crimp and press tools, moisture meter, thermal camera
Materials we meet: Copper type M and L, galvanized steel, Poly-B, PEX, CPVC and the odd lead service line
What we open: The smallest drywall square that reaches the joint, cut clean so it patches easily
How we prove it: Pressure on, every joint wiped dry and watched, meter dial checked for creep

What fails inside the pipe, and why

January nights here routinely fall well below freezing, and pipes in exterior walls, over garages and in crawlspaces feel it first. Water expands as it freezes and the pressure builds between the ice and a closed tap until the copper splits. Older homes may still carry galvanized steel that rusts from the inside, or early plastic lines that crack at fittings; our primer on polybutylene and galvanized pipe explains how to spot them. Rural properties just north in East Gwillimbury add another risk: cottages and outbuildings left with water in the lines.

On the job: tools, parts and steps

You shut the main valve. If you cannot find it, we will walk you through it on the phone.
We open the area, find the split and look along the run for other weak spots from the same freeze.
The damaged section is cut out and replaced with new copper or PEX, joined with proper fittings.
Water is restored slowly, joints checked under pressure, and we talk about why it froze so it does not happen twice.

What decides how big the job gets

Access is the biggest factor. A split in an open basement ceiling is straightforward; one buried behind tile or inside a finished wall takes longer. The pipe material, how many sections failed, and whether we arrive after hours all play a part. Drywall and flooring repair are separate trades, and we will say so plainly.

Pipes that tend to go first

In our experience the usual suspects are the line to a kitchen sink on an outside wall, supply runs above an attached garage, and the short stub feeding an outdoor tap. Laundry rooms built into former porches are another favourite. Knowing where yours run tells you where to look first when pressure suddenly drops.

Shut it off and call, or book it?

Do not wait. Water keeps travelling through floors and into insulation long after you see it. Call (365) 517-0623 as soon as the main is closed. If the pipe is frozen but has not split yet, frozen pipe thawing may save you the repair. Leaks in other places, such as a cracked tank on a toilet, are covered under toilet repair.

Asked on site

Should I take photos for insurance?

Yes. Photograph the damage and the failed pipe before cleanup, and keep the cut-out section if your insurer asks for it.

Will a space heater thaw a frozen pipe safely?

It can help if kept well away from anything flammable and never left alone. Never use an open flame on a pipe.

Is PEX as good as copper for the fix?

For most indoor repairs, yes. It handles freezing better than copper and is quick to install. We match what suits the run.