Burst and Frozen Pipe Repair in Toronto
Updated August 18, 2026
Shut off the main water valve if it is safe, then call City Rooter at (647) 534-6875. We isolate the break, restore service, and replace the damaged section. Emergency dispatch often starts around $200 plus parts. Available 24/7 Monday to Saturday, Sunday 9 AM–5 PM.
- Spraying or dripping from a burst line
- No water after a freeze
- Sudden flooding in a ceiling or basement
Licensed & WSIB · Written estimates · 24/7 Mon–Sat · Sun 9 AM–5 PM
Burst and frozen pipe repair
A burst pipe can soak a ceiling or basement in minutes. In winter, a freeze in an unheated line is a common cause. Shut off the main valve if you can reach it safely, then call (647) 534-6875.
We isolate the break, restore service, and replace the damaged section. Emergency dispatch often starts around $200 plus parts. We are available 24/7 Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM.
This is an emergency plumbing call with a specific cause. The first job is to stop the water. The second is to replace the failed section so you are not living on a shut main.
What to do in the first five minutes
The main valve is usually where the water line enters the basement. Turn it clockwise. If it will not move, stop — a seized valve can snap. Move people and pets out of the spray. Keep water away from electrical panels and outlets.
Catch what you can with a bucket or a plastic bin. Lift rugs and papers. Do not start tearing drywall to find the pipe unless the ceiling is coming down on its own. We would rather open one targeted hole than a whole room.
What not to do on a frozen pipe
Do not use an open flame. A torch on a pipe in a wall starts fires. Forced heat in a concealed cavity can also crack plastic pipe. Hair dryers on an exposed, accessible line are sometimes used by homeowners. If you cannot see the pipe, do not heat the wall.
If you cannot find the freeze or water will not move, stop and let us locate it. A line that is frozen end to end needs a controlled thaw and then an inspection for splits you cannot see yet.
How we repair the break
We shut the water if you have not, drain the line, and cut out the failed section. We replace it with the right material for the rest of the run. We restore service and check every joint we touched. If the break is on the private-side main, that becomes a water line repair, not a two-foot indoor splice.
If several sections are thin or already pinholed, we will say a longer replacement is the honest job. Patching one burst on a dying run is how you get a second flood next month.
Why pipes burst in Toronto winters
Unheated rooms, crawl spaces, and lines in exterior walls freeze when the house is empty or the heat is set too low. A hose bib that was not shut off and drained will split. A vacant house in January is a common call.
Prevention is dull and it works: heat the space, drip a tap on the coldest nights if a line is known to be exposed, and shut outdoor taps before freeze-up. If a pipe has already burst, prevention is next year’s job. Tonight is isolation and repair.
Cost and when to call
Emergency dispatch often starts around $200 plus parts. Typical hourly rates are $120 to $190. After-hours sits at the high end. A short accessible repair is not the same invoice as a ceiling full of water and a failed main.
Call (647) 534-6875 now if water is spraying or a frozen line will not open. See emergency plumbing for other after-hours failures, and leak detection if the water is hidden but the bill or the stain says it is there.
After the water is off
Once the main is shut, the flood stops growing. That is the win. We still need to replace the split section and look for a second freeze on the same run. One burst in an unheated bathroom often means the neighbouring line is next.
If the break is on the private-side service under the lawn, indoor splicing will not fix it. That is a water line replacement. We will say so at the curb, not after we have opened a wall for no reason.
Keep heat on in vacant houses. Shut and drain outdoor taps before freeze-up. Those two habits prevent most of the January calls we take. If the pipe has already split, call and we will isolate and repair.
Insurance and the cleanup
Stop the water first. Photograph the damage. We repair the pipe. Drying and drywall are often a separate restoration crew. We will tell you when the plumbing is stable so that work can start.
Need burst pipe repair in Toronto?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.
Reviews
Only 5-star reviews from GTA homeowners
★★★★★
Alex and his team replaced our main drain and broken pipes. He provided great service and workmanship, at reasonable prices. Highly recommend.
★★★★★
City Rooter installed a new waterline from the edge of the property into my basement. Alex worked with me to get the best solution possible, gave a very good price, and left everything neat and tidy.
★★★★★
They saved us from a major plumbing disaster. Tree roots clogged the drain. The team snaked the line, excavated, replaced the damaged pipe, and installed a cleanout. Professional, efficient, and fair.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Shut off the main water valve if you can reach it safely. Keep people away from the spray and from electrical outlets near the water. Then call City Rooter at (647) 534-6875. We isolate the break, replace the damaged section, and restore service. Emergency dispatch often starts around $200 plus parts.
Can a frozen pipe burst when it thaws?
Yes. Ice can split the pipe. The flood often starts when the line thaws and water finds the crack. If a line is frozen, do not use an open flame. Call us to thaw and inspect it before it becomes a ceiling event.
How much does burst pipe repair cost?
Emergency dispatch often starts around $200 plus parts. A short accessible section is a different job from a break inside a finished ceiling or a failed private-side main. We make the house safe first, then give a written price for the repair.
Related services
Need a plumber now?
Licensed, insured, WSIB-covered technicians. We answer live and typically reply to quotes in 5–10 minutes.