Shut off the water if it is safe
Close the local valve or main water shutoff if you know which one to use and can reach it safely.
VISIBLE, HIDDEN OR SUSPECTED LEAK
Stop the flow, find the source and authorize the right repair
A water leak may originate from a pressurized pipe, fitting, valve, plumbing fixture, water heater or drain. Visible water shows where it is emerging, not necessarily where the defect is located.
SOS Plombiers receives leak-repair requests throughout Greater Montreal and attempts to direct them to a partner company based on the address, building type, symptom and local availability.
Indicate whether the water is still flowing, whether the valve is accessible, whether several units are affected and whether the water is approaching outlets, appliances or the electrical panel.
THE FIRST FEW MINUTES
Four cautious steps before the partner arrives
Stay away from electrical hazards
Do not walk through water to reach the panel. If water touches an electrical system, keep your distance and seek appropriate emergency assistance.
Limit the spread
Move vulnerable belongings and use containers or towels only if you can do so without exposing yourself to danger.
Document before moving anything
Take photos and note the time, fixtures used and affected units; these details can help with the diagnosis and insurance claim.
For guidance related to water and electricity, also consult Hydro-Québec’s recommendations.
HIDDEN OR INTERMITTENT LEAK
Clues to connect with when the water appears
A ceiling stain alone does not confirm a punctured pipe. Water can travel along a joist, pipe or joint before becoming visible. The timing helps distinguish a continuous supply-line leak from a drainage problem that appears only when a fixture is used.
- Sound of running water when everything is off: a pressurized pipe or valve may be involved.
- Water only during a shower or drainage: the drain, joint or seal around the fixture should be checked.
- Swollen baseboard, blistering paint or persistent odour: moisture may be hidden behind a finished surface.
- Water meter that continues moving: note the result without dismantling the installation and report it to the professional.
THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS STARTS WITH THE RIGHT SYSTEM
Where the water appears, when it flows and which service applies
This guide does not replace an on-site inspection. Its main purpose is to help describe the request clearly and avoid treating every presence of water as the same problem.
| Observed symptom | Items to check | Useful direction |
|---|---|---|
| Water under a sink, washbasin or near a toilet | Flexible connector, valve, fitting, trap, seal, tank or base | Local repair; also see toilets and faucets. |
| Water around a tank or its connections | Tank, relief valve, drain, supply connections and condensation | Water heater diagnosis before choosing repair or replacement. |
| Cracked pipe after a cold spell | Frozen section, rupture, valve and nearby sections | See the frozen-pipe thawing and repair service. |
| Moisture near the water service line or reduced pressure | Main valve, fitting, private pipe and property line | Inspection of the main water service line. |
| Dirty water, sewer odour or water returning through a fixture | Drainage, obstruction, shared pipe or sewer backup | This is not a supply-line leak; describe the point where the water is returning precisely. |
| Inaccessible flow associated with a drain | Drainage pipe, obstruction or visible defect | A camera inspection may be appropriate if the drain is genuinely suspected. |
FROM THE FIRST CALL TO THE FINAL TEST
A useful repair depends on a clearly authorized scope
Qualification
SOS Plombiers gathers the address, building type, flow rate, visible location and urgency of the situation.
Confirmation
The partner company confirms its availability, estimated response time, service-call charge and terms before the service call.
Location
The professional checks accessible fixtures, valves, fittings and pipes, then determines whether a targeted opening or test is required.
Authorization
The probable cause, proposed work, price and limitations of the scope must be communicated before non-urgent work is performed.
Testing and documentation
After the authorized repair, ask which tests were performed and which documents, photos, parts or warranties should be kept.
PLUMBING SCOPE
Correct the source and return the system to service
- isolate the affected pipe or fixture;
- replace a defective fitting, valve or section;
- test the repair and check for any apparent remaining flow;
- identify access limitations or additional checks that may be required.
AFTER THE PLUMBING WORK
Drying, decontamination and reconstruction are separate scopes
Repairing the pipe does not automatically dry the drywall, insulation, flooring or cabinets. Depending on the damage, a specialized company may need to measure moisture, remove materials, dry the area or rebuild it.
Your insurer decides what is covered. Before authorizing non-urgent work, ask which documents and approvals are required.
PRICE TO CONFIRM BEFORE THE WORK
Why two leaks visible in the same place can cost very different amounts
The price does not depend only on the time spent replacing a part. Access, source detection, timing of the call, materials, testing and related work all affect the scope.
To compare the market, some companies publish a plumbing service pricing guide or their own pricing terms. These pages are external references: only the assigned partner and the estimate applicable to your address confirm the actual amount.
AccessVisible pipe, ceiling, finished wall, slab or confined space.
UrgencyEvening, overnight, weekend or temporary measure before the complete repair.
DiagnosisObvious cause, intermittent leak, pressure test or exploratory opening.
MaterialsType of pipe, valve, fitting, specialty part and compatibility with the existing system.
RestorationOpening, site protection, drying and reconstruction are not always included.
BuildingShared shutoff, access to another unit, condominium or coordination with a property manager.
LOCAL CONDITIONS IN GREATER MONTREAL
A leak in a plex, condominium or detached house is not coordinated the same way
In a multi-unit building, the source may be located in a different unit from where the water appears. Identify the property manager, shared valve, affected occupants and access rules before the appointment whenever possible.
Montréal and the West Island
Plexes, condominiums, commercial spaces and houses where access may depend on several occupants.
Laval and the North Shore
Houses, rental buildings and pipes exposed to freezing in unheated spaces or exterior walls.
Longueuil and the South Shore
Residential, multi-unit and commercial properties where response time depends on the address and partner availability.
INSURANCE FILE AND FOLLOW-UP
Request verifiable facts, not a promise of coverage
The insurer, not the plumber or SOS Plombiers, decides whether damage is covered. The professional can, however, describe the observed source, authorized repair and replaced parts.
Before accepting the scope, ask for the legal name of the assigned company and verify its status in the CMMTQ member directory.
Before: photos, discovery time, fixtures used and affected areas.
During: observed cause, opened access, temporary measure and authorized work.
After: detailed invoice, replaced parts, completed tests and recommendations.
To confirm: drying, reconstruction, deductible, exclusions and insurer authorizations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Water leak repair: answers before authorizing the work
What should I do immediately if a water leak is severe?
Close the local valve or main water shutoff only if you can reach it safely. If water is approaching electrical equipment, do not walk through the water to reach the panel. Keep people away, protect accessible belongings, document the situation and provide the address and flow rate during the call.
How can I tell whether the leak comes from a supply line or drain?
A supply-line leak may continue even when the fixture is not being used, while a drainage problem often appears during a shower, drainage cycle or use of a fixture. These are clues, not a definitive diagnosis; the professional must confirm the source on site.
Can a leak always be located without opening the wall or ceiling?
No. Accessible fixtures, moisture, valves and certain tests may reduce the area that must be opened, but no method guarantees an exact location without access. The company must explain why an opening is proposed and obtain your authorization.
Can a drain camera find every hidden leak?
No. A camera shows the inside of an accessible drainage pipe. It cannot see a potable-water pipe behind a wall and does not prove that the entire system is watertight. It is appropriate when the symptoms genuinely point to a drain or sewer line.
Can the repair be completed during the first visit?
Sometimes, if the source is accessible, the part is available and the scope can be authorized immediately. A hidden leak, specialty part, opening or coordination with a property manager may require an additional step. The partner confirms the scope and timing.
Does home insurance cover the damage?
Coverage depends on the policy, cause, maintenance, exclusions and insurer’s decisions. Keep photos, invoices and technical explanations, and contact the insurer before non-urgent work whenever the situation allows.
What does receiving requests 24/7 mean?
SOS Plombiers can receive and qualify a request at any time. Coverage, availability, arrival time and applicable terms are then confirmed by the assigned partner company based on the address and situation.
Who confirms the diagnosis, price and warranty?
SOS Plombiers acts as the point of contact and coordination. The assigned partner company inspects the property, confirms its diagnosis, communicates the price and terms, performs the authorized work, issues the invoice and specifies any applicable warranty.
DESCRIBE THE FLOW, LOCATION AND WHEN IT APPEARED
A better description helps direct the request to the right partner
Provide the address, building type, location where the water is visible, whether it is still flowing, affected fixtures and any water shutoff already completed.
The assigned partner confirms its availability, estimated response time, charges, diagnosis and work before the authorized service call.
CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES
Reviews related to services coordinated through the network
Reviews aggregated by TrustIndex describe individual experiences and do not guarantee the outcome, response time, price or coverage of a future service call.