Emergency plumber service calls in Montreal

Which signs call for a service call?

Some signals are unmistakable: an active leak under a sink, water seeping through a ceiling, a water heater leaking onto the floor, or a toilet that backs up instead of draining. In these cases, every hour that passes adds to the damage and the repair bill, especially if the water reaches a wall, a hardwood floor or electrical installations.

Other signs are more subtle but just as serious: a drop in water pressure throughout the house, a sewer smell that keeps coming back even after cleaning, or several drains running slowly at the same time. That last one usually points to a problem further down the line, not just at the fixture where the symptom shows up.

What causes most service calls in Montreal

Montreal's housing stock has its own quirks, and they explain a good share of the calls we get. In older neighbourhoods, cast-iron piping installed decades ago eventually corrodes from the inside or gives way at a joint, especially if it has never been inspected. Some properties also still have a lead water service line, an issue the City is addressing gradually, but which often remains the owner's responsibility for the portion on private property.

Winter brings its own problems: a poorly insulated line that freezes, whether in a crawl space, a garage or an outdoor entry, can cut off water to an entire house within a few hours. Tree roots working their way into an older lateral drain, and sewer backups during heavy rain when the municipal system is overloaded, round out the most common causes.

How a service call works

The call starts with a description of the problem: what is leaking, where, since when, and whether the water is still on. That information lets us gauge how urgent it is before we even head out, and arrive with the right equipment instead of making a first exploratory visit.

On site, the plumber confirms the diagnosis, explains the possible options before starting the work, then gets to it. Once the problem is fixed, the plumber checks that everything works normally — pressure, drainage, no remaining leak — before leaving.

Emergency or work that can be scheduled?

An emergency is active water damage, a sewer backup inside the house, no hot water at all in the middle of winter, or a freeze that cuts off the whole supply. These are situations that cannot wait for the next business day without making the damage worse.

Other needs can be scheduled without any problem: installing a new faucet, replacing an ageing water heater that still works, or a preventive inspection before buying a property. The line is not always obvious over the phone — it is perfectly normal to ask for an opinion before deciding whether it can wait.

City or owner: who is responsible?

The connection between your house and the municipal system — whether the water service line or the sanitary drain — generally belongs to the owner up to the property line or up to the manhole, depending on the case. Past that point, the portion under the street is the City's. In the event of a backup or a leak, you first need to pinpoint exactly where the problem is before knowing whose job it is to fix it — a camera inspection often settles that quickly.

Frequently asked questions