Day or night, 24/7 · open 24/7
Emergency Plumber in Richmond, BCWater stopped, damage contained
Burst pipe, sewer backup or a leaking water heater? Shut off the water, then call or text our team any hour. You get a flat price before we touch a tool.
- Available 24/7
- 5.0 on Google, 47 reviews
- Upfront flat-rate pricing

What should I do in a plumbing emergency in Richmond?
Close your main water shut-off first, then turn off the water heater (gas to "pilot" or "vacation", electric at the breaker). Keep people and power cords away from standing water. Take photos for insurance. Then call or text Encano Plumbing at (604) 764-2031, any hour. If you smell gas, leave and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 from outside.
Most of the damage in a plumbing emergency happens in the first few minutes, before anyone arrives. That is why every emergency call starts the same way: we walk you through stopping the water on the phone, then we come out and fix the cause.
Encano Plumbing is a family-owned company dispatched from Richmond. We know how Lulu Island houses, townhouses and condo towers are piped, and we speak English, Portuguese and Spanish. Before any repair starts, you get an upfront, flat-rate price.
The goal on every emergency visit: make it safe, stop the damage, then fix it on the spot or leave you with a safe temporary repair and a clear plan.
Signs you need an emergency plumber now
Water spraying or pooling
A burst pipe, split hose or failed fitting. Close the main shut-off right away and call.
Sewage coming up a drain
Backup in a floor drain, tub or lowest toilet. Stop using all water in the home until it is cleared.
Toilet overflowing and not stopping
Close the small valve behind the toilet, then call.
Water heater leaking from the bottom
Often a failed tank. Turn off its power or gas and close the cold supply valve on top.
No water after a freezing night
A frozen line can split when it thaws. Leave the shut-off closed until a plumber checks it.
Smell of gas near an appliance
Do not flip switches. Leave the home and call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911 and 911 from outside.
Emergency plumbing we handle across Richmond
Every emergency visit starts with making the space safe and stopping the water. Then we find the cause and fix it.
- Burst and frozen pipe repair
- We locate the break, cut out the damaged section and replace it. We also flag Poly-B piping, common in BC homes built roughly 1985 to 1997.
- Sewer and drain backups
- We clear the blockage in the main line or branch drain and tell you whether it started on your side or the city side.
- Overflowing toilets and blocked drains
- Toilets, floor drains, kitchen and tub lines. We clear the clog and confirm the line drains properly before we leave.
- Water heater leaks and no hot water
- We shut down and drain a leaking tank safely, diagnose the problem and quote a repair or replacement upfront.
- Flooded basements and crawlspaces
- We find and stop the plumbing source of the water so drying out can start.
How an emergency call works
- 01
Call or text, any hour
Call or text (604) 764-2031. We ask what you see and walk you through closing the main shut-off and making the area safe.
- 02
We come out and assess
We give you an honest arrival window based on where we are and the roads that night. On site, we find the cause before anything else.
- 03
Flat price, then the fix
You get an upfront, flat-rate price before work starts. Once you say yes, we make the repair or a safe temporary fix.
- 04
Clean-up and next steps
We clean our work area, test the repair, and give you notes and photos for your insurer or strata if you need them.
What an emergency plumber costs in Richmond
Every emergency is different, so we do not post a fixed number. We assess the problem on site and quote a flat price before any work starts.
| What you pay for | How it is priced | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency assessment and diagnosisTime of day matters: late night, weekend and holiday calls usually cost more than a weekday visit. | Quoted upfront, in writing | Time of day matters: late night, weekend and holiday calls usually cost more than a weekday visit. |
| Burst or frozen pipe repairDepends on access (open basement wall vs. behind finished drywall or a tiled ceiling) and pipe material. | Quoted upfront, in writing | Depends on access (open basement wall vs. behind finished drywall or a tiled ceiling) and pipe material. |
| Sewer or main drain backupDepends on where the blockage is, cleanout access, and whether roots or a broken pipe are involved. | Quoted upfront, in writing | Depends on where the blockage is, cleanout access, and whether roots or a broken pipe are involved. |
| Water heater emergencyA part repair costs far less than a full tank replacement. Parts availability after hours also plays a role. | Quoted upfront, in writing | A part repair costs far less than a full tank replacement. Parts availability after hours also plays a role. |
Your exact price is quoted upfront, in writing, before any work starts. If a permanent repair needs parts we do not carry that night, we will tell you and offer a safe temporary fix first.
The assessment is free in Richmond. Outside Richmond, travel time is charged, and we quote it before we come out. If you go ahead with the work, you get a discount on that travel time. You always know the price before we go.
Plumbing emergencies on Lulu Island
Richmond sits on Lulu Island, close to sea level and behind the dikes, with a high water table. During long stretches of heavy rain, low-lying homes in areas like Steveston, Hamilton and East Richmond can see water backing up through floor drains and basement fixtures.
A lot of Richmond lives in townhouses, strata complexes and the condo towers around City Centre and the Canada Line. In a suite, the shut-off valves are often inside the unit, near the water heater, under the kitchen sink or behind an access panel. If water is reaching a neighbor below, close your valve, then notify your strata manager or building caretaker right away. We can document the cause for the claim.
Neighborhoods we work in
- Steveston
- Terra Nova
- Broadmoor
- Seafair
- Thompson
- Blundell
- Garden City
- Ironwood
- Hamilton
- East Richmond
- City Centre
- Brighouse
When emergencies spike: rainy season and cold snaps
The wet season here runs roughly October to March. Heavy, steady rain is when we see the most backups in floor drains and basements, especially in older homes with tired perimeter drains or no backwater valve.
Richmond winters are mild, so when a cold snap hits, pipes in exterior walls, garages, crawlspaces and outdoor hose bibs are the ones that freeze and split. Before a freeze, disconnect garden hoses, shut off and drain outdoor taps, and keep the heat on in rooms with plumbing. If a pipe is already frozen, close the main shut-off before it thaws and call us.
Encano Plumbing is licensed and insured for plumbing work. Gas work is done by a licensed gas fitter.
Ask us anything47 reviews on our Google profile, copied word for word.
Philipe BolzanGoogle review · a month agoAwesome service. Reliable and experienced technician. Solved the problem with my toilet in 15 minutes hassle-free
Sabrynna CaGoogle review · 2 months agoexcellent 🤩 …
Onilton MacielLocal Guide · 3 months agoEddie is amazing. He is professional and quick in resolving the issues. He has very fair prices. Highly recommend!
Pam AndrewsLocal Guide · 3 months agoGreat service. Eddie is knowledgeable and informative. Arrived very quickly and did an excellent job.
Vivian WongGoogle review · 5 months agoWe had a kitchen sink emergency Sunday night and Eddy saved the day. Showed up Monday morning as promised, stayed patient through a tricky clog, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. Price was more than fair. Highly recommend Eddy if you need a plumber you can trust. Thank you very much Eddy!
BY KGoogle review · 5 months agoReally thankful to Ed for replacing our kitchen sink and garbage disposal. The service was fast,very professional and the quality of work was excellent. Highly recommend!
John MondaniGoogle review · 6 months agoEd is great, timely, professional, friendly everything you want. Would recommend to anyone. Fair pricing and only recommends what is needed.
Luiz PortellaGoogle review · 7 months agoEddie is amazing! Great customer service and attention to details. He helped me with a leaky shower that needed a cartridge replacement and a couple of other minor repairs. 5 stars hands down. I recommend!
Eliane MirandaGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service! Ed quickly found an efficient solution to our problem without overcomplicating things. We truly appreciate his support, thank you!
Ingrid MonteiroLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The MadaFakLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing company!
alex de salesGoogle review · a year agoEd is professional, honest, and my go to plumber now.
marmotageGoogle review · a year agoEd was fantastic! He showed up on time, quickly identified the problem, and fixed it with no hassle. Very professional, friendly, and reasonably priced.
rafael francoGoogle review · a year agoI had a really good experience with this plumbing service. The team showed up on time, were friendly and professional, and paid attention to the details. They found and fixed the problem quickly, cleaned up everything after, and explained what they did in a simple way. The result was great and made me feel relaxed. I totally recommend them and would call them again if I need help!
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoCalled Ed late at night, he didn’t hesitate. Fixed the busted pipe fast and stopped a disaster. Can’t thank him enough!
Stanley LauGoogle review · a year agoEd is the best plumber ever ! Best service and company ever !
CD SincGoogle review · a year agoExcellent service. Ed found a way around a complicated problem, fixed it and explained what he was doing to me. He was friendly, courteous and professional. Thank you so much!!
rachel lemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is very experienced and very responsive, I highly recommend this company
Hirtonio AndradeLocal Guide · a year agoAmazing service! Encano Plumbing & Drainage Ltd was super fast, professional, and paid great attention to detail. From the first call to the end of the job, they were friendly, clear, and easy to deal with. They showed up on time, gave a fair quote, and the work was done really well. I’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a plumber they can trust. One of the best service experiences I’ve had here in Canada!
Antonio mussiGoogle review · a year agoEd provides exceptional plumbing services! He combines expertise with a consistently friendly and transparent approach. Every time I’ve needed assistance, Ed has delivered prompt, reliable solutions, often going above and beyond by offering clear, practical advice to help prevent future issues. His dedication to customer satisfaction and proactive communication truly sets him apart. Highly recommended without hesitation!
Ivan LeungGoogle review · 2 months agoGreat work. Used for commercial and personal property. Met quotes and was available to bring in other trades when necessary to complete jobs efficiently.
gustavo de almeida françaGoogle review · 2 months agoEddie is super friendly, helpful, and transparent! Always making sure his clients understand what needs to be done and how much it will cost ahead of time.
Cris ReisLocal Guide · 3 months agoMr. Eddie, as always when we need him, performs the work quickly, accurately, and with great competence. The best one!
Flavio TruzziLocal Guide · 4 months agoI can't recommend Encano Plumbing & Drain enough! They came to replace my dishwasher and immediately ran into a problem left behind by the previous installers, a metal piece that had been incorrectly fitted and was completely blocking access to remove the old unit. Rather than giving up or charging me extra to come back another day, Ed handled it on the spot, cutting through the obstruction efficiently and professionally. What really stood out was how thorough and tidy he was throughout the whole job. He kept the work area clean, and didn't leave me with a mess to deal with, which honestly isn't always a given. On top of that, he went out of his way to help me get rid of the old dishwasher, which saved me a huge headache. This is exactly the kind of tradesperson you want: calm under pressure, resourceful when things don't go to plan, and genuinely helpful beyond just the bare minimum.
Makoto TaniguchiGoogle review · 5 months agoEddie was friendly, gave me a good quote, came in early and explained the tasks prior to starting and did an excellent job. Highly recommended.
Larissa RodriguesGoogle review · 6 months agoEddie is very responsible! Best plumber in Vancouver area. I called him due to an emergency and he stopped by at the same day. I highly recommend him. 10/10
Talitha NobregaGoogle review · 6 months agoSecond time using Encano Company, and Ed was amazing once again! He’s reliable, professional, and gets the job done quickly. Really appreciate the great service highly recommend!
Celine YinGoogle review · 9 months agoVery responsive, on-time and excellent service. Ed is very professional and knowledgeable. He helped us with installation of new hot water tank, garburator, dishwasher, washers/dryers, toilets and removal of the old ones. He also handled any other plumbing concerns we’ve got. He can do them all. Would highly recommend!
Nelson JrGoogle review · a year agoThe best , better than I expected.
Karri LamGoogle review · a year agoThis is a good company 👍👍nice staff, good service, recommend! …
Robson MacielGoogle review · a year agoExcellent professionals, they resolved everything perfectly, clean, fast and hassle-free work!
Celine YinLocal Guide · a year agoExcellent workmanship, quick response time and reasonable pricing! Would highly recommend.
Ana CeciliaGoogle review · a year agoSuper reliable and professional, I wouldn’t hesitate to call Ed again.
Leonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoAlways reliable.
Ming LauGoogle review · a year agoAmazing company to work with and Eddie is Great . If you want great a Plumbing company , choose them !!!
DezzaGoogle review · a year agoDedicated service. 10/10 recommend.
Lucas J. SantosGoogle review · a year agoEddie is an excellent professional, always committed to delivering the best service. Thank you for meeting him!
Frederico LemosGoogle review · a year agoEd is a professional who updates himself in his work area and skillfly manages the service and its challenges.
Jay TeeLocal Guide · a year agoGreat service! Eddie provided great customer service.
Trendfashions VTGoogle review · 5 years agoEddie had to re-pipe my entire house due to faulty piping. It was a major job. He advised me to install many safety features too, as well as a new shower tower. I would highly recommend him, not only is he knowledgable but pleasant and professional. You are in good hands with canada place plumbing.
Emergency Plumber questions
Straight answers. If yours is not here, text it to us.
Open now · 24 hours, 7 days
Pipe burst at 2 a.m.? Call or text. We pick up.
Shut the main water valve if you can, then call or text. The Encano team answers 24/7 and tells you what happens next, including the price, before anyone touches a tool.
Get your emergency plumber price
Tell us what is going on. We reply with next steps and a time, and the price is agreed before any work starts.
