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Open 24/7 for no heat, leaks and backups

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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
Copper water lines with red shut-off valves on a basement wall

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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 forHow it is priced
Emergency assessment and diagnosisTime of day matters: late night, weekend and holiday calls usually cost more than a weekday visit.Quoted upfront, in writing
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
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
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

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 anything

47 reviews on our Google profile, copied word for word.

5.047 Google reviews(opens our Google profile in a new tab)
  • Philipe Bolzan Google profile photoPhilipe BolzanGoogle review · a month agoGoogle review
    Awesome service. Reliable and experienced technician. Solved the problem with my toilet in 15 minutes hassle-free
  • Sabrynna Ca Google profile photoSabrynna CaGoogle review · 2 months agoGoogle review
    excellent 🤩 …
  • Onilton Maciel Google profile photoOnilton MacielLocal Guide · 3 months agoGoogle review
    Eddie is amazing. He is professional and quick in resolving the issues. He has very fair prices. Highly recommend!
  • Pam Andrews Google profile photoPam AndrewsLocal Guide · 3 months agoGoogle review
    Great service. Eddie is knowledgeable and informative. Arrived very quickly and did an excellent job.
  • Vivian Wong Google profile photoVivian WongGoogle review · 5 months agoGoogle review
    We 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 K Google profile photoBY KGoogle review · 5 months agoGoogle review
    Really 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 Mondani Google profile photoJohn MondaniGoogle review · 6 months agoGoogle review
    Ed is great, timely, professional, friendly everything you want. Would recommend to anyone. Fair pricing and only recommends what is needed.
  • Luiz Portella Google profile photoLuiz PortellaGoogle review · 7 months agoGoogle review
    Eddie 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 Miranda Google profile photoEliane MirandaGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Excellent service! Ed quickly found an efficient solution to our problem without overcomplicating things. We truly appreciate his support, thank you!
  • Ingrid Monteiro Google profile photoIngrid MonteiroLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Amazing company ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • The MadaFak Google profile photoThe MadaFakLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Amazing company!
  • alex de sales Google profile photoalex de salesGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed is professional, honest, and my go to plumber now.
  • marmotage Google profile photomarmotageGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed was fantastic! He showed up on time, quickly identified the problem, and fixed it with no hassle. Very professional, friendly, and reasonably priced.
  • rafael franco Google profile photorafael francoGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    I 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 Sbardelotto Google profile photoLeonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Called Ed late at night, he didn’t hesitate. Fixed the busted pipe fast and stopped a disaster. Can’t thank him enough!
  • Stanley Lau Google profile photoStanley LauGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed is the best plumber ever ! Best service and company ever !
  • CD Sinc Google profile photoCD SincGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Excellent 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 lemos Google profile photorachel lemosGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed is very experienced and very responsive, I highly recommend this company
  • Hirtonio Andrade Google profile photoHirtonio AndradeLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Amazing 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 mussi Google profile photoAntonio mussiGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed 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 Leung Google profile photoIvan LeungGoogle review · 2 months agoGoogle review
    Great 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 frança Google profile photogustavo de almeida françaGoogle review · 2 months agoGoogle review
    Eddie 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 Reis Google profile photoCris ReisLocal Guide · 3 months agoGoogle review
    Mr. Eddie, as always when we need him, performs the work quickly, accurately, and with great competence. The best one!
  • Flavio Truzzi Google profile photoFlavio TruzziLocal Guide · 4 months agoGoogle review
    I 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 Taniguchi Google profile photoMakoto TaniguchiGoogle review · 5 months agoGoogle review
    Eddie 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 Rodrigues Google profile photoLarissa RodriguesGoogle review · 6 months agoGoogle review
    Eddie 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 Nobrega Google profile photoTalitha NobregaGoogle review · 6 months agoGoogle review
    Second 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 Yin Google profile photoCeline YinGoogle review · 9 months agoGoogle review
    Very 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 Jr Google profile photoNelson JrGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    The best , better than I expected.
  • Karri Lam Google profile photoKarri LamGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    This is a good company 👍👍nice staff, good service, recommend! …
  • Robson Maciel Google profile photoRobson MacielGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Excellent professionals, they resolved everything perfectly, clean, fast and hassle-free work!
  • Celine Yin Google profile photoCeline YinLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Excellent workmanship, quick response time and reasonable pricing! Would highly recommend.
  • Ana Cecilia Google profile photoAna CeciliaGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Super reliable and professional, I wouldn’t hesitate to call Ed again.
  • Leonardo Sbardelotto Google profile photoLeonardo SbardelottoLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Always reliable.
  • Ming Lau Google profile photoMing LauGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Amazing company to work with and Eddie is Great . If you want great a Plumbing company , choose them !!!
  • Dezza Google profile photoDezzaGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Dedicated service. 10/10 recommend.
  • Lucas J. Santos Google profile photoLucas J. SantosGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Eddie is an excellent professional, always committed to delivering the best service. Thank you for meeting him!
  • Frederico Lemos Google profile photoFrederico LemosGoogle review · a year agoGoogle review
    Ed is a professional who updates himself in his work area and skillfly manages the service and its challenges.
  • Jay Tee Google profile photoJay TeeLocal Guide · a year agoGoogle review
    Great service! Eddie provided great customer service.
  • Trendfashions VT Google profile photoTrendfashions VTGoogle review · 5 years agoGoogle review
    Eddie 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.

Yes. Encano Plumbing takes emergency calls and texts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays, at (604) 764-2031. When you reach us, we first help you close your main shut-off and make the area safe over the phone. Then we give you an honest arrival window based on where our crew is and the roads that night, instead of a promise we cannot keep.
In most detached Richmond homes, the main shut-off is where the water line enters the house, often in the garage, a utility room, the crawlspace or near the water heater. There is also a city valve at the property line, usually in a small box near the sidewalk. If you cannot find or turn your valve, call us and we will talk you through it.
It depends on the problem, the time of day, how easy it is to reach the pipe and what parts are needed. That is why we do not post one number. We assess on site and give you an upfront, flat-rate price in writing before any work starts. If you do not want to go ahead, you are not locked into anything.
Stop the water first. Most suites have their own shut-off inside the unit, near the water heater, under a sink or behind an access panel. Then notify your strata manager or building caretaker, especially if water is reaching another unit. You can call us directly for the repair inside your suite. We can also give you photos and notes on the cause to share with your strata and insurer.
Stop using water in the house right away, including toilets, showers, the dishwasher and laundry, because anything you drain can come back up. Keep people and pets away from the water and do not touch it with bare hands. Take photos for insurance, then call or text us. We clear the line and help you figure out whether the blockage is on your property or the city side.
Turn it off first. For a gas tank, set the gas control to "pilot" or "vacation". For an electric tank, switch it off at the breaker. Then close the cold water valve on top of the tank. A small drip at a fitting can sometimes wait until morning, but water leaking from the bottom of the tank usually means it has failed and should be checked the same day.
Leave the home right away with everyone inside. Do not flip light switches, use your phone indoors or try to find the leak. From outside, call FortisBC’s 24-hour emergency line at 1-800-663-9911 and 911. Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm. Once the gas utility has made the home safe, we can help with the plumbing side of the repair.

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.

Call or text (604) 764-2031

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.

Request an estimate

Tell us about your project and we will get back to you quickly. You know the price before we come out.

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