Home emergencies happen at 2am on long weekends, not Tuesday at 10am. This Ottawa-specific 24-hour checklist tells you exactly what to do in the first hour, who to call after that, and how to document everything for your insurance claim — for the six most common Ottawa home emergencies.
Whatever the emergency, do these first: (1) Ensure life safety — evacuate if gas, fire, or structural collapse risk. (2) Shut off the source — water main, gas valve, breaker panel. (3) Document with timestamped photos and video BEFORE moving anything. (4) Call your insurance company's 24/7 claim line (record claim number). (5) Call a 24/7 licensed contractor for emergency stabilization. (6) Save all receipts (emergency supplies, hotel, food) — most policies cover ALE (Additional Living Expense).
Action: Shut off main water valve (typically in basement near front foundation wall — locate it NOW before emergency). Open all faucets to drain remaining water. Shut off electrical breakers to affected rooms. Photograph damage. Call IICRC-certified water damage restoration (24/7, response under 2 hours). Call plumber for pipe repair (separate from restoration). Most policies cover sudden burst pipes — call insurer immediately. Costs: emergency restoration $2,500-$22,000 (Category 1-2), pipe rep...
DO NOT touch the water — Category 3 sewage is grossly contaminated. Action: Avoid contact and ventilate. Shut off any electrical to affected areas. Photograph from doorway only. Call IICRC restoration (specify Category 3 — they bring PPE and HEPA equipment). Call City of Ottawa (3-1-1) to report — if main is blocked, City clears it free. Insurance: covered ONLY if you have sewer backup rider ($50-$200/yr). Apply for Ottawa Residential Protective Plumbing Program subsidy (up to $6,500) for backfl...
Brief outage (under 4 hours): wait. Extended outage (4+ hours, especially winter): Action: Verify it's not just your panel — check neighbours. Report to Hydro Ottawa (613-738-6400, 24/7). Open one or two windows briefly if temperature drops below 5C in winter (prevents pipe freeze risk in extreme cold). Keep fridge/freezer doors closed (food safe 4 hours/24 hours respectively). For 12+ hour winter outages: consider hotel if no alternative heat source. Insurance: ALE coverage typically kicks in a...
STOP — do not turn on or off any electrical switch (spark risk). Action: Evacuate immediately, leaving doors open. Do NOT use phones inside. From outside, call Enbridge emergency line (1-866-763-5427, 24/7). They respond free and will shut off gas. If exterior gas smell, also call 9-1-1. After Enbridge clears the area: call TSSA-licensed gas fitter to diagnose and repair ($245-$685 typical). Do NOT re-enter until cleared by Enbridge technician.
Action: Move belongings out of drip zone. Place buckets/towels. If ceiling sagging from water weight, poke small drainage hole with screwdriver (releases pressure to prevent collapse, drains predictably to bucket). Photograph all damage (interior + exterior with smartphone or drone). Tarp damaged roof area (or hire 24/7 roofer for emergency tarping, $385-$985). Call insurer. Schedule permanent repair within 7-14 days. Insurance: covers sudden storm/wind/hail damage; gradual leaks (poor maintenan...
Depends on emergency: water = IICRC restoration company; gas = Enbridge (1-866-763-5427); power = Hydro Ottawa (613-738-6400); sewer = restoration + 3-1-1 City of Ottawa. Always call insurance 24/7 line second, after stabilizing the immediate hazard.
Typically in the basement near the front foundation wall, where the City service line enters. Look for a brass valve on a 3/4 inch or 1 inch line with the water meter immediately upstream. Locate and tag this valve NOW — before emergency.
Sudden burst pipes: yes. Sewer backup: only with rider ($50-$200/yr). Overland flooding: only with overland endorsement. Gradual leaks: NEVER. Storm/wind/hail damage: yes (sudden). Power outage food spoilage: limited coverage (typically $500 cap). Confirm your specific policy BEFORE emergency.
Photograph everything first. Then yes, you have a legal duty to mitigate damage — remove standing water, run fans (Category 1 only), move salvageable items. Restoration arrival within 4 hours minimizes mitigation work needed.
Major red flag — reputable Ottawa 24/7 contractors invoice insurance or accept credit card payment after work begins. Emergency cash-only demands typically signal scammer chasing storm/flood victims. Verify license and insurance before signing anything.