HOME EMERGENCIES

Your main water supply into your home is located in your basement and is labeled with an OPUS QR Code sticker. Check that this main water valve, which comes up from your basement floor is in the on position. The “On” position would mean that the valve handle is directly inline with the service pipe and not perpendicular to the pipe.

• If the main water line is in the “on” position, and the valve at each plumbing fixture is open (valves are located at the rear of each toilet near the floor, under each sink in your kitchen/bathroom/laundry room) and you still do not have water, contact the Plumber pertaining to your community.

The main line delivering water to your home is located below grade. The main line is controlled by the water box (blue cap) in your driveway area. This blue cap can also be located on the sidewalk or front boulevard. Only the City has access to shut off your waterA special key is used to allow water to flow to your home from the municipality. The city may shut off water here when repair or testing to infrastructure is being done and will provide notice to you in this rare occasion.

Should you experience a significant leak or flooding that requires you to shut off all the water in your home, your water meter shut off is located close to the foundation wall near your furnace and labeled with an OPUS QR code sticker labeled “Water Meter (Main Water Supply)”. Should you have an issue turn the valve so it is no longer in line with the pipe. This will shut off the main water supply to your home.

Faucet, Shower, Toilet & Hose Bib Leaks

Faucet, shower or toilet leaks and clogs are not considered emergencies. All service calls related to these scenarios are subject to a fee, which is payable to the responding trade, for services rendered if found that your issue is due to a homeowner maintenance issue.

If you are experiencing a faucet, shower or toilet leaks and/or clogs, limit or turn off the flow of water to that fixture using the shut off valve. Shut off valves to all hot/cold waterlines are located either near the floor behind the toilet or under each sink in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room. Shut off valves for your exterior hose bibs are located in your basement and are noted with an OPUS QR code sticker.

Natural gas heats our homes and may also provide a means for cooking if you have a gas stove or a gas line to your BBQ. Some dryers may also utilize gas. In its pure state, natural gas is odorless. For your safety, there is an added odorant to give natural gas a distinctive rotten egg smell.

Signs Of A Natural Gas Leak:

• Sight -Damaged connections to natural gas appliances or vegetation that is dead or dying for no reason
• Sound - Hissing or whistling.
• Smell - A distinctive rotten egg or Sulphur-like odor.

What To Do If There Is A Natural Gas Leak:

• Go outside or leave the area immediately.
• Call Enbridge's 24-hour emergency number at 1-866-763-5427 or 911
• Never assume someone has already called.
• Take shelter at a neighbour's home until it is deemed safe to re-enter your home.

Safety Precautions:

• Don't use phones or electronic devices near the leak.
• Don't turn appliances or lights on/off.
• Don't smoke or use lighters or matches.
• Don't start any vehicles or motors.
• If leaking natural gas is burning, call 911 — don't attempt to put the fire out yourself.

Sewer backups or stoppages can occur for many reasons. Primarily this happens when something blocks or prevents the normal flow of wastewater from your house to the city's sanitary sewer. This can also occur by mismanaging FOG (fats,oil,grease) which eventually lead to constricted pipes limiting water flow, and collecting waste in your pipe leading to an extreme blockage. In other rare cases some repairs to infrastructure or sewer mains in your area could potentially cause these issues.

Having a sewage backflow preventer installed prior to your home beginning construction is a useful tool to mitigate sewage from backing up into your home. If sewer backup or stoppage occur, take the following steps:

• Contact OPUS Homes for assistance as soon as possible. Visit our website and click on Client Care> Emergency Numbers to report your concern.
• Avoid running water in all areas as much as possible as any water draining will increase the volume of the back up at the basement drain.
• Move furniture/boxes/items out of the vicinity to eliminate contamination and to contain the backup as best as possible.
• Keep children/pets out of the area and do not physically touch any of the back up matter as it could be harmful to you and your health.

Please note that any services provided to remove a blockage, clean and sanitize the area and restore functionality will be chargeable to the homeowner at the prescribed amount dependent on the required repair.