What To Do If Your House Springs a Leak

The thing about leaks is they never seem to happen at a convenient time, not that there is ever a convenient time, btu you know, they never happen when you’re in a good place to deal with them, do they? They happen when you have to get to work, or you have guests over, or when you’re sleeping, and water seeping through the walls or bursting out of pipes is going to cause maximum panic, but you know what? It’s important that you don’t panic, and that you do the following instead.

Locate the source

The first thing you’ll want to do, after taking several deep breaths, is to locate the source of the leak because if you do not know where the water is coming from, you do not stand a chance of doing anything about it.

Shut the water off

Next, you are going to want to shut the water off so that it cannot continue to leak into your home and do more and more damage. For leaks under sinks or behind appliances, you can usually find a small shutoff valve close by. If the leak is larger or coming from somewhere you can’t isolate, like a burst pipe inside a wall, turn off your home’s main water supply. This simple move can drastically reduce damage while you figure out your next steps.

Protect your home from further damage

Now, you are going to want to do whatever you can to protect your home from any further damage. This includes things like moving furniture, rugs, and electronics away from the source of the water so that they cannot be contaminated by it. Use towels or buckets to collect dripping water, and set up fans if safe to do so. 

If any of your stuff has got wet, do your best to try and dry it now, because doing so quickly can prevent mold or mildew from developing in the future.

If water has made its way into carpets or walls, do your best to keep airflow going as much as possible while you wait for professional help.

Call in the right help

A household leak often needs expert attention, especially if you suspect a broken pipe, water heater issue, or a plumbing failure behind the walls. This is when calling a reliable plumber is crucial. A professional can diagnose the issue accurately, make the necessary repairs, and ensure that the fix lasts rather than just masking the symptoms. Avoid delaying this step; the longer water sits, the worse the damage becomes.

Document the damage for insurers

Leaks and flooding can cause a huge amount of damage to your home and your property, so it is really important that, as soon as you are able, you take pictures of your home and the damage, so that you can show the insurers and hopefully speed any claim along, as well as having the proof that will validate it.

Try not to panic, do as much of this stuff as you can, and hopefully your newly sprung leak will not be a complete nightmare!