Household water leaks waste nearly one trillion gallons of water every year in the US.
And that’s to say nothing of the damage that a water leak can do to your home.
Leaks need to be dealt with quickly. But if you discover a leak in your own home, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Read on as we look at the first steps you should take if you discover a water leak.
Shut off the Water
Before you do anything else, you need to shut off the source of water.
If you can find the leak, you may be able to turn the water off directly at the source. If you aren’t able to find exactly where the leak is coming from then you should turn off your water main. This will leave you without water throughout your home but will ensure that there isn’t any further leakage.
Remember that the leak may not always be from your water system. It could be that your house is in need of weatherproofing.
Limit the Damage From Your Water Leak
Once you’ve shut off the source of the water, you need to try and limit any damage from the water that has already leaked out.
Turn off your electricity at your fuse box. Water coming into contact with live electricity can be a serious risk. The sooner you can cut the power the better.
If your leak is still dripping, get a bucket to catch any drips and stop the water spreading. If it’s coming from a pipe, try wrapping in it a towel to reduce the flow. You could also try to reduce the pressure on the pipe by turning on faucets elsewhere in your home.
Call out a Professional
Once you’ve made your home safe, and tried to minimize the damage, it’s time to call the professionals.
The sooner you can get repairs done, the sooner you can get your home up and running again. A licensed plumber will be able to deal with the leak. You should also contact an electrician to inspect any electrical damage there may be.
If you’re unable to find the source of your leak, you may need to call in water leak detection services to find out exactly where it’s coming from. And if you have a lot of standing water, you might also need to call a water removal professional.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Once your home is being seen to, it’s time to call your insurance company.
Let them know exactly what has happened, and ask what they can do for you. Some companies may be able to find you temporary housing whilst repairs are made to your home. They can also recommend restoration companies that you can use.
Looking for More Great Home Advice?
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