Help! What Should I Do When I Find a Plumbing Leak?

Have you ever found standing water from a leak in your home? Perhaps you start to notice a water stain creeping across your ceiling or walls? It can be easy to panic in these situations. However, remaining calm and taking the right steps can help minimize the water damage while protecting your home. Here is Bonney Plumbing’s complete guide to what you should do when you find a plumbing leak.

Step 1: Safety First in Plumbing Leaks

When finding a leak in your home, your first priority should be safety. As you might know, water and electronics do not mix well together. When water leaks into your walls, it can easily reach the wiring of your home, which can cause sparks and electrical fires.

In severe cases, you may also need to check for the safety of falling debris. When water seeps into your ceilings and walls, it can impact the structural integrity of your drywall. While ideally, you can act quickly to turn off your water supply, you should always put safety first. If you experience an electrical fire, call emergency services and evacuate your home. 

Step 2: Turn Off Your Water

Once you are sure it is safe to proceed, your next step will be to turn off your water supply. There are two options for your water shut-off: local and main water shut-off valves. 

Local Water Shut-Off

If you are certain of the source of the leak, you may be able to cut the water supply to that one system. Appliance shut-off valves are often easy to locate. For example, when you have a leaking toilet, the shut-off valve is usually connected to the pipes right behind the toilet. Sink valves are often right beneath the leaking sink. While the exact placement and shut-off protocol vary by appliance, locating turning this shut-off valve should stop the water flow.

Home Main Water Shut-Off

When you are experiencing a major leak or are unsure of the source of the leak, you will need to shut off your home’s entire water supply. Bonney offers a guide to turning off your water supply here. Every home mainline is different. It is good to always know where your main water shut-off valve is in case of an emergency. If you cannot locate your shut-off valve, skip ahead to step 3 to get professional support.

Step 3: Call a Plumber

While there are still some steps you can take to help protect your home from damage (more on those below)—the sooner you call a plumber, the better. A professional plumber has the tools, skills, and experience needed to safely manage the leak. 

If you are dealing with a minor leak, you may be able to call for a regular plumbing appointment. For more severe leaks, you will need an emergency plumber. Emergency plumbers prioritize your service visit—meaning shorter wait times and more immediate support. This can help you minimize water damage and the amount of time you spend without water.

Step 4: Clearing Water

You can get a head start on clearing your leak to minimize water damage. If it is warm outside with low humidity, open your windows to let some of the heat in and moisture out. You can also use towels to start clearing any standing water. If you have furniture, decorations, or any items in your leak’s pathway, you can move them to safety. This will keep your items protected and clear the way for your plumber. 

Step 5: Plumbing Help

Once your plumbing professional has arrived, they will get to work in providing your home with the support it needs. Experienced technicians—like the plumbers at Bonney—will drive fully-stocked trucks to complete same-day services. A plumber will assess the damage, diagnose your plumbing troubles, and work to implement immediate repairs. 

Bonney Emergency Plumbers in the Sacramento Area

When you are experiencing a plumbing leak, the emergency plumbers at Bonney are available 24/7. We proudly serve homes and businesses in the greater Sacramento area, including Fair Oaks, Vacaville, Natomas, Carmichael, Roseville, Sacramento, Citrus Heights, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Gold River, La Riviera, Rosemont, and beyond! Bonney’s scheduling platform will provide you with special contact information for emergency plumbing appointments outside of our regular operating hours—helping you get the help you need no matter what. Make your appointment today to get started!