How to deal with a water leak

When discovering a water leak in your home you may begin to panic, unsure what to do next. After all, left to its own devices, water can cause some serious damage to your property.

To help you get to the root of the problem and deal with it effectively, we’ve outlined four steps you should follow.

Urgent first steps

Upon spotting the leak, there are several immediate steps you must complete as a priority to prevent further damage.

1. Turn off the water supply - Locate and switch off the main stopcock, which can usually be found under the kitchen sink or where the mains enters the property. On the other hand, if it’s a specific appliance, turn this off at the valve.
2. Turn off electricity - This won’t be needed in all cases, but if water is near sockets, fuse boxes or appliances, switch off the power at the consumer unit.
3. Contain the water - Use towels, blankets and pans to limit how far the water can spread. Along with moving furniture, rugs and valuables away from the affected area.
   
   

Identify the source

To resolve the issue, you must identify the source. There are a variety of common causes, such as burst pipes, leaking taps, faulty appliances, leaking radiators or roof leaks. However, if you’re struggling to determine where it’s coming from, look for damp patches, dripping sounds or water stains on ceilings/walls.

Call a professional

Whilst the above is a great place to start and prevents further damage or risk, most leaks will require a qualified plumber - but it doesn’t stop there. It’s also worth getting in touch with your home insurance if the damage is significant, making sure to take photos that could be used to support a claim, along with receipts for any repairs.

Dry and limit further damage

Once you’ve stopped the leak, aftercare is just as important. Ventilate the area by opening windows and using fans or humidifiers. Remove soaked carpets or soft furnishings and keep a vigilant eye for signs of mould in the following days.

Before a leak even happens, there are preventative measures you can take to attempt to avoid the ordeal altogether:

• Insulate pipes in winter
• Don’t ignore small drips
• Service boilers annually
• Know where your stopcock is before an emergency happens
• Check seals around baths and sinks regularly

If you’ve suspected a leak in your home and want some advice, get in touch today.