Discovering a water leak in your home and dealing with the repairs and cleanup can be a highly stressful event. Whether the water leak is due to a burst pipe, a failed pipe fitting, or a slow leak from a sink, toilet, tub, water heater, or appliance, you’re facing a situation that requires immediate action and thorough remediation. The professionals at HomePro Inspections have a few suggestions they would like to share with you if and when you face a water leak problem.
After the initial shock, it’s common for folks to grab a bucket and go into damage control, but it can be a challenge to know what to do first or where to start. As bad as the situation may initially appear, there are a few courses of action you can take to help get you through the process and minimize the problem as much as possible.
Let’s start by assessing what type of water leak you may have.
Low-Damage, Low-Cost Water Leak
These types of water leaks usually don’t cause damage, but they can be inconvenient and can cost you time, money, and energy to locate the source. There’s an obvious water leak somewhere, and it’s wasting water, increasing your water and sewer bill. Perhaps it’s the sprinkler system, the water softener, or a rarely used toilet. The water leak may be difficult to pinpoint, but you can hear water running in the pipes somewhere in your home.
Water Meter
Where to Start
· Check and shut off all hose bibs, interior faucets, showers, and sprinkler systems.
Turn off all faucets or valves connected to the water system. Once you’ve done that, if you still hear water running, you need to systematically search for the source of the water leak. This can take some time and vary in complexity, depending on your home.
· Locate and check your water meter.
After shutting off the water sources, locate and check your water meter. Water meters vary, so you may see something like an odometer. Some water meters have small dials, or icons, that will indicate low flow. Learn more about how to read a water meter here. If the indicator indicates flow, you still have a water leak somewhere in your home.
· Shut off the water supply to your toilets.
Water leaks from toilets are typically the most common source of non-damaging water leaks. When checking multiple toilets, turn off the water source for each one separately, and then check the flow indicator on your water meter. If the indicator has stopped after shutting off a particular toilet, you’ve found the culprit. If the indicator still shows a low flow, there’s still a water leak.
· Shut down all other water-using appliances.
One by one, shut off the water supply to any appliances or devices that use water. Continue checking as you did with the toilets until you find the water leak. If the water leak is still undetectable, maybe it’s time to call your favorite plumber.
Moderate-Damage, Moderate-Cost Water Leaks
Whether they’re unnoticed or ignored, moderate-damage water leaks can result in significant damage. It could be a small water leak next to a shower stall, a drip from the dish washer or sink, or a wet spot on the basement ceiling. While these types of leaks don’t look all that severe on the surface, they could be developing into a much bigger and more serious problem in the walls or ceilings.
Water leak at the basement ceiling and wall
It should go without saying: if you notice a new water leak, deal with it right away! Repeated and continuous water leaks, even if they appear to be small, typically don’t go away on their own. Ignoring them can be a big, and costly, mistake.
Where to Start
· Turn off the water source.
Check to see if there’s a water valve at the source that can stop the leak. If there is no valve, you need to shut off the main water valve.
· Clean up the mess immediately.
If you catch a water leak soon enough, the mess may be minimal, but you should clean it up immediately. Failure to dry up a water leak can result in mold or mildew. Disinfect the area if possible, and get a fan and/or dehumidifier going as soon as you can.
If any organic growth has started, be conscientious and take precautions to minimize spreading mold spores throughout your home. Protect yourself by wearing the appropriate protective clothing if you are to handle anything that may be dangerous. As my dad used to say, it’s better to be safe than sorry!
· Resolve the leak at its source.
Determine exactly where the water leak originates. Replace or fix whatever is leaking, and make sure that any damaged or corroded components are replaced. Take the time to analyze other components that may be suspect or waiting to be your next water leak.
Split water line
Significant-Damage, Significant-Cost Water Leaks
Most homeowners may never have a water leak that fits into this category. These types of water leaks can be catastrophic and result in tremendous damage to your home. Frozen or burst water lines have the potential to pump hundreds of gallons of water into your home in a short amount of time. Immediate attention is required when this type of water leak is discovered.
Basement water leak
Where to Start
· Turn off the main water valve.
Everyone old enough to understand should know where the main water valve is located in their home. Shut it off immediately. If the water leak is located before the main water valve, call a plumber or your city water utility company immediately. You may also want to turn off any electrical circuits in the affected area to prevent electrocution.
· Document the damage.
Before you do anything else, document everything by taking photos and videos of the damage. Again, turn off any electrical circuits that may pose an electrocution hazard. Thorough documentation will go a long way towards minimizing your losses when working with your insurance company.
· Contact your insurance company.
As soon as possible, contact your insurance company to report the damage. They need to know about the water issue, and they may be able to guide you to the appropriate actions and sources for remediation.
Start the cleanup process, but don’t make any significant changes before the insurance company has had a chance to assess the damage. Ask them for directions, and make sure you wear rubber boots, gloves, and any other protective clothing and gear needed to minimize any chance of injury.
Summary
Take immediate action if you notice a water leak in your home. Knowing the extent of a water leak and quickly mitigating the damage is an important first step.
At HomePro Inspections, our home inspectors are trained and always look for past or active water leak issues when inspecting a home. Any issues are documented and recommended for resolution by a qualified professional.
Visit our website to learn more or to schedule your home inspection in the Rochester, Owatonna, and Faribault, MN areas. You can contact us today at (507) 202-8942, send us an email, or utilize our online “Schedule Now” feature to set up an appointment.