A leak is easier to deal with when you separate the immediate problem from the repair. First, make the area safe. Then stop or limit the water if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. A plumber can help identify why the leak happened and what needs to be repaired.
Start with safety
Keep people away from standing water near outlets, appliances, or an electrical panel. If a ceiling is bulging or a fitting is spraying, do not stand underneath or reach through the water to operate a switch. Leave the affected area and call for help.
If you smell gas as well as seeing a water problem, leave the building and follow your gas utility’s emergency instructions. A water shutoff is not a substitute for gas-leak safety steps.
Find the nearest useful shutoff
For a leaking toilet or sink, there may be a small shutoff valve beside or below the fixture. Turn it gently. If the valve will not move, begins to leak, or does not stop the flow, do not force it. The home’s main water shutoff may be the next option if you know where it is and can reach it safely.
Once the flow is stopped, move belongings away from the wet area. A towel or container can help limit a slow drip, but it does not fix the cause.
Record what happened
Note when you first saw the leak, whether it is constant or only appears when a fixture runs, and which rooms or fixtures are affected. A photo of the pipe or fitting and one wider photo showing its location can be useful. Tell the team if the water is still running or if it has reached a wall, ceiling, or electrical equipment.
Arrange the right help
A loose visible connection, a damaged pipe behind a wall, and water returning through a drain call for different work. Describe the symptoms when you call or contact us so the team can discuss the next step. For an active leak or backup, use our urgent plumbing guidance and call rather than waiting on an online request.