What Should You Do After a Pipe Starts Leaking?

The first few minutes matter more than anything that happens afterwards, and the sequence is always the same: stop the water, make the area safe, then get the pipe looked at.

1. Stop the water

Close the fixture shut-off if the leak is at a fixture. If not, close the main valve — in most local homes it is in the basement or utility area near the metre. Then open the lowest tap in the house to drain the remaining pressure.

2. Make the area safe

Keep water away from outlets, cords and appliances, and switch off power to the affected area at the panel if there is any doubt.

3. Limit what gets wet

Move belongings clear and lift anything absorbent off the floor. Materials that stay wet cost more to deal with than the plumbing repair itself.

4. Note what you saw

Whether the water was hot or cold, which fixtures were in use, and when it started all help narrow down the failure before anyone opens a wall.