A water leak at home can be devastating, often leading to time-consuming clean-up and high water-damage repair costs. Here you can find out what to do if you’ve suffered from a water leak at home – and how to prevent them.
Stop The Water Supply
To stop a water leak from worsening, the first thing to do is to cut off the water supply. The faucet or shut-off valve is usually placed in your kitchen or bathroom and will immediately cut off the water supply to your entire home. The water leak could be coming from an easily accessible source you can isolate – your dishwasher or washing machine, faucets, and toilets. These should have a shut-off valve next to the hose or pipe that can be turned clockwise to shut off the water supply. If you have a large amount of water in your home, you should also turn off the electricity – as long as it is safe – and the gas supply until the situation is resolved.
Identify The Source
A water leak at home can come from multiple sources, making identifying where the water is coming from somewhat complicated. Like leaky pipes, water can enter your home from pressure points such as a shower head, a leaky roof, or even a water leak on your neighbor’s property.
Remove Excess Water
Getting rid of standing water from the drain is a pressing task – the longer it sits in your home, the more damage it can do. For large-scale flooding, you may need to hire someone with access to a pump, which should be placed in the lowest part of the flooded area.
Start The Drying Process
Mold will develop within 24 to 48 hours after a flood, so starting the drying process quickly is extremely important in limiting water damage. Allow your appliances and outlets to air dry, and remove any wet furniture or rugs from the area. Open the windows to let the moisture out. Check your walls; any drywall or similar material affected must be removed and replaced. The last step to take about significant flooding is to hire a dehumidifier to draw the moisture out of the space – but be sure to close the windows before turning it on.
Protect Yourself Against Future Breakouts
Once the cleaning by sewage damage cleaning service for example is complete, priority should be given to protecting your home from future water leaks. In addition to regularly checking pipes and taking extra precautions during cold weather (one of the main causes of water leaks in the home), many people are choosing to invest in a water security system. Systems like this provide peace of mind by monitoring the humidity levels in your home and identifying the source of the water leak immediately. This water leak detection system can alert you to a possible breakage wherever you are and also allows you to cut off the water supply remotely, which means you can deal with water leaks before they cause serious damage.
