You walk into the kitchen and there it is, water pooling on the floor. Maybe it's coming from under the sink, or perhaps you notice a wet spot spreading across the ceiling. Your heart rate jumps. Your mind races with questions. What do I do first? Should I call someone? Is this going to cost a fortune?
Take a breath. You've got this.
Finding a leak in your home is stressful, but knowing the right steps can save you from serious damage, and a lot of unnecessary panic. Let's walk through exactly what to do, step by step, when you discover water where it shouldn't be.
Step One: Stop the Water at Its Source
The absolute safest first step when you find a leak is to stop the water flow as quickly as you can.
This might seem obvious, but in the chaos of the moment, many homeowners skip this crucial action and jump straight to cleaning up. The problem? Every minute that water keeps flowing, the damage grows.
Here's what stopping the water looks like in practice:
If you can identify the source (like a burst pipe under the sink or a leaking water heater), look for a shutoff valve nearby and turn it off. Most fixtures have their own valve close by.
If you can't find the source or the leak is major, head straight to your main water shutoff valve. In most Montgomery County homes, you'll find this near your water meter, often outside near the street or on an exterior wall. Turn it clockwise to shut off water to the entire house.
Don't know where your main shutoff is? Now's a great time to find out, before an emergency happens. Walk around your property this weekend and locate it. Trust me, future you will be grateful.
Step Two: Handle Electrical Safety (Carefully)
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Once you've stopped the water flow, your next priority is electrical safety.
If it's safe to do so, unplug any electronics or appliances in the affected area. This includes things like:
- Lamps and small appliances
- TVs and entertainment systems
- Computers and chargers
- Kitchen appliances near the leak
Here's the important part: If water is anywhere near your electrical panel, outlets, or if you need to step through standing water to reach anything electrical, don't touch it. Just don't. Leave the area and call an electrician or your utility company before doing anything else.
When in doubt, flip the breaker for the affected area from a dry location. Safety always comes first.
Step Three: Move Your Valuables
With the water stopped and electrical hazards addressed, it's time for damage control.
Grab anything valuable or irreplaceable from the wet area and move it somewhere dry. This includes:
- Family photos and documents
- Electronics that aren't already damaged
- Furniture (if you can safely move it)
- Rugs and textiles
- Anything with sentimental value
Even if items look okay right now, prolonged exposure to moisture can cause warping, mold growth, and permanent damage. The faster you get things out of the wet zone, the better your chances of saving them.
Pro tip: If you have heavy furniture that can't be moved, try sliding aluminum foil or plastic under the legs to create a barrier between the wood and wet flooring. It's a small step that can prevent staining and water damage to both the furniture and your floors.
Step Four: Document Everything
Before you start any serious cleanup, take a few minutes to document the damage. This step is easy to skip when you're stressed, but it's incredibly important, especially if you plan to file an insurance claim.
Use your phone to:
- Take photos and videos of all affected areas
- Capture close-ups of where the water is coming from
- Document any damaged belongings
- Note the date and time
This documentation gives your insurance company (and any professionals you hire) a clear picture of what happened. It can make the claims process much smoother and help ensure you're properly compensated for repairs.
Step Five: Start Basic Water Removal
Once you've documented everything, it's time to start removing water. The goal here is to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of mold growth.
According to restoration guidelines, you should aim to start cleanup within 24 hours and complete drying within 48 hours to prevent mold from taking hold.
For small leaks, you can:
- Use towels and mops to soak up standing water
- Run a wet/dry vacuum if you have one
- Set up fans to circulate air
- Open windows if weather permits
- Run a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the air
For larger leaks or significant flooding, these DIY methods won't cut it. You'll need professional equipment to properly extract water and dry the affected materials. More on that in a moment.
Who to Call (And When)
Now let's talk about getting help. Depending on the situation, you may need to contact several people.
Call a Water Damage Professional
For anything beyond a minor leak, calling a water damage restoration company is your best move. Professionals have industrial-grade equipment for water extraction and drying that can save your home from long-term problems like mold, structural damage, and lingering odors.
Don't wait to see if things "dry out on their own." Hidden moisture behind walls and under floors can cause serious issues weeks or months later.
Call Your Insurance Company
Contact your homeowner's insurance as soon as possible after a leak. They'll walk you through the claims process and let you know what's covered. Having your documentation ready (those photos and videos you took earlier) will speed things along.
Call a Plumber
If the leak is coming from your plumbing system and you couldn't fully stop it, you'll need a licensed plumber to make repairs. Some water damage restoration companies can recommend trusted local plumbers, so don't hesitate to ask.
When to Call 911
If you smell gas along with the water leak, evacuate your home immediately and call 911 from a safe location. Gas leaks require emergency response from the fire department: this is not something to handle on your own.
Quick Do's and Don'ts Recap
- Do:
- Shut off the water source immediately
- Turn off electricity to affected areas (if safe)
- Move valuables to dry areas
- Document everything with photos and video
- Start drying within 24 hours
- Call professionals for significant leaks
Don't:
- Walk through standing water near electrical sources
- Wait to see if things dry on their own
- Throw away damaged items before documenting them
- Ignore small leaks (they become big problems)
- Forget to locate your main water shutoff before an emergency
Local Resources for Montgomery County Homeowners
If you're dealing with a leak or water damage in Willis, Magnolia, Plantersville, Anderson, or anywhere else in Montgomery County, help is available. Having a trusted local team you can call makes all the difference when water damage strikes.
The key is acting fast. The quicker you respond to a leak, the less damage you'll face: and the easier (and cheaper) the repair process will be.
You've got this. Now go find that water shutoff valve before you need it.
Montgomery Water Damage Pros
Website: https://www.montgomerywaterpros.com
Phone: (936) 326-7616
Facebook: Montgomery Water Damage Pros on Facebook