What You Can Do Before The Plumber Repairs Your Leak
The discovery of a leaking pipe is definitely a scenario where calling a plumber is best. However, depending on when the leak is discovered, where it is, and its severity, there is no guarantee that a plumber will be able to arrive right away. For this reason, it is helpful for homeowners to know what to do until a plumbing professional arrives if they encounter this issue.
Take a Video
Grab your phone as quickly as possible and capture a video of the leak. Especially for pipes in hard-to-reach areas, a video showing the water leaking from the pipe will make locating and repairing the leak so much easier for the plumber. However, you only want to perform this step if it is a slow or small leak. A massive leak can cause extensive damage quickly, so you will want to skip this step in that scenario.
Keep the Shut-Off Valve Off
Next, you need to turn the shut-off valve for that particular area off. This valve cuts off all water flow to the pipe so that the leak will at least temporarily be resolved. Remember that you will need to keep the valve off until repairs are performed, as turning the water supply back on will cause the leak to reoccur. Again, if the leak is extensive, skip the video and complete this step first.
Remove Excess Water
You should then clean up any excess water in the area. Again, water can cause extensive damage quickly. For example, in the case of a leak in a cabinet, the moisture could damage the wood beyond repair and damage the flooring below. Take a clean rag to soak up any leaking water from the pipe. You should also ensure the area is well-ventilated by opening the cabinet door or keeping the window open.
Put Tape Around the Pipe
Even with the water supply turned off, there is still a chance there is a small amount of water remaining in the pipe, and over time, this water might also leak from the opening. Placing a piece of duct tape around the leak area is one way to temporarily keep the water inside the pipe. With the tape around the pipe and a bucket under the pipe for extra protection, you can drastically reduce the risk of further damage.
In addition to these tips, be sure to ask the plumber what additional steps you should take until they arrive at your home to repair the issue.
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