What to Do if your House Springs a Leak

You may not be able to see it, but beneath your walls and floors lies an intricate system of piping that carries water throughout your home. When one of these pipes fails, you’ll likely find yourself with a water leak. Tending to a leak as soon as symptoms appear may be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major home repair.

Signs of a Leak

• Wet Spots – Possibly the most obvious, wet spots in your ceiling, on the floor, or in the walls are a strong indication that you have a leak.
• Foundation Cracks – Water leaks in your home can weaken the foundation, causing its structure to crack.
• Mold and Mildew – Damp spots are known to cause mold, which can be detected visibly or by a musty smell in the home.
• Water Bill Increases – If your water bill has increased noticeably from previous months and there is not an obvious reason for the increase, you might have a leak. Water may be running continuously in an area of your home without your knowledge.

What can I do?

1. Shut off the water that feeds to the part of your home where the leak is located. If you do not know exactly where the leak is, or are unable to shut the water off to the specific area alone, shut off water to your entire home until a professional can assess the problem.
2. Turn off electricity to the area of your home that has a leak if it is safe to do so. Making sure there is nothing electrical operation near a water leak is important, but if it compromises your own safety, do not attempt this on your own.
3. Remove excess water and dry out the area. Again, only attempt this if the conditions are safe. Use a shop-vac to remove the water and turn on fans to get air circulating throughout the area.
4. The most important step you can take when you have a leak in your home is to CALL A PROFESSIONAL!

For experienced and trustworthy Maryland plumbing service experts, call Michael Runk Plumbing & Heating! We are a 24/7 plumber and have been happily serving thousands of customers in Westminster, Eldersburg, Carroll County, and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. As a locally owned and operated business, we pride ourselves on being a caring and reliable resource for our community.

Contact us today for more information on the emergency plumbing services we offer, or to schedule an appointment.