Shut off the main water valve first. If water is near outlets or appliances, turn off power to that area at the breaker, but only if you can do it from a dry spot. Move belongings out of the water, take photos for insurance, and start drying. Then find the source: a visible burst pipe needs a plumber; a hidden leak needs leak detection before anything is opened.
Water on the floor or coming through the ceiling is stressful. The first few minutes matter most, and most of what you need to do doesn’t require any tools. Work through these steps in order.
1. Shut off the water
Close the main water shutoff valve. It’s usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement, a utility room, a crawl space, near the water heater or in the garage. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
If the leak is at a single fixture — a toilet, sink or washing machine — you can close that fixture’s own shutoff valve instead.
Do it now, before an emergency: find your main shutoff, make sure everyone in the house knows where it is, and check that it turns.
2. Stay safe around electricity
If water is near outlets, cords or appliances, turn off power to that area at the breaker panel, only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot. Never stand in water to touch electrical equipment. If in doubt, stay out and call an electrician or the utility.
3. Turn off the water heater if needed
With the water off for a while, or if the leak is on the hot side, set a gas water heater to vacation or pilot, or switch off power to an electric one.
4. Protect your belongings
- Move furniture, rugs, electronics and documents out of the wet area.
- Put foil or blocks under furniture legs that can’t be moved.
- If water is coming through a ceiling and it’s sagging, keep clear and put a bucket underneath.
5. Document everything
Take photos and video of the water, the damage and anything wet before you clean up. Your insurer will ask for them. Keep receipts for anything you buy or anyone you hire. See does homeowners insurance cover slab leaks.
6. Start drying
Mop up standing water, open windows if the weather allows, and run fans or a dehumidifier. The U.S. EPA advises drying water-damaged materials within 24–48 hours to help prevent mold (EPA mold guidance).
7. Find the source
| What you see | Next step |
|---|---|
| A burst or leaking pipe you can see | Call a plumber for the repair |
| Water coming from a fixture or appliance | Keep that shutoff closed and call a plumber or appliance repair |
| Water with no visible source | Leak detection to pinpoint it before anything is opened |
| A stain spreading on a wall or ceiling | Find the leak in the wall before cutting |
| Warm floor or running-water sound | Possible slab leak |
What not to do
- Don’t cut into walls or break floors to look for the leak. You may open the wrong spot.
- Don’t use a regular household vacuum on water.
- Don’t turn the main water back on until you know where the leak is.
Hidden leak? Get it located
If the water is off but you can’t find where it’s coming from, our hidden water leak detection pinpoints the source without guesswork demolition, and documents it for your plumber and insurer. We serve Bargersville and the rest of Johnson County. Call and tell us what you’re seeing.
Still can’t find it?
Our hidden water leak detection pinpoints the leak without tearing things up, so the repair starts in the right spot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first thing to do when a water pipe leaks?
Turn off the main water shutoff valve. It stops the flow to the whole house while you figure out where the water is coming from.
Where is my main water shutoff valve?
Usually where the water line enters the house: in the basement, a utility room, a crawl space, near the water heater or in a garage. Find it before you ever need it, and make sure it turns.
Should I turn off the water heater during a leak?
If the leak is on the hot side or the water is off for a while, turn a gas heater to vacation or pilot and switch off power to an electric heater.
When is a leak an emergency?
When water is actively spreading, coming through a ceiling, near electrical outlets or appliances, or when you can hear water running inside a wall or under the floor.