Plumbing

What should you do first when you find a water leak?

A practical first-response guide for finding a water leak, reducing damage quickly, and deciding when the problem is beyond a simple DIY fix.

A plumbing leak response visual with shutoff and water-damage cues

The first goal with a water leak is not diagnosis, it is damage control.

What matters first

Shut off the water source if possible, protect nearby materials, and figure out whether the leak is active, spreading, or tied to a fixture versus a larger hidden issue.

Bottom line

Fast containment often matters more than instant perfect understanding.