Coming home to find water covering the floor can be alarming, especially when you don’t immediately know where it is coming from.
The first priority is to stay safe and determine whether water is still actively entering the home. If the flooding appears to be caused by a plumbing problem, stopping the water supply when it is safe to do so can help prevent additional damage.
Avoid rushing into the affected area or immediately trying to find and repair the source yourself.
Check for Electrical Hazards Before Entering
Before walking into standing water, look for potential electrical hazards.
Water may have reached outlets, appliances, extension cords, electrical equipment or other energized components.
Do not walk through standing water to reach an electrical panel, appliance or plumbing fixture if there is a possibility of electrical contact.
If electrical equipment has been affected, an appropriately qualified electrical professional may also need to assess the situation.
Determine Whether Water Is Still Flowing
If you can safely inspect the area without entering standing water, try to determine whether water is still entering the home.
You may hear water running or see water continuing to spread.
Don’t start turning faucets or flushing toilets to test the plumbing. If something has failed while you were away, using additional plumbing fixtures could make the situation worse.
Shut Off the Water If Necessary
If water is actively escaping from the plumbing system and you cannot safely isolate the affected fixture, shutting off the home’s main water supply may help stop additional water from entering the house.
The main shut-off is generally located near where the water supply enters the building or in an accessible utility area, although its location varies between homes.
If you aren’t sure whether shutting off the entire house is appropriate, see our guide on when to shut off the water to your house.
Do not force a shut-off valve that is seized, damaged or extremely difficult to operate.
Don’t Immediately Turn the Water Back On
Once the water supply has been shut off, avoid turning it back on simply to see what happens.
If a plumbing component has failed, repressurizing the system may cause water to begin escaping again.
The source of the flooding should be identified before restoring the water supply.
Try to Determine Where the Water Started
You don’t need to diagnose the plumbing problem yourself, but basic observations can be useful.
Look for clues such as:
- which room has the most water
- whether water is coming from above or below
- whether a toilet, sink or other fixture is involved
- whether water is near a mechanical or utility area
- whether a ceiling or wall is wet
- whether water is still actively appearing
- whether more than one area of the home is affected
These details can help a plumber determine where to begin investigating.
Be Careful If the Water May Be Contaminated
Not all household flooding involves clean water.
If the water appears to have come from a toilet, drain or sewer system, avoid unnecessary contact with it. Keep children and pets away from the affected area.
If you are unsure where the water came from, treat it cautiously until the source is known.
Protect Belongings When It Is Safe
Once the water source has been controlled and the area is safe to enter, move belongings away from the affected area where practical.
Furniture, boxes, electronics and other items can continue absorbing moisture even after the water has stopped flowing.
Don’t put yourself at risk to retrieve belongings from an unsafe area.
Take Photos of the Affected Areas
Before significant cleanup begins, consider taking photos or video of the visible water and affected areas.
Documenting where the water appeared can provide a useful record of what happened while you were away.
It may also help show a plumber where water was originally visible if conditions have changed by the time they arrive.
Don’t Assume the Wettest Area Is the Source
Water can travel.
It may move along flooring, framing, pipes, walls or ceilings before collecting somewhere else.
The room with the most visible water is not necessarily where the plumbing problem started.
Avoid opening walls, removing flooring or dismantling fixtures simply to find the source. A plumber can inspect the plumbing system and determine where the water originated.
What If the Water Has Already Stopped?
Finding that the water has stopped does not necessarily mean the plumbing problem has resolved itself.
A fixture may have stopped supplying water, a leak may only occur under certain conditions or someone may already have shut off part of the water system.
There may also be water hidden inside walls, floors or cabinets even though no new water is appearing.
The cause should still be identified before assuming the plumbing is safe to use normally.
What Should You Tell the Plumber?
When you call a plumber, provide as much useful information as you can without trying to diagnose the problem yourself.
Explain:
- how long you were away
- where you found the water
- whether water was still flowing when you arrived
- whether you shut off the main water supply
- which rooms or fixtures appear to be affected
- whether you noticed unusual plumbing problems before leaving
- whether the water appears to have come from a drain or toilet
If you’ve already called for help, our guide explains what to do before the plumber arrives in an emergency.
After the Plumbing Problem Is Controlled
Stopping the source of the water is only one part of dealing with a flooded house.
Water that has soaked into drywall, flooring, insulation, cabinetry or other building materials may require additional drying or restoration work.
The plumber’s role is to identify and address the plumbing problem. Depending on the amount of water and where it travelled, other professionals may be required to deal with damage to the building.
Emergency Plumbing Help in Kamloops
If you come home to flooding caused by a plumbing problem, Stillwater Plumbing & Heating can help identify the source and determine what plumbing repairs are needed.
For help with an urgent plumbing problem call Stillwater Plumbing & Heating at (250) 819-8247.
FAQs
Check for potential electrical hazards before entering standing water. If the flooding is coming from the plumbing system and it is safe to do so, stopping the water supply can help prevent additional water from entering the home.
If water is actively escaping and you cannot isolate the problem at an individual fixture, the main shut-off may be appropriate. Do not force a valve that is seized or damaged.
Not simply to test the plumbing. If the system has been shut off because of flooding, the source should be identified before the affected plumbing is repressurized.
You don’t need to diagnose the problem yourself. Note where the water is concentrated, which areas are affected and whether any water is still appearing. This information can help a plumber investigate the source.
That depends on the source. Water involving toilets, drains or the sewer system may be contaminated. If the source is unknown, use caution and avoid unnecessary contact.
Potentially. Water stopping does not explain why the flooding occurred. If a plumbing problem caused the flood, identifying the source is important before returning the system to normal use.
