How to Handle a Plumbing Leak

Leaks range from an obvious drip under a sink to something you only notice through a rising water bill. How you handle it depends a lot on whether you can see it or not.

If you can see the leak

Start by shutting off the water supply to that fixture, if it has its own shutoff valve, rather than the whole house if you can avoid it. Put down towels or a container to catch what's already dripping, and clear anything nearby that water could damage — cardboard boxes, paper, anything absorbent.

If you suspect a leak but can't see it

A rising water bill with no clear explanation, a musty smell in one part of the house, or the sound of water running when everything is off are the usual clues. A simple check: make sure nothing in the house is using water, then see if your water meter is still moving. If it is, that points to a leak somewhere in the system. Our leak detection page goes into more detail on how contractors track these down without unnecessary demolition.

Small leak now vs. bigger problem later

Even a slow, steady drip is worth addressing before it becomes a bigger issue — a pinhole leak in a pipe tends to get worse over time, not better on its own, and hidden leaks can cause damage well before they become visible.

When to call

If you've contained what you can and shut off water to the affected area, the next step is getting someone to look at the actual source. Call (253) 452-0267 and describe what you're seeing (or suspecting) — that helps in matching you with a contractor who has the right equipment for the situation, whether that's a visible pipe repair or a search for a hidden leak.