Mimimizing Water Damage From Leaky Pipes & Flooding

Often the first sign of a leaking pipe will be a spreading stain on a wall or ceiling or a puddle on the floor.  To prevent further damage, shut off the water supply immediately, before trying to trace the leak and repair it.

You can sometimes anticipate water damage and keep it to a minimum.  Where leaking pipes are concealed above the ceiling and a water stain is visible, place a waterproof drop-cloth on the floor and position a catch basin under the wet area.  If water is leaking from a ceiling light fixture, shut off the electricity and drain the fixture by removing its cover.  Poke a hole through the ceiling or remove a section of it to let any remaining water drain out.  Stand out of the way!

During a plumbing freeze-up, take precautions against leaks until you can be certain the pipes have suffered no damage.  Since the leaks will be frozen until the pipes thaw, waterproof the suspect area with plastic drop-cloths like those used by painters.  If you spot a crack, put a clamp on it.  And be ready with a few extra pots and buckets in case the undetected leaks reveal themselves.

If you arrive on the scene too late to avert a flood, you can still construct a makeshift dam from sandbags rolled-up rugs to prevent the flood from spreading to other rooms.  For a bad flood, you may need a pump with a submersible motor, usually available from rental agencies (check under”sump pumps” in the phone book).  If the situation is desperate, call the fire department, which is usually prepared to help.