Yes, a leaking shutoff valve is worth having checked soon, even if the drip is small. The valve is the part you count on to stop water in an emergency, so a leak can be a sign it may not work well when you need it most. Shutoff valves sit under sinks, behind toilets, near…
Water under a washing machine may come from the hoses or valves that feed it, the drain line it empties into, or the machine itself. Because several parts are close together, the first step is finding out when the water shows up and where it starts. A washer moves a lot of water in a…
No, a sweating pipe is not the same as a leaking pipe. Sweating is condensation that forms on the outside of a cold pipe, while a leak is water escaping from inside the pipe or one of its joints. Both can leave drips, puddles and damp spots, so they are easy to mix up. Telling…
A pipe may keep leaking after a repair because the first fix was temporary, the leak came from a nearby spot, or the condition that caused it is still there. In many cases, a second look at the whole area shows why the water came back. A leak that returns can be frustrating, and it…
A pipe often leaks at a joint or fitting because that is where two parts meet, and the seal between them can loosen, wear out or corrode over time. Movement, water pressure, age and the way the joint was first put together can all play a part. Joints and fittings are the elbows, couplings, tees…
Yes. A burst pipe does not always cause a sudden flood. A small split or crack can leak slowly, especially inside a wall, ceiling or floor, and the damage may only show up over days or weeks. Many people picture a burst pipe as water spraying everywhere, so a slower leak can be easy to…
If you think a pipe is frozen, know where your shutoff valve is, keep the faucet it feeds open and never use an open flame to warm the pipe. If the pipe is hidden in a wall, looks cracked or starts leaking as it warms, shut off the water and call a plumber. A frozen…
You can help prevent pipes from freezing by keeping them warm, insulating pipes in cold spaces and blocking drafts that reach them. These steps lower the risk, though no single step can guarantee a pipe will never freeze. Frozen water expands, and that pressure can crack a pipe or loosen a fitting. When the ice…
If you suddenly have no water, first check whether it is one fixture, your whole home or the whole building, then find out whether neighbors or the street are affected. That tells you whether the cause is likely a fixture, your plumbing, the building or a city water issue. Losing water can disrupt cooking, cleaning…
If water is leaking near electrical outlets, stay out of the wet area, do not touch outlets, cords or plugged-in devices, and keep everyone else away. If you see sparks, smoke or burning, or water is reaching an electrical panel, leave the area and call 911. Water and electricity together can be dangerous, even when…