Shut Off the Water
If you see or hear water coming from somewhere it shouldn’t, your first course of action is to shut the water off. If the leak is coming from a faucet or appliance, you may be able to shut off the water simply by turning the handle or powering it off. If the leak seems to be something major, then you might need to shut off the main water supply to the house. To do so, locate your water main shut-off valve. This could be your basement, utility room, or outside the home. Later, use a wrench and some pliers to turn the valve until the water stops flowing.
Minimize the Spread
Since you’ve already turned the water off, you can now mop up any water that has leaked or pooled on the floor, under cabinets, or elsewhere. Use old towels and a mop to minimize the spread of the water and to dry cabinets, table legs, and other wood. If your carpets and rugs are already soaked, you can use extra towels to soak them dry. You can then open your windows and turn on several fans to try and dry the rug as quickly as possible. If you want to prevent damage to any furniture on top of your carpet, don’t keep it wet since it can lead to molds.
Call the Landlord
Get the water flow under control, and then call your landlord. Make sure that your landlord is updated with what’s happened, and with what you’ve done to solve the problem. If you allow water leaks to linger, they can do some serious damage to the property. If you don’t act on it immediately, you can be held liable for damages. Calling your landlord is a great way to get the leaks or any damages repaired immediately.
Practice Prevention
Ultimately, dealing with a water leak in your rental home requires proactive prevention. Now that you know what caused the leak, take the necessary steps to prevent it from happening again. If possible, protect your drains and pipes from extreme temperatures, clogs, and other common mishaps. Keep track of performing regular maintenance, and then inform your landlord if you see any potential problems developing. By fixing things before the pipes burst, you can do a lot to help prevent water leaks in your rental home.
Would you like to trade in your current Miami rental home for one that is maintained year-round by qualified professionals? Real Property Management United can help! Visit our website to check out our listings or give us a call at 973-747-5629.