It’s an unfortunate situation that no renter wants to go through: water leaking in your rental home! But if you do discover a leak, there are actions you can take to better the situation. To ensure you contribute to the solution, here’s what you should do when there’s a leak in your rental home.
Turn off the water supply
If you see or hear water coming from somewhere it shouldn’t, you need to immediately turn off the source. If the leak comes from a faucet or appliance, you can shut off the water simply by turning the handle or powering it off.
If your leak is more serious than that, however, you will have to shut off the main water supply to the house. To do so, locate your water main shut-off valve. This may be in a basement, utility room, or outside the home. Next, grab a wrench and some pliers to turn the valve until the water stops flowing.
Contain the leak and minimize water damage
After you turn off the water, the next task is to mop up any water leaking or building up on the floor, under cabinets, or in other areas. Minimize the water’s spread and dry cabinets, table legs, and other wood by using old towels and a mop.
If your carpet or rugs are soaked, use towels to soak up as much water as possible. Next, make sure to open the windows and switch on several fans to dry the rug quickly. Allowing a wet carpet to sit may result in mold and permanently damage any furniture placed on it.
Notify your landlord or property manager
After you get the water flow under control, it’s crucial to promptly call your landlord. Your landlord needs to know what happened and what action you’ve taken to address the problem.
It is important to address water leaks promptly to prevent serious damage. If you neglect to address the issue right away, you could be liable for those damages. By calling your landlord, you can work together to arrange to have the leak repaired and get any other damage in the home addressed.
Simple checks and maintenance tasks to avoid leaks
The last step in dealing with a water leak in your rental home is to prioritize excellent prevention. After identifying the source of the leak, it is important to take necessary measures to prevent a repeat of the same incident. Protect your drains and pipes against the negative effects of extreme temperatures, clogs, and other common mishaps whenever feasible.
You can also do your best to stay on top of regular maintenance concerns and alert your landlord if you detect signs of a developing problem. Taking proactive measures to address maintenance issues can greatly prevent water leaks in your rental home.
Real Property Management Pulse can help you locate a new residence to rent in Mission or the adjacent regions. Feel free to explore our selection of available rentals for more information and to schedule a viewing.
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