What to Tell Your Plumber About a Leak (and What to Do First)

October 26, 2026

Quick answer


First, stop the water: close the shut-off valve under the fixture, or turn off your home's main water shut-off. Keep people away from water near electrical outlets or panels. Then take photos and note where the water is coming from, whether it drips all the time or only when a fixture is used, and when you first noticed it. Those details help your plumber find and fix the leak faster.



Step 1: Stop the water



  • Fixture shut-off: most sinks and toilets have small valves on the supply lines underneath. Turn them clockwise to close.
  • Main shut-off: if you can't isolate the leak, or it's coming from a pipe, turn off the main water valve. In most Edmonton homes it's in the basement where the water line comes in, near the water meter.


Tip: find your main shut-off now, before you need it. Tag it so everyone in the house knows where it is.

Step 2: Stay safe and limit the damage



  • If water is near outlets, cords or your electrical panel, stay out of the water and don't touch anything electrical. If you can't safely reach the breaker, call an electrician or your utility.
  • If a ceiling is sagging or bulging with water, keep everyone out from under it and call a plumber right away.
  • Move valuables, rugs and electronics out of the area.
  • Mop up standing water and use towels or a bucket to catch drips.
  • Take photos for your records and for insurance.


Step 3: Gather the details your plumber needs


The more you can tell us, the faster we can find the problem:

  1. Where is the water showing up? Under a sink, around a toilet base, on a ceiling, in the basement, inside a wall?
  2. Does it leak all the time, or only when something is used? A constant leak usually means a supply line (pressurized water). A leak that only happens when you run a sink, shower or washer usually points to a drain.
  3. When did you first notice it? Is it getting worse?
  4. Did turning off the fixture valve or main shut-off stop it?
  5. What kind of pipe is it? Copper, PEX (plastic, often red, blue or white) or grey plastic. Grey pipe is often Poly-B, common in Edmonton homes built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s and known for failing at the fittings.
  6. Roughly how old is your home?
  7. Photos or a short video of the leak and the area around it.


Infographic comparing supply leak and drain leak signs, with blue and orange checklist panels.

Hidden leak? How to check your water meter


If your water bill has jumped or you hear water running when nothing is on:

  1. Turn off every tap, and make sure the dishwasher and washer aren't running.
  2. Look at your water meter. Many meters have a small dial or triangle that spins when water is flowing.
  3. If it's moving with everything off, water is going somewhere. Common culprits are a running toilet or a hidden leak in a wall or under the floor.


Quick toilet test: add a few drops of food colouring to the toilet tank. If colour shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes (without flushing), the flapper is leaking.

How SS Plumbing & Heating handles it


We'll find where the water is really coming from, which isn't always where it shows up. Then we'll explain the fix and give you a clear price before we start. We repair supply lines, drains, fittings, shut-off valves, faucets and toilets, and we'll let you know if we see anything else worth keeping an eye on, like aging Poly-B.


A Few Questions We Get a Lot


Should I turn off my water heater if I shut off the main? For a short shut-off, it's usually fine to leave it. If the water will be off for a long time, or the leak is at the water heater itself, turn off the gas or power to the tank as well.

Is a slow drip really worth fixing right away? Yes. Slow leaks inside walls and under floors can cause mould, rot and much bigger repair bills over time.

Will my insurance cover water damage? It depends on your policy and the cause. Take photos, stop the water, and contact your insurer as soon as possible.


Related reading: Why Does My Shower Leak? · Sump Pumps 101


Found a leak?


Call or text us a photo, and we'll help you figure out your next step. Leak that can't wait? We offer 24/7 emergency service, with any after-hours charge quoted upfront.

About Steve

Steve St. Louis is a Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter (Class B) and the owner of SS Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Based in Sturgeon County, Steve and his team have served Edmonton and area since 2020, with 24/7 emergency service and a 5.0 rating from 450+ Google reviews.