Property guide / Miami-Dade
What Should I Do When I Find a Water Leak?
Leaks can damage finishes, belongings, and building materials quickly. The first priorities are personal safety, limiting water only when that can be done safely, and documenting where the water appears.
Quick answer
Move people and belongings away from the area. Avoid wet electrical fixtures, outlets, appliances, or standing water near electricity. If you know the correct fixture shutoff or main valve and can reach it safely, turn it off; otherwise call for help.
Practical first steps
- Keep people away from wet electrical equipment and do not enter an unsafe area.
- Move belongings and place a container only if there is no electrical or ceiling-collapse risk.
- If it is safe and you know the correct valve, stop the water at the fixture or main supply.
- Take wide and close photos, note when the leak began, and identify the room above if water appears at a ceiling.
- For a condo or rental, notify building management, the owner, or the responsible emergency contact.
Safety warning
Get urgent help when
- Water is active and cannot be controlled.
- Water is near an electrical panel, outlet, light fixture, or appliance.
- A ceiling is bulging, sagging, or releasing material.
- The leak involves sewage, hot water, a hidden pipe, or affects another unit.
What to include in a service request
- Exact property address, unit, and access instructions
- Where water appears and what is directly above or nearby
- Whether the water is still running and any valve that was closed
- Photos, affected rooms, and the best on-site contact
Water-efficiency sources
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Home Maintenance
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Leak Detection and Flow Monitoring Devices
Sources open on external government or public-service websites.