Minimising flood damage from water leaks
Often the first sign of a leaking pipe will be a spreading stain on a wall or ceiling or a puddle on the floor. To prevent further damage, shut off the water supply immediately, before trying to trace the leak and repair it. You can sometimes anticipate water damage and keep it to a minimum. Where leaking pipes are concealed above the ceiling and a water stain is visible, place a waterproof sheet on the floor and position a catch basin under the wet area.
If water is leaking from a ceiling light fitting, shut off the electricity and drain the fixture by removing its cover. Poke a hole through the ceiling or remove a section of it to let any remaining water drain out. Stand out of the way! During a plumbing freeze-up, take precautions against leaks until you can be certain the pipes have suffered no damage. Since the leaks will be frozen until,the pipes thaw, waterproof the suspect area with plastic dustsheets like those used by painters. If you spot a crack, clamp a patch on it.
And be ready with a few extra bowls and buckets in case undetected leaks reveal themselves. If you arrive on the scene too late to avert a flood, you can still construct a makeshift dam from sandbags or rolledup rugs that will prevent the flood from spreading to other rooms. For a bad flood, you may need to use a submersible pump, usually available from tool-hire firms. If the situation is desperate, call a plumber or a plumbing company, which will always help in an emergency.