How to describe a leak
You don't need to know which part failed. Tell the plumber where you see water, when it shows up and what changed.
Water spreading fast? Shut it off first ↓There is water on the cabinet floor below the kitchen sink. I first noticed it this morning after washing dishes. I can't see where it starts.
- Where you see itThe room, the fixture and the exact spot.
- When it shows upWhat you were doing, and how long ago.
- What you can't tellSaying so is useful. Don't guess the part.
What to notice
Start with the location
Name the room and fixture. Say where you first saw water: inside the cabinet, on the floor, around a faucet, or on a wall or ceiling. Say so if you don't know where it comes from.
- Where is the water?
- Is it a drip, a damp patch or a pool?
- What has changed since you first saw it?
Add the timing
Describe what you saw during normal use: while the fixture was running, just after, or while nothing was on.
- When did you first notice it?
- Is it constant, or does it come and go?
- Has anyone worked nearby lately?
Don't run more water just to make it happen again.
Before you call
A clue is not a diagnosis
EPA WaterSense suggests looking for water on the outside of faucet gaskets and pipe fittings. Its meter check: read the meter, use no water for two hours, then read it again. If it moved, there's probably a leak, though not where.
Make the call easier
Keep your notes and, if it's safe, a photo. Ask whether the visit covers finding the cause, what that visit costs, and whether you'll get an estimate before any work starts.
Shut the water off Cierre el agua
Water utility emergenciesCall the emergency number printed on your water bill.
- Close your own shut-off valve first.It's often where the water line enters the house, or in the meter box on your side of the meter.
- Can't find it, or it won't close?Call your water utility. Many can shut the water off at the meter.
Source
The meter check and the gasket and fitting checks come from EPA WaterSense. The questions and the example are ours, to help you prepare; they aren't a diagnosis.
- EPA WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week, Sep 20, 2026