Guides · Plumbing
Water leak: the first steps, in the right order
With a leak, the first few minutes matter. This checklist helps you limit the damage, even before a plumber arrives.
- Price quoted = price paid
- Itemised invoice for your insurer
- Emergency: on site within 2 hours, anywhere in Luxembourg
1. Turn off the water
Start with the isolation valve closest to the leak: under the sink, behind the toilet, on the washing machine or water heater supply. Turn it clockwise.
If the leak doesn't stop or you can't find a valve, close the main stopcock. It's usually near the water meter: in the cellar, a utility cupboard or, in a block of flats, the service duct on the landing.
Find your main stopcock today and check it turns. On the day of a leak, you'll save precious minutes.
2. Make the electrics safe
Water and electricity don't mix. If water is near a socket, an extension lead on the floor, an appliance, or coming through a ceiling with a light fitting, switch off that circuit, or the main switch if in doubt.
Don't touch wet electrical appliances, and don't walk barefoot through puddles near anything plugged in.
3. Limit the damage
- Mop up with towels, put a bucket under the leak.
- Move furniture, rugs, boxes and appliances out of the water.
- Open windows to start drying out.
- If a ceiling stain is bulging, don't stand underneath it: water may have pooled there.
4. Tell the right people
In a flat, warn the neighbour below quickly: water travels fast through floors. If the leak seems to come from upstairs, knock on their door or contact the building manager.
If you rent, tell your landlord or letting agency too.
5. Record everything for your insurer
Before you clean up, take photos and a short video of the leak and the damage. Keep any replaced parts if you can.
Report the water damage to your home insurer within the deadline in your policy. Every policy is different: check your terms. The plumber's itemised invoice, describing the cause of the leak, is useful for your claim.
When to call a plumber now, and when it can wait
Call straight away if water is still running with the valve closed, if the leak is from a pipe or the water heater, if water is coming through a ceiling, or if you can't find the main stopcock.
It can wait for a daytime visit if a tap is dripping, a trap is slightly damp, or the leak is stopped by a closed valve.
Our page on water leak repair explains how we work. Send us a photo on WhatsApp: we'll tell you what to do and give you the price before we come. For other problems, see plumber in Luxembourg.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the main stopcock in a flat?
Often in the service duct on the landing near the meter, or in a kitchen or bathroom cupboard. Ask your building manager if you can't find it.
Should I switch off the electricity if there's a leak?
Yes, as soon as water gets near a socket, appliance or light fitting. Switch off that circuit or the main switch.
How quickly must I report water damage?
The deadline depends on your home insurance policy. Check your terms and report it as early as possible.
Can a small leak wait until tomorrow?
Yes, if it's contained (valve closed, container underneath) and nowhere near the electrics. Keep an eye on it and book a daytime visit.