Few things are as mortifying and disruptive in a tenant’s daily life in their rental as the splashing sound of water pooled where it shouldn’t be, or the sudden appearance of brownish stains in walls or ceilings. Whether it is a burst pipe or a slow, hidden leak, discovering water leaks gets everyone off guard. However, tenants and landlords must act fast to prevent mold growth, save furniture, appliances, and belongings, avoid negligence claims, and preserve the property’s structural integrity and value.
Preventing water damage requires quick action to keep minor problems from becoming costly repairs. In this guide, we outline the steps tenants must take to limit damage and meet their responsibilities.
Tenants’ Steps to Deal With Water Damage
1 – Stop the Water Flow
Before talking to your landlord, your first goal is to stop the water from flowing:
- Find the Shut-Off Valves: Most fixtures in a home have an individual shut-off valve. If a specific appliance or fixture is the culprit, you can isolate the issue without cutting water to the whole unit.
- Toilets: Look for a small oval knob on the wall behind the toilet tank. Turn it clockwise (right) until it stops.
- Sinks: Look inside the cabinet under the sink. You will usually see two valves (hot and cold water). Close them both tight.
- Washing Machines: The valves are typically behind the machine. If you cannot reach them, you may need to cut the main water supply .
If the property is an older home (built before the 1980s) and hasn’t been renovated recently, or is a basement suite, it may not have individual shut-off valves for some fixtures. In those cases, you must close off the main valve. This also applies if a pipe has burst inside a wall or you can’t find the leak source.
Newer condos usually have an in-suite shut-off valve, often in the laundry closet or near the entry door. However, if you’re renting an older apartment, you may need to call your landlord immediately, because many older units may not have an individual valve.
In houses, the main valve is often located in the basement or utility room, where the water service line enters the house (near the water meter). In homes without basements, the valve may be in the garage. Other possible locations include the crawl space (near the point where the water line comes in) or under the kitchen sink.
It’s important to mention that there’s also an exterior service water valve that’s usually near the property line or sidewalk: Do not try to close it. Only the City of Calgary’s workers can operate those valves.
2 – Ensure Your Safety
Ensuring that the property is still safe for you to stay is essential to notify your landlord calmer, or to evacuate as soon as possible. These are the main troubleshooting points you should run to ensure there aren’t any hidden dangers due to pooled water or damage:
- Electrical Hazards: While your first instinct would be to start mopping the water while you wait for your landlord, assess if there are any electrical risks first. If you have water pooled near outlets, or you see the ceiling is sagging near a light fixture, don’t touch the water. On the other hand, if the water has reached the outlets or appliances’ level, don’t enter the room.
Once you’ve ensured the water is at a safe level, go to the breaker panel (if it’s safe to do so) and switch off the electricity to the affected room. Keep in mind that if the breaker panel itself is damp or you have to stand close (or step in) the water to reach it, don’t do it. Stay away from that area and wait for the professionals your landlord will send to tackle the issue.
If it’s safe, mop up the excess water and take more measures to contain the water leaking as much as possible while help is on its way. Placing towels, buckets, or shallow containers under drips or around small pools can help prevent the water from spreading to other rooms or damaging more surfaces.
- Structural Integrity: If the issue is upstairs and there’s a large quantity of water accumulated in the affected room, look for sagging or blistered areas on the ceiling paint. Blistered paint indicates that a significant amount of moisture and water is being held up only by a thin layer of plaster or latex paint, and, depending on the amount of water leaking or if there’s a burst pipe, the ceiling’s integrity may be at risk.
If you have a hidden leak in your hands, look for creaking, popping, or cracking noises coming from the walls or floors; it can be a sign that the wood structure inside the property is strained from absorbing excessive moisture and swelling.
- Type of Water: The leaking water is clean and clear, or is it dark, with odour, or coming from a drain? If it checks the second description, never try to clean it yourself. Black water contains pathogens and bacteria that require professional-grade protective equipment and antimicrobial treatments to remove contaminants and restore the space’s safety.
3 – Call Your Landlord
Even if the damage is apparently small, don’t ignore it and notify your landlord immediately. Delaying calling your landlord will only make problems pile up: from mold growth, major structural damage, or health risks, and in some cases, you can be held partially responsible if your landlord proves you failed to report a problem early. Reporting immediately protects both your safety and your tenancy.
4 – Protect Your Belongings
If it’s safe to do so, move furniture, electronics, and valuable belongings away from the affected area. Water can spread quickly through the floors and walls, so even items that aren’t affected yet may be at risk. Keep items off the floor as much as you can to protect them in case the issue gets worse.
5 – Document the Damage
Take clear photos and videos of the damage as soon as you can, including the source of the water if you can see it, the extent of the damage to the walls, ceilings, floors, and fixtures, and any of your affected belongings. Make sure to also take photos of the state of the surrounding areas, even if they appear intact, to show the full context and how far the damage may have spread.
We also recommend you take note of the date and time you first discovered the damage, and when you reported it. Save copies or screenshots of all messages between you and your landlord, including emails, texts, or web submissions. Documenting the extent of the issue not only will help your landlord by giving them the full picture of the situation and know who to call, but it will also be essential if you need to file a claim with your tenant insurance company, showing that you reported the issue on time, and it can be evidence if there is a disagreement about responsibility.
Proactivity Protects Your Tenancy and Your Rights
No one wants to go through the stress of discovering water damage in their rental. However, by being quick and proactive, you will take control of the situation and get your comfort back faster. Taking the steps we covered in this guide will help you protect your belongings, your security deposit, your relationship with your landlord, and your peace of mind by knowing you did the right thing to protect your interests and your tenancy.
At the beginning of this blog, we mentioned that tackling water damage is a joint responsibility. So, in our next one, we’ll cover the steps landlords should take once they are notified of water damage in their rental property.
