A leak rarely announces itself. It starts as a slow drip under the sink, a damp patch at the back of a cabinet or a faint stain on the ceiling below the bathroom. By the time it's obvious, the water has often been escaping for weeks.
The sooner a leak is repaired, the smaller the repair. This guide explains where leaks usually start, how to spot one early, what to do the moment you find it and how we fix it.
What our leak repair service is, and what it isn't
We find the source of a leak and repair it, usually in one visit. That can mean tightening or replacing a fitting, changing a supply line or shut-off valve, or replacing a damaged section of pipe.
We work on the pipes inside your home that we can reach. If a leak is inside a wall, we can open the drywall, make the repair and patch the wall afterwards. We don't repair main sewer lines or the water service line that comes into the house from the street. Those need a specialist with excavation equipment.
Where leaks usually start
- Under sinks. Supply lines, drain traps and the connections to the faucet loosen and wear over time.
- Behind and under toilets. The supply line, the fill valve and the seal at the base are all common sources.
- Shut-off valves. Old valves seize and begin to drip at the stem.
- Appliance connections. Hoses on washing machines and dishwashers crack with age.
- Pipe joints. Fittings in basements and utility rooms corrode or work loose.
- Around tubs and showers. Failed caulking lets water run behind the wall with every shower.
Signs you have a leak
Not every leak drips where you can see it. Look for these signs:
- A water bill that climbs without any change in how you use water.
- Stains or bubbling paint on a ceiling or wall.
- A musty smell in a cabinet, closet or basement.
- Warped flooring or a swollen cabinet base.
- The sound of running water when every tap is off.
- Low water pressure at one fixture.
A simple test: turn off every tap and appliance and check your water meter. If it's still moving, water is escaping somewhere.
What to do when you find a leak
- Turn off the water. Use the shut-off valve nearest the leak. If you can't find it or it won't turn, close the main valve for the house.
- Catch what's dripping. Put a bucket or towels under the leak.
- Move your belongings. Take everything out of the cabinet or away from the wet area.
- Keep water away from electricity. If water is near an outlet or a light fixture, switch off that circuit at the panel.
- Take a photo. It helps us understand the job, and it's useful for an insurance claim.
- Call us. Tell us whether the water is still running so we can prioritize the visit.
How we repair a leak
- We trace the source. Water travels, so the drip you see isn't always where the leak is.
- We explain what we found. You'll know what failed and what the repair involves before we start.
- We replace the failed part. A fitting, a valve, a supply line or a section of pipe.
- We test under pressure. We turn the water back on and watch the repair to confirm it holds.
- We dry and clean the area. So you can see that it stays dry.
Why a small leak shouldn't wait
A drip that fills a cup in an hour wastes thousands of litres over a year. The larger cost is the damage. Water soaks into cabinets, subfloors and drywall, and damp materials can grow mould within days. A repair that would have been a new fitting becomes a new fitting plus a cabinet base, a section of drywall and a coat of paint.
How to prevent leaks
- Look under your sinks a few times a year for damp spots or corrosion.
- Replace old supply lines. Braided stainless lines last longer than plastic ones.
- Turn your shut-off valves once a year so they don't seize.
- Renew cracked caulking around tubs, showers and sinks.
- Know where your main valve is and make sure everyone in the house does too.
Why homeowners call The Man on Call
The Man on Call is a locally owned home services company based in Newmarket, serving homeowners across the GTA. When something goes wrong at home, we want to be the one call that sorts it out.
For leaks, that means we respond quickly, find the real source and explain the repair in plain language. We tell you what it will cost before we start, and we test our work before we leave.
Because we also repair drywall and paint, we can deal with the damage a leak leaves behind. One team can fix the pipe, patch the wall and repaint it.
Found a leak?
Turn off the water and call The Man on Call. We'll give you an estimate, stop the leak and help you put things right.
