Water Leak at Home in Dubai? What to Do Before the Plumber Arrives

First, stop the water

Find the main water valve and turn it off. In most apartments it's near the kitchen or inside a utility cupboard. If you can't find it, shut the isolation valve under the sink or behind the toilet. Then turn off the electricity to any room that's wet. Water and sockets are a bad mix, and this takes ten seconds.

Limit the damage

Move rugs and furniture, put towels or buckets where the water is dripping, and take photos and videos of everything. You will want them later for your landlord or insurer.

Whose problem is it?

This is where people argue. In general, a leak from a pipe inside the wall or from the building's structure is the landlord's or building management's responsibility. A dripping tap, a blocked sink or a leaking flexible hose you've been using is often the tenant's. Your tenancy contract spells this out, so read it. If water is coming into a neighbour's flat, tell building management straight away, because the delay is usually what causes disputes.

Common causes

Flexible hoses. The braided hoses under sinks and behind toilets wear out. Replace them every few years. They cost very little and cause a lot of damage when they burst.

Worn washers and seals. A tap that drips all night wastes more than you'd think and shows up on your DEWA bill.

Blocked drains. Grease in the kitchen and hair in the shower are the usual reasons.

Water heater problems. A leaking tank usually means it has reached the end of its life.

Hidden pipe leaks. If your water bill jumps and you can't see why, or a wall feels damp or looks stained, a pipe may be leaking inside it.

Typical prices in Dubai

Hidden leaks that need walls or tiles opened cost more, and you'll need a repair for the finish afterwards.

Don't ignore the small drip

A slow leak under a cabinet can go unnoticed for weeks, rot the wood and grow mould. If you smell dampness or see swollen wood, check it now.

Need a plumber today?

Tell us what's happening and we'll send a verified plumber. You'll get a price once they've seen the problem, before any work begins.