Source drives everything
Knowing where water started tells you what to shut off, how contaminated it might be and how an insurer is likely to treat it. It also tells you whether it will return. A burst supply line stops when the valve closes. Groundwater and storm entry keep coming until conditions change.
Use the prompts below like a short interview with the room. Answer honestly and take the most cautious category when two fit.
Clues and likely sources
- IfWater is clear, no rain, and a pipe, ceiling or appliance is nearbyThenA supply line or appliance is likely. Close the main valve and check whether the water stops.
- IfWater appears only after heavy rain, and walls near wells are wetThenSurface water or a window well is probable. Treat it as gray or worse.
- IfWater rises from the floor near a crack or joint, and the sump runs constantlyThenHigh groundwater is likely. Consider the pump and drainage.
- IfWater or sludge comes from a floor drain, with a sewer smellThenTreat it as a sewage backup; stop using water and keep people out.
- IfCeiling is wet below a bathroom or kitchenThenA supply or drain leak above is likely; shut off water and check for sagging.
- IfWater appears after a cold night, then a thawThenA frozen pipe may have split; find the break and shut the main.
- IfWater is warm or near the heaterThenThe tank or a fitting may have failed; shut off the supply and power.
Source to first action
- Source
- Supply line or heater
- First action
- Shut main or inlet valve
- Water type likely
- Clean
- Source
- Washing machine or dishwasher
- First action
- Turn off supply, unplug
- Water type likely
- Gray
- Source
- Window well or surface
- First action
- Reduce inflow, clear debris
- Water type likely
- Gray or black
- Source
- Sump pit overflow
- First action
- Restore pumping, reduce inflow
- Water type likely
- Gray or black
- Source
- Sewer or floor drain
- First action
- Stop water use, keep out
- Water type likely
- Black
- Source
- Creek or gulch flooding
- First action
- Stay safe, follow official guidance
- Water type likely
- Black
Terms for the source
- Lateral
- The private pipe that carries waste from your house to the public sewer main.
- Footing drain
- A perforated pipe around the foundation that collects groundwater.
- Backflow
- Water moving the wrong way through a pipe or drain.
- Hydrostatic pressure
- Pressure from groundwater pushing against walls and slabs.
Common questions
What if two sources seem possible?
Shut off what you can, treat the water as the more contaminated category and ask a plumber or evaluator to narrow it down.
Why does the source matter to the insurer?
Coverage often turns on whether water was a sudden internal leak, a backup or outside flooding.
General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.