us Home & property emergencies flexible supply line leaking • under sink supply hose spraying • faucet supply line burst • shut off valve under sink • angle stop valve leak • water spraying in sink cabinet • hot water supply line leak • cold water supply line leak • main water shutoff location • water meter shutoff emergency • condo shared water shutoff • apartment maintenance plumbing leak • water leak near outlet • stop kitchen flooding fast • sudden plumbing leak under sink • supply hose nut loose • braided hose dripping rapidly • emergency plumber call • prevent water damage now

What to do if…
a flexible supply line under a sink starts spraying or dripping rapidly

Short answer

Stop the water flow immediately—close the shutoff valve(s) under the sink, and if that doesn’t stop it, close the home’s main water shutoff. Then keep water away from electricity and contact a licensed plumber (or building maintenance).

Do not do these things

Don’t stand in pooled water while touching metal pipes or reaching near outlets, disposals, or dishwashers—make the area electrically safe first.
Don’t “crank down” on fittings while they’re spraying; you can split parts or strip threads and make it worse.
Don’t rely on a towel wrap, tape, or a bucket alone while leaving the house—pressure can build and the leak can escalate.
Don’t ignore a warm/hot spray (hot feed) or a bulging/kinked braided hose—assume it can fail more suddenly.
Don’t use a hair dryer, shop-vac, or extension cord in a wet cabinet unless you are sure the area is electrically safe.

What to do now

Create a safer pause. If water is near an outlet, disposal, dishwasher connections, or anything plugged in under the sink, keep your hands out of the wet area. If you can safely reach your electrical panel without standing in water, switch off the kitchen circuit (or main if unsure). If you would have to step/stand in water to reach the panel, don’t—keep away and call an electrician/utility for help.
Shut off water at the fixture first (fastest).
- Under the sink, turn the shutoff valve(s) (often “angle stops”) clockwise to close.
- If you have separate hot and cold valves, close both if you’re not sure which is leaking.
If water still runs, shut off the home’s main water valve.
- Typical locations: where the water line enters the home (basement/crawlspace), garage, utility room, or at/near the water meter.
- Turn the handle/knob clockwise until closed.
Relieve pressure. After shutting off, open a cold faucet (and another if needed) to help drain residual water and reduce pressure. You can stop once flow slows/stops.
Contain and protect.
- Put a bucket under the leak point; use towels around cabinet edges to stop water reaching floors/walls.
- Move items out of the cabinet immediately (cleaners can spill/mix when knocked over).
Get the right help fast.
- Apartment/condo: call maintenance/building management—there may be a shared shutoff you’re not allowed to operate.
- Single-family home: call a licensed plumber, especially if the shutoff valve won’t close fully or the hose looks damaged.
If you cannot locate/operate the main shutoff and water is still flowing: call your water utility (some utilities can advise or assist depending on meter type) and/or an emergency plumber.
Document briefly. Once water is off, take photos/video of the leaking hose/connection and any water spread (useful for insurance or landlord/building records).

What can wait

You don’t need to decide whether to replace the valve, hose, or faucet right now—just stop the flow and prevent electrical/water damage.
You don’t need to fully dry everything immediately; first stop additional water and protect outlets/appliances.
You don’t need to troubleshoot the exact failure point while stressed—leave diagnosis to maintenance/plumber if unsure.

Important reassurance

A spraying supply line looks dramatic because it’s pressurized, but most of the time the biggest damage comes from delay. Turning off the right valve(s) quickly is the key step, and you’ve already done the most important part once the water stops.

Scope note

These are first steps for stabilization and damage control. Repairing/replacing supply lines or shutoff valves can be straightforward, but it’s safer to use qualified help if parts are corroded, stuck, leaking at the valve stem, or if you’re in a shared-building system.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate harm-prevention and damage-limitation. If water has reached electrical systems, ceilings below, or you can’t fully stop the leak, treat it as urgent and use qualified help.

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What to do if…a flexible supply line under a sink starts spraying or dripping rapidly