What to do if…
an aquarium, waterbed, or large container is leaking and causing water damage

What to do now

1. Create a safe pause. Step onto a dry surface. Keep children and pets out of the wet area. Use a flashlight rather than switching on lights near the leak.
2. Treat electrical danger as urgent. If you see sparks, smell burning, hear buzzing or crackling at outlets or the electrical panel, see smoke, or see water entering a light fixture, outlet, or panel, leave the area and call 911.
3. Stop or slow the source from a dry position.
   • For an aquarium, if the plug and outlet are dry and safely reachable, unplug the heater, pump, and light before lowering the water level.
   • For a waterbed, close the fill valve or cap if reachable, and put towels under the lowest leaking edge.
   • For a large container, brace it upright if it is tipping and press towels, plastic, or a tray against the leak to slow the flow.
4. Lower the water level if you can do it safely.
   • For an aquarium, scoop or siphon water into buckets or another clean container. If fish are at risk, move them into a clean container with tank water.
   • For a waterbed, drain or bail water into a tub, toilet, shower drain, or buckets if you can do that without crossing wet electrical areas.
   • For another container, move water into buckets or toward a safe drain; do not lift the full container.
5. Shut off plumbing only if plumbing is involved. If the container or waterbed is connected to a water supply, close the nearest dry, reachable shutoff valve. If that does not stop the flow and you can safely access it, shut off the main water valve for the home or unit.
6. Reduce electrical risk only if safe. If water is approaching outlets, appliances, or the electrical panel, turn off the affected circuit or main breaker only if you can reach the panel while dry and without standing in water. If not, keep everyone back and call building maintenance, a qualified electrician, or emergency services if there are danger signs.
7. Contain the spread. Put towels along doorways and edges of rooms, place buckets under drips, and move electronics, power strips, chargers, documents, rugs, and small valuables away from the water path.
8. Protect rooms below. If water is dripping through a ceiling, clear the area below, stay away from lights and outlets, and warn anyone downstairs or in the unit below.
9. Notify the right person early. If you rent, call your landlord, property manager, or emergency maintenance line. If you are in a condo, co-op, or apartment building, notify building management or the HOA if water may affect other units.
10. Document once the immediate danger is controlled. Take photos or video of the leaking aquarium, waterbed, or container, the rooms affected, wet electrical items from a safe distance, and any water moving through walls, floors, or ceilings. Note when you found it and what you turned off.
11. Start safe drying. Remove standing water from dry, safe positions. Ventilate if you can. Use fans, dehumidifiers, or a wet/dry vacuum only from dry outlets and only after you are confident the circuit and equipment are safe. If carpet, padding, drywall, or flooring is soaked, consider professional water-damage drying.