Close the water first: angle stops and the main
Start at the fixture. Under a sink there are usually two small oval or round valves on the wall or floor, called angle stops, one for hot and one for cold. Turn each clockwise until it stops. If water keeps coming or the valve will not turn, go to the main shut-off for the house.
The main is often on a pipe near the water heater, at the front hose bib, or in a box near the street. A second shut-off sits at the meter. Learn where yours is before you need it, and tag it with a bright strip of tape.
Why shut-offs seize and supply lines fail
Old valves rarely get turned, and mineral buildup freezes the stem. Forcing a seized valve can snap it, which turns a drip into a stream. Turn gently, never with a pipe wrench, and if it will not move, close the main and call a plumber.
Flexible braided supply lines run from the stop to the faucet or toilet. Their inner tubing wears out, and the metal ends corrode, so they tend to fail at the connection. Water heaters fail in a similar way, with a tank that rusts through or a drain valve that weeps. If water is coming from the tank, turn off the cold supply to it and the power or gas, and call a plumber.
Water still spreading? The emergency line is open 24 hours a day.
Call (760) 769-1159Step list: the first hour
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Stop the water | Close both angle stops, or the main if they fail | Every minute adds water to the cabinet and wall |
| 2. Check for electricity | Keep clear of outlets, disposals and wet cords, cut power only from a dry panel | Water and power together is a shock risk |
| 3. Empty the cabinet | Remove cleaners, bins and stored items | Lets air reach the panels and floor of the cabinet |
| 4. Photograph everything | Take wide and close shots, with the source in frame | Records condition before cleanup and supports a claim |
| 5. Soak up standing water | Use towels, a mop or a wet vacuum | Less water means less wicking |
| 6. Open and ventilate | Take off cabinet doors, run a fan, open windows when outdoor air is dry | Starts drying immediately |
| 7. Call the right pro | Plumber for the pipe, restoration crew for the water | Fixing the pipe does not dry the structure |
What water does inside a cabinet
Most base cabinets are built from particleboard or MDF, which swell like a sponge when wet. The bottom panel goes first, then the toe kick and the sides. Swollen board does not shrink back to its original shape, so a cabinet that has been soaked often has to be replaced.
Water also wicks sideways into the drywall behind the sink and down through the floor edge. You may see a dry wall face that is wet two feet away. A moisture meter and thermal camera find that hidden spread, which is why a visible puddle is rarely the whole story.
If the cabinet stays wet for days, mold can start on the back panel and the wall behind it. That is a good reason to dry quickly, and if you find growth or a persistent musty smell, see our mold remediation page for how containment and removal work.
Plumber, restoration crew or both
A plumber stops the leak at the source: replacing a supply line, a valve or a burst section. A restoration crew handles what the water did: extraction, drying, removing materials that cannot be saved, and documenting moisture readings. For anything beyond a small, quickly caught drip, you need both, and the plumber usually goes first.
For a burst pipe flooding rooms, our emergency water removal crews can start extraction while you wait for the plumber. We do not do plumbing repairs. The same 24/7 line also serves Rancho Mirage and other nearby towns.
Documenting for insurance
The California Department of Insurance guide says to report the damage to your agent or company, keep a log of calls and letters, and make temporary repairs to prevent more damage. Shutting off the water and drying the cabinet are those repairs. Keep the failed part in a bag if you can, because it shows what happened.
Write down the time you found the leak and the time you closed the valve, and save receipts for fans, towels and any plumber visit.
Sudden and accidental leaks are often covered while gradual, long-running ones often are not, so check your policy and ask your insurer. Be wary of early offers described as a full settlement that ask you to sign away further claims.
Cathedral City note: your water provider and the permit question
Cathedral City does not provide your water. Desert Water Agency serves properties west and south of Whitewater Wash, and Coachella Valley Water District serves properties east and north. Check your water bill to see which one is yours. If the leak is between the street and your meter, the meter shut-off and the repair on that stretch are typically the provider's concern, not your plumber's, so call that agency.
If you live toward the west side, the provider's office is in Palm Springs. Coachella Valley Water District is also the water agency in Palm Desert. Either way, keep the account number handy when you call.
For replumbing a whole house or opening walls, ask the city Building and Safety Division if your repair needs a permit. The city's page says it issues permits and performs inspections, but does not spell out rules for water repairs, so asking first protects you.
Frequently asked questions
What if my angle stop leaks when I turn it?
Close the main water shut-off and call a plumber. A worn stem packing or cracked valve body will need replacing, and cranking it harder can make it worse.
How long can a cabinet stay wet before it is ruined?
Particleboard can swell within hours of soaking, and mold can start on a wet back panel within days. The sooner the cabinet is emptied and dried, the more of it may be saved.
Do I need a restoration crew for a small drip?
Not always. A drip caught within hours, with a dry wall reading, can often be handled with towels and fans. If the wall or floor edge reads wet, have it checked.
Whom do I call in Cathedral City if the leak is on the street side of my meter?
Call the water provider for your address, Desert Water Agency or Coachella Valley Water District depending on which side of Whitewater Wash you live. Your water bill names it.