In the event of a burst pipe or other serious water leak, tenants should act immediately: if it is safe to do so, shut off the water supply and inform the landlord or property management straight away. If people are in danger, personal safety comes first.
Shut Off the Water and Watch Out for Electrical Hazards
If water is leaking from a pipe or a damaged hose inside the building, the relevant shut-off valve should be closed. If this does not stop the leak, the main valve can be used to cut off the water supply to the building.
However, no one should enter a flooded room to reach the main valve if there is a risk of electric shock. Do not touch electrical appliances, sockets or fuse boxes in wet or flooded areas. Only switch off the electricity if the fuse box is dry and can be reached safely. Flooded basements can be life-threatening.
Notify the Landlord or Property Management Immediately
Tenants must report water damage to the landlord immediately. If water is still leaking, it is better to call for help first rather than just send an email.
Contact details for property management or an emergency service may be listed in the tenancy agreement, in documents relating to the flat or on an information notice in the stairwell. For a city-owned flat, the relevant housing management office is the correct point of contact.
When reporting the problem, it is important to give the exact address, the floor, the affected rooms and a description of where and how the water is leaking. A simple phrase on the phone might be: “There is a water leak in my flat. The address is …, on the … floor. The water is still leaking. Please send help urgently.” The damage should also be reported in writing afterwards.
When Should You Contact the Stadtwerke?
For problems with the public water network in Tübingen or other municipalities, the relevant municipal utility company (Stadtwerke) is usually responsible. In Tübingen, the number is 07071 157-111. The control centre is staffed around the clock.
If water is coming up from beneath the road surface or there is an unusual, unexplained rushing noise in the main water line, this should also be reported to the Stadtwerke.
According to Stadtwerke Tübingen, they are responsible for the public water network, the service pipe up to the main shut-off valve and the water meter. The property owner is generally responsible for the pipes inside the building after the main valve. The owner must arrange repairs through a plumbing service. If a pipe is damaged inside a rented flat, tenants should therefore inform the landlord or property management immediately.
In Case of Immediate Danger: Call 112
If people are in danger, the water is rising quickly and poses a threat, or there is a risk of electric shock, call the fire brigade on 112. When making the emergency call, give the exact location, describe the danger and answer any follow-up questions from the emergency operator.
The fact that the landlord or an emergency plumbing service cannot be reached is not, by itself, a reason to call the fire brigade. What matters is whether there is an immediate danger.
Document the Damage
As soon as it is safe to do so, remove items that could be damaged by water from the flooded area and take photos of the damage. It is also useful to note the date, time, affected rooms and who has already been informed.
These notes and photos may be useful when dealing with the landlord and the insurance company. Damp walls and floors should be professionally assessed and, if necessary, dried to prevent mould and further damage.
Further information:
Stadtwerke Tübingen: water supply and what to do in case of a problem
Verbraucherzentrale: how to remove mould from walls
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