What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency

Stay Calm and Take Action

A plumbing emergency can be stressful, but knowing what to do in the first few minutes can prevent thousands of pounds in water damage. Here's your step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Turn Off the Water

Your first priority is to stop the flow of water. Find your main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink or where the water main enters your property) and turn it clockwise to shut off the supply.

Step 2: Turn Off the Heating

If you have a leak or burst pipe, turn off your central heating and hot water to prevent more water being pumped through the system.

Step 3: Drain the System

Open all cold taps and flush toilets to drain remaining water from the system. This reduces the amount of water that can leak from the damaged area.

Step 4: Contain the Damage

Place buckets under leaks, move valuables away from water, and use towels to soak up standing water. If water is near electrics, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit.

Step 5: Call a Plumber

Call an emergency plumber. While you wait, take photos of the damage for your insurance and note where the leak is coming from. If you suspect a hidden leak even after the emergency is resolved, our damp and leak detection service can pinpoint it without ripping up floors or walls.