What should I do first if a pipe has burst?

Stop the water. Find your stopcock, which is usually under the kitchen sink, in a utility room or close to where the mains pipe comes into the house, and turn it clockwise until it stops. Then open the cold taps to let the pipes drain, and switch off the heating and any immersion heater so nothing runs on with no water in it.

If you cannot find the stopcock, or it will not turn, do not force it. Note where the water is coming from and move on to the steps below.

How do I stay safe around electrics?

Keep water away from electrics. Do not touch sockets, switches, light fittings or appliances that are wet or sitting in water. If the consumer unit is dry and you can reach it without standing in water, switch the power off. If you cannot, stay clear.

A ceiling that is sagging or holding water can come down without warning, so keep everyone out of that room. Call 999 if anyone is in danger, for example from a collapsing ceiling or from contact with water and live electrics.

What are the signs of a hidden leak?

Not every leak announces itself. A damp patch or brown stain on a ceiling, paint that bubbles, a musty smell, a floor that feels soft or warm, or the sound of running water when everything is off are all worth taking seriously.

You can also check your water meter, if you have one. Turn off every tap and appliance, note the reading and look again after an hour or two. If it has moved, water is going somewhere.

What causes pipes to leak or burst?

Freezing weather, when water in a pipe turns to ice and the pipe splits as it expands, often at a joint or a bend
Old pipework, where corrosion has worn through the wall of the pipe
Joints that have worked loose, especially under sinks and around radiators
Pipes knocked or pierced during building work or when fixing something to a wall
Pressure that is too high, or a fault on a valve or appliance connection

A pipe that has frozen but not yet split may only show itself when it thaws. Thaw it slowly with a hot water bottle or warm cloths, never a naked flame, and watch for drips while you do.

What can a plumber do about it?

The first job is to find the source, which is not always where the damp appears, because water travels along joists and behind plasterboard before it shows. A plumber can then repair the split or joint, replace the damaged length, or advise if a wider run of pipe is worn out.

They may also isolate that part of the system so you keep water elsewhere in the home, and tell you what needs to dry out before the floor, ceiling or wall is closed up again.

Will I need a builder or decorator as well?

Sometimes. Plumbing repair stops the leak. Replacing wet plasterboard, boards or flooring, and redecorating, are separate jobs. Wet materials generally need to dry thoroughly before they are covered.

If you may want to claim, contact your home insurer early, take photographs of the damage before anything is moved and keep any parts that were removed. Your insurer can tell you what it needs.

Is a dripping tap or radiator valve worth reporting too?

A slow drip is easy to ignore, but it can mark a failing washer or a loose joint, and it wastes water. Radiator valves and pipe joints that weep can also stain carpets and rot the boards beneath. Small leaks are usually cheaper to deal with before they become large ones.

If you can smell gas, leave the property, do not use switches or naked flames, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Any leak on a gas appliance or its pipework is not a plumbing job: gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

What should I include in my enquiry?

your postcode, so we can check whether a plumber covers you
where the water is coming from, if you know, and whether it has been turned off
whether the pipe carries cold water, hot water or heating
what the building is: a house, a flat or a converted property
whether any damage, such as a stain or a wet floor, has appeared
any safety concern, such as water near electrics

What happens after I send it?

With your consent, we pass your enquiry to one local plumber, if one covers your postcode, and to nobody else. If nobody does, we tell you. The plumber contacts you to talk through the repair and agree the details with you directly. Sending an enquiry is free and you are not committed to anything.

Is this an emergency service?

No. If water is pouring in, turn it off at the stopcock, keep water away from electrics and call 999 if anyone is in danger. The enquiry form is for arranging the repair once the situation is under control.

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local plumber, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.