A burst pipe is one of the most stressful emergencies a homeowner can face. Water can spread through a property in minutes, damaging flooring, ceilings, and belongings — and the longer it runs, the more expensive the clean-up. But a calm, quick response in the first ten minutes can make a huge difference to the outcome.
Here’s exactly what to do.
Step 1: Shut Off Your Water Supply Immediately
Your first move should always be finding and turning off the stopcock — usually located under the kitchen sink, in a cupboard, or near where the water pipe enters the property (often under the stairs or in the utility room). Turning this off stops fresh water from feeding the leak, even if water already in the pipes continues to drain out briefly.
If you don’t already know where your stopcock is, it’s worth locating it today — not during an emergency.
Step 2: Turn Off the Electrics in Affected Areas
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is near sockets, light fittings, or your fuse box, switch off the electricity supply to that area (or the whole property) at the consumer unit before doing anything else.
Step 3: Drain the System
Once the stopcock is off, open your cold taps to drain any remaining water sitting in the pipes. If you have a hot water tank, turn off your immersion heater or boiler too, so it doesn’t keep heating water with nowhere to go.
Step 4: Contain the Water
Use towels, buckets, or basins to catch and contain water while you wait for help. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables out of the affected area if it’s safe to do so. If water is coming through a ceiling, place a bucket underneath and, if you can do so safely, pierce the bulging area of ceiling to release trapped water in a controlled way rather than letting it collapse.
Step 5: Call an Emergency Plumber
Once the immediate danger is under control, call a 24/7 emergency plumbing service. Be ready to tell them:
- Where the leak is (kitchen, bathroom, under the floor, etc.)
- Whether you’ve managed to shut off the water
- Whether any electrics are affected
- How long the leak has been running
This helps the engineer arrive prepared with the right parts and equipment for a first-visit fix.
Common Causes of Burst Pipes in London
London’s older housing stock means burst pipes are often linked to:
- Ageing lead or galvanised steel pipework
- Freeze-thaw damage in winter months
- Corrosion in properties with hard water
- Pressure spikes in poorly maintained systems
If burst pipes or leaks keep happening in the same property, it’s worth having a plumber assess the wider leaks and burst pipes history rather than just patching each incident as it occurs.
What Happens When We Arrive
Our engineers arrive with fully stocked vans, ready to diagnose and repair burst pipes on the first visit wherever possible. We’ll confirm the fix, agree the price upfront, and leave you with a written workmanship guarantee.
Don’t Wait — Water Won’t Wait Either
If you’re dealing with a burst pipe right now, don’t wait for it to get worse. Our Gas Safe registered, fully insured engineers are on call 24/7 across all 32 London boroughs, with an average arrival time of around 60 minutes.
Call 020 8064 0422 now, or book online for a fixed-price emergency visit.