Emergency Plumbing: How to Stop a Leak Before the Plumber Arrives

A burst pipe or major leak can cause significant damage in a short amount of time. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can save you thousands in repair costs. Here's how to minimise damage while you wait for an emergency plumber.

Step 1: Turn off the water supply

Find your stopcock and turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. In most homes, the stopcock is under the kitchen sink, but it can also be in a utility room, garage, or under the stairs. If you're a tenant and can't find it, check near the front door or ask your landlord. Turning off the water is the single most important thing you can do.

Step 2: Turn off the heating

If the leak is from your central heating system, turn off the boiler and heating. This stops the pump from pushing water through the system and out of the leak. For a combi boiler, turn it off at the unit. For a system boiler, also turn off the hot water cylinder immersion heater.

Step 3: Drain the system

Open all cold taps to drain the remaining water from the pipes. If the leak is from a hot water pipe, open the hot taps instead. Flush the toilets to empty the cisterns. This reduces the amount of water that can escape through the leak.

Step 4: Contain the water

Place buckets, towels, or containers under the leak to catch dripping water. If water is spreading across a floor, use towels to create a barrier. If water is coming through a ceiling, place a container underneath and carefully make a small hole in the ceiling to let water drain into it — this prevents the ceiling from becoming waterlogged and collapsing.

Step 5: Protect your belongings

Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the affected area. Lift items off the floor if there's standing water. If carpets are soaked, pull them up where possible to allow the floor underneath to dry.

Step 6: Call an emergency plumber

Once you've contained the situation, call a plumber. Our emergency team is available 24/7 and can typically reach South London and Kent addresses within 30-60 minutes. Call 020 3576 2747. While waiting, take photos of the damage for your insurance claim.

Prevention tips

To reduce the risk of burst pipes, lag exposed pipes in unheated areas before winter, keep your heating on a low setting during cold snaps even when you're away, know where your stopcock is and check it turns easily, and get your plumbing inspected annually.