7 Common Signs You Need an Emergency Plumber

Most plumbing problems start small. A slow drain or a faint drip does not always need a late-night call-out, but some warning signs mean you should get help straight away. Acting fast can stop a minor fault becoming a flooded kitchen, a damaged ceiling or an expensive insurance claim.

The 7 warning signs

1. Water you cannot stop

   A burst pipe or a failed fitting can release a large amount of water quickly. If you cannot stop the flow by turning off the isolation valve or the main stopcock, call an emergency plumber immediately. Our guide on what to do if a pipe bursts explains the first steps.

2. Stains, bulges or drips on ceilings and walls

   A brown stain, a sagging patch or water dripping from a light fitting usually means a leak above. Water can collect inside a ceiling and bring it down. If water is near electrics, switch off the power at the consumer unit only if it is safe to reach it, and keep away from the area.

3. Sewage smells or an overflowing toilet

   A foul smell, waste water coming up through a drain, or a toilet that overflows is unhygienic as well as damaging. Avoid contact with the water and keep children and pets away. This is a job for a professional with the right equipment.

4. No water, or a sudden drop in pressure

   If water stops completely or the pressure falls sharply, first check whether neighbours are affected, as it may be a supply problem. If it is only your property, there could be a hidden leak or a fault with your stopcock or pipework.

5. No heating or hot water in cold weather

   A broken boiler in winter is more than an inconvenience, especially with children, older people or anyone vulnerable at home. See our guide on what to do when your boiler stops working for checks you can safely try first.

6. Several drains blocked or gurgling at once

   One slow sink is usually a local blockage. If the sink, bath, toilet and washing machine all drain slowly or gurgle together, the problem is likely further along the main drain and needs professional equipment. Read more about what causes a blocked drain.

7. A leaking boiler or repeated pressure loss

   Water dripping from your boiler, or a pressure gauge that keeps dropping, points to a fault that should be looked at by a qualified engineer. Do not remove the boiler casing yourself.

If you smell gas

Signs that can usually wait

Not everything is urgent. A slowly dripping tap, a running toilet or a single slow drain can normally be fixed at a normal appointment. Turn off the water to that fitting if you can, and book a visit for the next working day, which is often cheaper than an out-of-hours call-out. You can see our rates for scheduled and emergency work.

While you wait for the plumber

• Turn off the water at the stopcock if there is a leak.
• Move belongings away from the water and use buckets to catch drips.
• Take photos of the damage for your insurer.
• Keep the area clear so the engineer can get to the problem quickly.

Our full checklist is in What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency.

Frequently asked questions