What to Do in a Plumbing Emergency: A Homeowner's Guide

A plumbing emergency rarely happens at a convenient time. A burst pipe, an overflowing toilet or a leak coming through the ceiling can cause serious damage within minutes. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can save you a lot of money and stress while you wait for help to arrive.

What counts as a plumbing emergency?

Not every plumbing problem needs a call-out in the middle of the night. A dripping tap or a slow drain can usually wait until morning. Treat it as an emergency when you see any of these:

What to do, step by step

1. Make sure everyone is safe

   Safety comes before the plumbing. If water is near sockets, appliances or the fuse board, switch the electricity off at the consumer unit, but only if you can reach it without standing in water. If you cannot do this safely, stay away and call an electrician or the emergency services.

2. Turn off the water at the stopcock

   The main stopcock stops water entering your home. It is usually under the kitchen sink, but it may also be in a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, garage or under the stairs. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is stiff, do not force it with tools.

   If the leak comes from a single appliance, such as a washing machine, toilet or tap, there is often an isolation valve nearby that shuts off just that supply.

3. Drain the system

   Once the water is off, open your cold taps and flush the toilet to drain what is left in the pipes. This reduces the amount of water that can escape. If the leak involves the hot water system, turn off your boiler or immersion heater so it does not run dry or overheat.

4. Limit the damage

   • Move furniture, rugs and valuables away from the water.
   • Use buckets, bowls or towels to catch drips and stop water spreading.
   • If water is pooling in a bulging ceiling, carefully make a small hole to let it drain into a bucket. This relieves the pressure and can stop the whole ceiling collapsing.
   • Take photos and videos of the damage for an insurance claim.

5. Call an emergency plumber

   Once the situation is safe, call a qualified emergency plumber. Tell them what has happened, where the water is coming from and whether you have managed to turn it off, so they can bring the right tools and parts first time. Our engineers cover the UK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can read our transparent rates before you call.

If you smell gas

Do and don't

Check your insurance

Home insurance or a home emergency policy may cover the repair or the resulting damage. Check your policy documents, and keep any receipts and photos. Your insurer may have specific requirements about who carries out the work, so it is worth asking early.

How to be prepared next time

• Know where your stopcock is, and check it turns easily at least once a year.
• Keep a torch, a bucket and our number somewhere easy to find.
• Insulate exposed pipes and lofts before winter to help prevent frozen pipes.
• Have your boiler serviced every year.

Frequently asked questions