1. Locate and turn off the mains stopcock
Turning off the water at the mains stops a leak from running while you are away. Find your stopcock before you go and check that it turns. Leave the heating on a low setting in cold weather, as the next step explains.
If you are away for a long time, ask someone to check the house. They should know where the stopcock is. Our plumbers page can help if the stopcock is stiff.
2. Check for dripping taps and running cisterns
Walk through the house and check every tap, because small drips add up. A dripping tap wastes water and can stain basins. A running cistern wastes water too.
Fix small faults before you go, since they get worse while nobody is there. A plumber can replace a washer or valve quickly.
Check outside taps and hoses too. Turn off the outside tap supply if you have a valve for it. Because frost and leaks outside go unseen, a quick check is worth the time.
3. Check the boiler and heating settings
In cold weather, leave the heating on a low setting, since this protects pipes from frost. This helps stop pipes from freezing. Check the boiler pressure and look for any fault code.
Ask a heating engineer for advice if you are unsure of the best setting. Meanwhile, switch off appliances you do not need.
Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before you leave. Change flat batteries, since nobody will hear a faulty alarm. A working alarm gives peace of mind.
4. Check under sinks and behind appliances for drips
Look under every sink and behind the washing machine and dishwasher, because leaks hide there. Feel for damp. A small drip can do a lot of harm over a week or two.
Because these leaks are slow, they are easy to miss. See our guide on how to find a water leak for more tips.
5. Record the water meter reading
If you have a meter, note the reading before you go, since it shows leaks later. Check it again when you return. A big change shows a leak.
Take a photo of the meter. This gives you a record if you need to speak to your water company or insurer.
If you return to a flood
Turn off the water at the stopcock first, because that stops more damage. Switch off electrics only if you can do so safely. Take photos before you clean up.
Call your insurer and a plumber. Our guide on what to do when a pipe bursts has the steps. You can also request a free quote.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read Plumbing a Kitchen Extension: What You Need to Know First. You can also read 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When a Pipe Bursts at Home and Plumbing Jargon Explained: A Homeowner’s Guide to Key Terms, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Noisy Pipes: Water Hammer, Banging and What Causes It, 6 Ways to Protect Your Pipes from Freezing This Winter, New Bathroom or En-Suite: A Complete Drainage Planning Guide, Scale Inhibitors for UK Homes: Do They Actually Work? and Low Water Pressure: Causes, Diagnosis and Fixes in the UK. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our plumbing help page first, or see Plumbing Repairs in Canterbury and Plumbing Repairs in Cardigan. You can also see Leak Detection in Enfield, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
