Step 1: Turn off the mains water immediately
Find your stopcock and turn it clockwise until it stops. This cuts off the supply to the house. Do it first, because every minute adds to the damage.
The stopcock is often under the kitchen sink or near the front door. If it is stiff, use both hands. If it will not turn, use the outside valve if you have one.
Step 2: Turn off the central heating
Switch off the boiler so it does not try to refill the system, because that adds more water. This protects the boiler and the pump. If the burst is on a heating pipe, it also limits water loss.
Let the system cool before you touch pipes. Hot water can scald, so take care.
Step 3: Drain the system
Open all cold taps to drain the pipes, since that lowers the pressure. Flush toilets to empty the cisterns. This lowers the amount of water that can escape.
Do not turn the water back on until the pipe is repaired. Leave the taps open until the flow stops.
Step 4: Electricity — act with caution
Water and electricity are dangerous together. If water is near sockets, lights or the fuse board, switch off the power only if you can do so safely. Do not touch anything while standing in water.
If you cannot reach the fuse board safely, call an electrician. Keep everyone away from wet electrics, because safety comes first.
Step 5: Contain the water
Move belongings out of the way and lift rugs, because water ruins them fast. Use towels and buckets to catch drips. Place a bucket under a leaking ceiling and make a small hole to let the water drain, only if it is safe.
Take care with sagging ceilings, since they can fall. Stay clear of any bulge.
Step 6: Document everything before clearing up
Take photos and videos of the damage, since your insurer may ask for them. Note the time and what you did. Your insurer may ask for this.
Keep damaged items until the insurer says you can throw them away. Save receipts for any costs.
Step 7: Call an emergency plumber
Call a plumber to repair the pipe, because a proper repair lasts. Tell them where the burst is and what you have done. Ask what the visit covers before you agree.
You can use our site to ask for a free quote, and we will pass your details to a local plumber. Keep the water off until the repair is done.
What causes pipes to burst?
Freezing is a common cause, because ice expands inside the pipe. Old or corroded pipes can fail too. High pressure and poor fittings can also lead to bursts.
Knowing the cause helps you prevent another one. Ask your plumber what went wrong.
Can I repair a burst pipe myself?
A temporary repair may be possible with a repair clamp or tape, although it is only short term. This is only a short-term fix. Have a plumber make a proper repair.
Do not use a temporary fix on a gas pipe. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 0800 111 999.
After the repair: dry out properly
Open windows and use fans or a dehumidifier, since damp air causes mould. Check walls, floors and ceilings for damp. Dry the area fully, because trapped moisture causes mould.
Ask a builder to check if the damage is large. Check again after a few days.
Preventing burst pipes in winter
Insulate pipes in lofts and garages, because frost hits them first. Keep the heating on low when you are away. Know where your stopcock is.
Read our guide to how to protect pipes from freezing. A little care in autumn can save a great deal of trouble.
Related guides and local help
If you want to know more, read How to Find a Water Leak: Detection Methods and When to Call. You can also read Preparing Your Home’s Plumbing for Winter: A UK Guide and Leak Detection Methods: Acoustic, Thermal and Tracer Gas, because they cover closely related problems.
These guides help too: Gas Safety: What Every UK Homeowner Needs to Know Today, Leak Detection Cost Guide: What Changes the Price Most, Frozen Pipes: How to Prevent, Thaw and Cope After a Freeze, Bath vs Shower: Water Use, Running Costs and Drain Impact and Flooded Basement or Cellar: What to Do and How to Prevent It. Each one explains a related topic in plain English.
Need help near you? Read our plumbing help page first, or see Emergency Plumber in Brigg and Emergency Plumber in Brighouse. You can also see Plumbing Repairs in Downpatrick, since every service page has a free quote form. We pass each request to a local drainage engineer.
