Drains Cleared
Plumber repairing pipework in a bright domestic utility room

Plumbing services across the UK

From burst pipes to central heating powerflushing. Learn what to do, then send a free quote request to a local plumber.
  • Free, no-obligation quotes
  • Passed to a local drainage engineer
  • You choose whether to accept

Get your free quote

Free, with no obligation. We pass your request to a local drainage engineer.

Postcode

By submitting you agree to our privacy policy. We only use your details to handle your quote request.

Plumbing services

Choose a service to find a local engineer near you.

Common plumbing emergencies

If one of these matches your problem, take the first step below and then send a request.
  • Emergency

    Burst pipe

    Water pouring from a split pipe. Turn off the stopcock, which is often under the kitchen sink, because that limits the damage.

  • No hot water

    A failed immersion heater, a faulty valve or a cylinder fault can all cause this. However, a plumber needs to see it to find the cause.

  • Emergency

    Ceiling leak

    Water through a ceiling often means a failed joint or pipe above. A leak detection visit can help find it while the ceiling stays intact.

  • Boiler breakdown

    No heating in winter? Boiler repairs need a Gas Safe registered engineer because the law covers gas work. Ask to see their card.

Plumbing problems you can ask about

Some plumbing faults start in the drain. A damp patch on a bathroom ceiling may come from a waste pipe joint and not a supply leak. Tell us what you can see, because that helps the engineer find the cause.

A flooded airing cupboard often points to a failed cylinder valve, not the floor below. However, only an engineer who sees the fault can be sure. Ask them to explain what they find before you agree to any work.

Guarantees and warranties differ from one engineer to the next. Ask what they cover, and keep the receipt with your property papers, because you may need it later.

Get a free quote
  • Burst pipe repair and pipe replacement
  • Tap, valve and stopcock replacement
  • Toilet cistern and pan repairs
  • Immersion heater and hot-water cylinder work
  • Central heating powerflush
  • Non-invasive water leak detection
  • Bathroom and kitchen plumbing alterations
  • Macerator and Saniflo servicing
Plumber using acoustic leak detection equipment against wall in UK home

Non-invasive leak detection

Water leaks behind walls, under floors and beneath concrete can cause a lot of damage, because the water spreads out of sight. Finding a leak early can limit that damage.

Engineers can use listening equipment, pressure tests and thermal cameras to narrow down where a leak is. This can limit how much of the wall or floor they need to open. However, some repairs still need access.

  • Listening equipment for buried pipe leaks
  • Thermal imaging for underfloor and ceiling leaks
  • Pressure-decay testing for supply systems
  • Tracer gas for hard-to-find leaks
  • A written report, if your insurer asks for one
Request leak detection

Central heating powerflush

A powerflush pushes water through a central heating system to shift sludge, rust and limescale. Left alone, sludge can block radiators, strain the pump and damage the boiler.

Not every cold radiator needs one, however. Trapped air or a stuck valve can look the same, so ask the engineer to check the system first. Ask what the job includes and what they fit or add afterwards.

  • Cold radiator spots
  • Black bleed water
  • Kettling boiler
  • Frequent bleeds needed
  • Pump noise
If several of these match your system, ask an engineer to check it.
Powerflush service
Engineer connecting powerflush equipment to central heating radiator
Engineer working on a boiler

Gas Safe and plumbing qualifications

By law, anyone who works on gas appliances must be on the Gas Safe Register. The register lists engineers by name, with the types of gas work each one can do. Ask to see the engineer's ID card, because you can check it on the Gas Safe Register website.

We pass your request to a local engineer, so we cannot vouch for their qualifications. Ask about them, because it is your choice, before you agree to any work. For water fittings, WaterSafe lists approved plumbers.

  • Gas work: check the engineer's Gas Safe ID card
  • Water fittings: ask about WaterSafe approval
  • Ask whether the engineer holds public liability insurance
  • Get the price and any guarantee in writing

How a plumbing request works

You send a request, and a local engineer contacts you with a price.
  1. 01

    Send a request

    Describe the problem and give your postcode. We pass your request to a local engineer.

  2. 02

    Agree the price

    The engineer contacts you and looks at the job. Ask for a price in writing, because it avoids disputes later.

  3. 03

    Check the terms

    Ask what the work includes and what the engineer guarantees. Keep the receipt and any warranty papers, because you may need them for a claim.

Related guides: 7 signs you need a power flush 5 pipe burst mistakes Protect pipes from freezing

Plumbing FAQs

Who can work on gas appliances?
Anyone who works on gas appliances must be on the Gas Safe Register by law. Ask to see the engineer's Gas Safe ID card and check it on the Gas Safe Register website. We pass your request to a local engineer, and we cannot confirm their qualifications for you.
How quickly can an emergency plumber attend?
We cannot promise a time. The plumber who takes your request decides when they can attend, and some do not take out-of-hours work. Say that the job is urgent, and ask for an arrival time when they contact you.
Can a leak be found without tearing out walls?
Often, yes. Engineers can use listening equipment, thermal cameras, moisture meters and tracer gas to find where water escapes. Opening up the wall or floor may still be needed to make the repair.
What is a powerflush and does my heating need one?
A powerflush pushes water through the central heating system at speed to shake loose sludge and rust. Cold patches at the bottom of radiators, black water when you bleed them and poor circulation are common signs of sludge. Other faults look similar, so ask an engineer to check the system first.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
The price depends on the fault, the time of day, the parts and the plumber. Some charge more out of hours. Ask for the price before you agree to the visit, and ask whether parts cost extra.
Can older lead pipework be repaired?
Lead pipes can raise the lead level in drinking water. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says homes built before 1970 may have them, and you can ask your water company to test your tap water. Ask a plumber about replacing lead pipes in your home.
Is a dripping tap too small a job?
No. A dripping tap is a common repair. A dripping hot tap wastes heated water, and a dripping cold tap can add to your bill if you have a water meter. The plumber may replace a washer, a cartridge or the whole valve, depending on the tap.
What qualifications should I look for in a plumber?
For work on water fittings, WaterSafe lists approved plumbers. For gas, check the Gas Safe Register. We pass your request to a local engineer, so ask them about their qualifications and insurance before you agree to the work.

Need a plumber? Send a free quote request

Tell us the problem and your postcode, because the engineer needs both. We pass your request to a local engineer.

Get your free quote Emergency plumber