What to Do Before an Emergency Plumber Arrives

No one plans for a burst pipe or an overflowing toilet. It’s stressful, noisy and usually happens at the worst possible time. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do in the first few minutes to limit damage while you wait for your emergency plumber to arrive.

Step 1: Turn off the water (if it’s safe to do so)

If water is gushing or spraying, the fastest way to protect your home is to shut off the supply. For most UK homes this means turning the main stop tap clockwise until it stops.

• Look under the kitchen sink – this is the most common place for the stop tap.
• If it’s not there, check in the downstairs toilet, utility room, or a cupboard close to where the water pipe comes into the house.
• If you live in a flat, your stop tap may be in a communal cupboard or service area – the building management should be able to tell you.

If you can’t find the main stop tap, look for isolating valves near the problem. These are small valves on the pipework that can be turned with a flat-head screwdriver or a small lever.

Step 2: Make the area safe

• Keep children and pets away from the leak.
• Avoid walking through standing water near sockets, appliances or extension leads.
• If water is coming through a light fitting or ceiling, stay clear of the area and turn the electrics off at the consumer unit if you can do so safely.

Step 3: Protect your home from further damage

• Put towels, buckets or bowls under the leak to catch water.
• Move furniture, rugs and anything electrical out of the way.
• If the ceiling is bulging with water, do not poke it – that’s a job for a professional.

Information that really helps your plumber

• Where the problem is (kitchen sink, upstairs toilet, cylinder cupboard, etc.).
• Roughly how long it’s been leaking or overflowing.
• Anything you’ve already tried, like turning off the stop tap.
• Photos or a short video – these often help us bring the right parts first time.

Once you’ve done what you safely can, the best thing is to wait for your engineer. Don’t be tempted to take fittings apart unless you’re confident. A few calm steps at the start can save a lot of damage, cost and stress later.