Water escapes fast. A burst 15 mm pipe can release hundreds of litres an hour, so what you do in the first few minutes makes a huge difference to the clean-up bill.
1. Turn off the water at the stopcock
The internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet, under the stairs or where the water pipe enters the building. Turn it clockwise until it stops. In flats it may be in a cupboard in the hallway or bathroom. Find yours today, before you need it.
If the internal stopcock won't budge, there's usually an external stop tap under a small cover in the pavement outside — you'll need a stopcock key.
2. Make electrics safe
If water is near sockets, light fittings or the consumer unit, switch off the electricity at the main switch — but only if you can reach it without standing in water.
3. Drain the system
Open all cold taps to drain the pipes, and flush toilets. If the leak is from the hot water or heating system, turn off the boiler and open hot taps too.
4. Contain and protect
Put buckets under drips and move valuables. If water is pooling in a ceiling and it's bulging, carefully pierce the lowest point with a screwdriver over a bucket — it's better than the ceiling coming down.
5. Warn neighbours and take photos
In a flat, tell the people below. Photograph the damage for your insurer before you start clearing up.
6. Call an emergency plumber
Our 24-hour emergency plumbers cover North and Central London from our base in Finsbury Park. Call us and we'll stay on the line while you isolate the water.
If you smell gas
This is different. Get everyone out, don't touch switches, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
Need a hand?
Our plumbers and heating engineers are available 24/7 across North and Central London.