Key points.
- Put personal safety before property damage.
- Keep clear of water near electrics.
- Turn off the internal stopcock only when it is safe to reach.
- Move belongings and contain water where practical.
- Take useful photos only if doing so is safe.
- Call an emergency plumber with the postcode and a clear description.
Make the area safe first
A burst pipe can release a large amount of water quickly, but the first decision is not how to protect the floor or ceiling. It is whether anyone is at risk. Keep children, pets and other occupants away from the affected room if water is spreading or falling from above.
Be particularly careful around electrical sockets, light fittings, appliances and extension leads. Do not touch wet switches or equipment. If the water is entering a ceiling, remember that the ceiling itself may become heavy and unstable. Do not stand directly below bulging plasterboard.
Turn off the water supply if it is safe
If you know where the internal stopcock is and you can reach it without entering a hazardous area, turn it clockwise to close the incoming water supply.
After closing it, open a cold tap to reduce water remaining under pressure in the system. Do not force a seized valve. If you cannot find or operate the stopcock safely, tell the plumber that the supply is still running.
Limit the spread of water
Once the immediate safety risks are controlled, move furniture, electrical items, rugs and valuables away from the water. Use buckets or containers where they can be positioned safely.
If the leak is above a ceiling or inside a wall, do not cut into the structure simply to find the pipe. Hidden plumbing may be close to cables, and removing finishes can make damage worse without identifying the actual failure.
Give the plumber useful information
When you call, give the full postcode, the room affected and where the water appears to be coming from. Say whether you have turned off the stopcock, whether water is still escaping and whether any electrical fittings are affected.
Photos can be helpful for visible pipework or damage when they can be taken safely. A clear description helps distinguish between a burst pipe, a leaking fitting, a failed valve or another fault before attendance is arranged.
What can cause a pipe to burst?
A pipe can fail for several reasons. Freezing can increase pressure in vulnerable pipework, while corrosion can weaken older metal pipes. Movement, accidental impact, poor joints, failed fittings and excessive pressure can also cause leaks or sudden failure. The visible point where water appears is not always the place where the pipe has failed.
A plumber may need to inspect the surrounding pipework before deciding whether a local repair is suitable or whether a section should be replaced. If water has travelled through a ceiling or wall, the source should be identified before damaged finishes are repaired.
What happens after the leak is stopped?
Stopping the water is only the first stage. The damaged pipe or fitting still needs a permanent repair, and the affected area may need time to dry. If water has entered flooring, ceilings, cupboards or neighbouring rooms, photograph the damage for your own records once the area is safe.
For London properties, you can also read our leak detection and repair page if the source is unclear, or the burst pipe repair page for the dedicated service.