Burst pipe? Turn off the water, then call us
A burst water pipe can soak a room in minutes. Here's what to do right now, and how fast we can get a plumber to you anywhere in London.
You hear a hiss behind the kitchen units. Or you come downstairs and the hallway carpet squelches. Somewhere a pipe has split, and water is going everywhere.
First, don't panic. A burst pipe looks frightening, but you can usually stop the water yourself in under a minute.
What to do right now
- Turn off your stopcock. It's usually under the kitchen sink. Turn it clockwise until it stops. Not sure where it is? See how to find your stopcock.
- Switch off electrics near the water at your fuse box. Never touch a switch with wet hands.
- Turn on your cold taps. This drains the water left in the pipes.
- Turn off your boiler or immersion heater.
- Call us. We'll stay on the phone if you need help with any of this.
What happens when you call
A real person answers, day or night. We ask where the water is coming from and where you are, then send the nearest free plumber. You get a text with their name and arrival time. We aim to be with you within 60 minutes. London traffic and busy periods can sometimes make it longer. If that happens, we'll tell you straight away and keep you updated, so you always know when we'll arrive.
How we fix a burst pipe
Our plumber finds exactly where the pipe has failed. They cut out the damaged section and fit new pipe and fittings. Our vans carry copper and plastic pipe, valves and the common fittings, so most burst pipes are fixed on the first visit.
If the leaking pipe is behind a wall or under the floor, we open up the smallest area we can. We always tell you before we do it. Then we test the repair under pressure and check nearby pipes for other weak spots.
Why pipes burst
In winter, it's often frozen pipes in lofts, garages and outside walls. The rest of the year it's usually old, corroded pipework, which is common in older London houses and flat conversions. A nail or screw through a hidden pipe during DIY is another regular cause.
Whatever caused it, the fix starts the same way: stop the water, then call a plumber.
How a callout works
- You call. A real person answers and talks you through making it safe.
- We dispatch the nearest free engineer and text you their name and arrival time. We aim for 60 minutes, and if traffic or a busy night means longer, we tell you straight away.
- The engineer diagnoses the fault and gives you a fixed price before starting.
- We fix it, tidy up and email your invoice and photos.
See our callout prices. If you decide not to go ahead after the quote, you pay only the callout.
Related help guides
Common questions
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn off your stopcock straight away. It's usually under the kitchen sink. Then switch off electrics near the water, turn on the cold taps to drain the pipes, and call an emergency plumber.
How quickly can you fix a burst pipe in London?
We aim to be with you within 60 minutes anywhere in Greater London. Heavy traffic or a very busy night can make it longer, and if so we'll tell you honestly and keep you updated. Most burst pipes are fixed on the first visit.
Where is my stopcock?
In most homes it's under the kitchen sink. It can also be by the front door, under the stairs, in a downstairs toilet or in a cupboard in a flat. See our stopcock guide for photos and tips.
Will my insurance pay for a burst pipe?
Many home insurance policies cover water damage from a burst pipe, but check yours. We give you photos, a short report and an itemised invoice to send to your insurer.
What if I can't turn the water off?
Call us straight away. We'll talk you through other ways to stop the water. If your stopcock is stuck, our plumber can replace it.