What to do if a pipe bursts: an emergency guide for London homes

A burst pipe is one of the most urgent plumbing emergencies you can face. Water can cause lasting damage to floors, walls, ceilings and electrics in a very short time, so knowing what to do in the first few minutes matters.

For homeowners, landlords and businesses across London, a calm, ordered response limits the damage and gets the right engineer on site sooner. This guide covers what counts as an emergency, the steps to take, and how to get a 24/7 emergency plumber fast.

What counts as a plumbing emergency

Not every leak is urgent, but a burst pipe is. Call for help straight away if you have:

• Water pouring from a pipe, fitting or appliance.
• A visible pipe split, often near a frozen pipe or a recent temperature drop.
• Water coming through ceilings or walls.
• A loss of water pressure accompanied by a leak.
• Signs of water reaching electrics, such as a tripped circuit or crackling socket.

These situations need a same-day response, and a 24/7 plumber can attend outside normal working hours.

Step one: turn off the water

The single most important step is to stop the water supply. Find the internal stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink or where the main pipe enters the property, and turn it clockwise to close it. In a flat, the stopcock may be in a hallway cupboard or a communal plant room.

Next, open the cold taps and flush the toilets to drain the water that is still sitting in the pipes. This relieves pressure and slows the flow from the damaged pipe.

Step two: protect the property

Switch off the electrics at the consumer unit if water could reach sockets, switches or appliances. Move furniture, rugs and valuables away from the leak, and put buckets or towels under drips while you wait.

If the leak is near the boiler or gas supply, do not touch anything you are unsure about. Leave gas and electrics to the professionals.

Step three: call a 24/7 plumber

Once the water is off, contact an emergency plumber in London. Have your address, access details and a quick description of what happened ready, and share photos if you can. A good call-out process makes a big difference to how fast the job is resolved.

If you need help with an urgent repair, contact our team and we will take it from there.

After the emergency: prevention

Once the immediate problem is fixed, the best way to avoid a repeat is to prepare before the cold weather arrives. Insulating exposed pipes, leaving heating on a low setting and knowing where your stopcock is all help. Our guide to preventing frozen pipes explains how to protect your property ahead of winter.

For wider property upkeep, our London property maintenance checklist is a practical place to start, and our plumbing service covers leaks, pipework and emergency call-outs across London.

Water damage can also be covered by home insurance. The Thames Water site has practical guidance on managing leaks and protecting your property.