What should I do in a plumbing emergency?
The short answer
Turn the water off at the stopcock, then open the cold taps to drain the pipes down. If water is anywhere near electrics, turn the power off at the consumer unit. Then call a plumber. If you can smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 instead — that comes before everything else.
Also asked: What should I do if a pipe bursts?
The order matters, because the first minute does more to limit the damage than the next hour does.
Stopcock first. It's usually under the kitchen sink, and it closes clockwise. With the mains shut off, open the cold taps around the house — that empties the pipework so whatever's leaking has less to leak, and it stops water tracking through ceilings while you wait.
Electrics second. Water and electricity in the same ceiling void is the genuinely dangerous part of a leak, and it's the reason not to stand in a puddle poking at a light fitting. If there's any doubt at all, kill the power at the consumer unit.
Then contain what you can — a bucket, a towel, a bowl under the drip — and ring for a plumber. A photo or two while you wait is genuinely useful: it tells your plumber what to bring.
- 1. Water off at the stopcock (turn it clockwise)
- 2. Open the cold taps to drain the pipes
- 3. Power off at the consumer unit if water is near electrics
- 4. Contain the water, then call a plumber
- Smell gas? Call 0800 111 999, open windows, leave the house
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