What to do when a pipe bursts: a safe step-by-step plan

If a pipe bursts, isolate the water first, keep people away from electrical danger and call a plumber. Do not spend time looking for repair materials while water continues escaping. The numbered sequence below focuses on limiting damage safely; skip any action that would mean entering standing water or approaching unsafe electrics.

A safe sequence for containing a burst pipe

1. Turn off the incoming water. Close your internal stopcock, normally clockwise, without forcing it. If you cannot find it, use our main stop tap location and operation guide. Avoid dismantling valves or entering flooded cupboards. If it will not close, tell the plumber immediately; an external stop tap may need the water supplier's help, particularly on a shared supply.
2. Isolate electricity if water threatens sockets or fittings. Switch off at the consumer unit only if you can reach and operate it safely from a dry position with dry hands. Never touch electrics with wet hands or stand in water. Do not approach a wet consumer unit, socket, switch or appliance. Keep everyone clear and seek urgent advice from a qualified electrician; call the emergency services if there is immediate danger.
3. Switch off the heating and boiler. Use normal controls only where they are dry and safely accessible. Do not touch a wet appliance or remove its casing. Stopping heat input is important before draining water. If you cannot safely reach the controls, withdraw and tell the attending professionals. Boiler internal inspection or repair belongs to a Gas Safe registered engineer.
4. Open cold taps to release stored pressure. Once the incoming supply is isolated, open accessible cold taps, preferably starting with a low-level outlet. Water may continue running from storage tanks or pipework. Keep wastes clear and watch that basins do not overflow. This reduces escaping water but does not prove every part of the installation is empty.
5. Let hot water drain cautiously. With heat sources off, open an accessible hot tap carefully if safe, keeping people clear of potentially scalding water. Stored hot water can remain hot long after shutdown. Do not undo cylinder connections, operate safety valves or attempt to empty a cylinder yourself. Unvented systems require a G3-qualified engineer. If unsure what system you have, leave the hot side to the plumber.
6. Catch water and protect belongings. Place buckets or trays where reachable without risk, and move valuables away from the wet area. Use towels to contain shallow spills. Stay out from beneath a bulging ceiling: trapped water and damaged plaster can fall. Do not puncture it yourself. Keep children and pets away from slippery surfaces and affected rooms.
7. Use temporary containment only where safe. A towel and bucket may catch residual drips. A suitable pipe repair clamp or repair tape may help on an accessible pipe after isolation, following its instructions, but neither replaces a proper repair. Do not attempt this on hot pipes, near electrics or where access is unsafe. Never restore the supply merely because a temporary patch appears dry.
8. Call a plumber and explain the isolation status. Say where the pipe has failed, whether water is still flowing, whether electrics are affected and whether the stopcock closed. Our emergency plumbing service can assess the damage and required repair. Do not switch the boiler back on or reopen the water until advised it is safe.
9. Record damage for your insurer. Once the situation is safe, take photographs of the pipe, affected rooms and damaged items. Note when you discovered the escape and the steps taken. Contact your insurer for its reporting requirements and retain relevant repair paperwork. Documentation must never delay isolation or put you back into an unsafe area.

Why water may continue after you close the stopcock

A loft tank or cylinder can still hold water, and some valves fail to shut completely. The leak might also be on pipework upstream of your internal valve. Continued flow is a reason for further professional isolation, not repeated tightening with extra leverage. Do not assume that a stopped drip means electrical equipment is safe to use.

If the source is concealed, arrange help locating the water leak. A plumber may need controlled access to inspect damaged pipework. Electrical equipment that has become wet needs assessment by a qualified electrician before reuse, even after surfaces appear dry.

Reduce the chance of a freeze-related repeat

Insulate vulnerable pipes in lofts, garages and other cold areas with suitable lagging, including exposed bends where practical. Repair gaps in insulation and have vulnerable routes assessed. When away during freezing weather, keep heating on a suitable low setting where safe, following your system instructions. Heating cannot protect every remote pipe, so arrange checks and consider professional advice about isolation during longer absences.

If a pipe is frozen but has not burst, avoid naked flames and intense direct heat. A suspected split may only reveal itself when ice thaws; know how to isolate the water and obtain advice before leaving it unattended.

For help with a burst pipe, call 01732 444555. For follow-up repair enquiries once the immediate danger is contained, use our quote form and describe what happened.