A burst pipe is one of the few plumbing problems where what you do in the first five minutes genuinely matters. Water damage compounds fast.
Here's what to do, in order.
1. Turn off the water supply immediately
Find your stopcock — usually under the kitchen sink, or where the supply pipe enters the building. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water. If you're not sure where it is, find it now, before you ever need it.
If you can't locate the stopcock or it won't turn, call your water supplier. They can shut it off at the street.
2. Turn off your boiler and heating
Hot water systems are pressurised. Switching the heating off prevents the system from pumping more hot water into the damaged area and reduces the risk of scalding.
3. Drain the cold water from the taps
Once the supply is off, open every cold tap in the house and let them run dry. This empties the pipes above the burst and reduces the volume of water that can escape.
4. Collect the water — protect what you can
Use buckets, towels, containers — anything. Move electronics, valuables, and furniture away from the affected area. Water travels further than it looks, especially through ceilings.
5. If the ceiling is bulging, puncture it in one spot
A water-filled ceiling can collapse suddenly across a large area. If you see it bulging, pierce it at the lowest point with a screwdriver to let it drain in a controlled way into a bucket. One hole is better than a collapse.
6. Document everything before you dry up
Take photos and video immediately — before cleanup. Your insurer will need evidence of the damage and its extent.
7. Call a Gas Safe or qualified plumber
Once the immediate risk is managed, you need the pipe repaired properly. A temporary patch isn't a long-term fix — the cause of the burst (frozen pipes, corrosion, excess pressure) needs addressing too.
Preventing it next time
- Know where your stopcock is — every adult in the house should know
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces (lofts, garages, under floors)
- If you're going away in winter, leave the heating on a low timer rather than off completely
- Have your system checked if it's older than 15 years
If you've had a burst pipe and you're in Hemel Hempstead, Ealing, or NW London — get in touch. We'll assess the damage, fix the pipe, and advise on what caused it.