Water is pouring through the ceiling and you need to act fast. Here’s what to do with a burst pipe: turn off the water at the stopcock straight away, switch off electrics near the leak if it’s safe, then open the cold taps to drain the system. Once the water’s off, call us on 07557 373 042 and we’ll arrange a plumber to repair the pipe. The steps below cover the rest, for homes across Surrey.
Step 1: Turn off the water
The internal stopcock controls the mains water supply into your home. It’s usually under the kitchen sink, but it can be in a downstairs toilet, utility room, garage or under the stairs. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
If the stopcock won’t turn, don’t force it with tools and risk snapping it. Look for the outside stop tap, usually under a small cover near the boundary or pavement. You may need a stop tap key. If you can’t turn the water off at all, call your water supplier.
Step 2: Make the electrics safe
If water is coming through a ceiling near a light fitting, or is near sockets, switch off the power at the consumer unit if you can reach it without standing in water. If you can’t do that safely, keep clear and wait for help.
If a ceiling is bulging or sagging with water, stay out from under it.
Step 3: Drain the water from the pipes
With the stopcock off, open all the cold taps in the house to drain the remaining water out of the pipes. Flush the toilets too. This reduces the amount of water that can escape from the burst.
If the burst is on the hot water side, turn off your boiler or immersion heater, then open the hot taps.
Step 4: Limit the damage
- Put buckets or bowls under drips
- Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the way
- Soak up standing water with towels
- Take photos of the damage for your insurer
Check your home insurance policy, as many cover escape of water damage.
Why pipes burst in winter
Most winter bursts happen when water in a pipe freezes and expands. The pipe splits while frozen, but the leak only shows once it thaws, often on a milder morning after a cold night.
Pipes most at risk are those in lofts, garages, outbuildings, under suspended floors and on outside walls.
How to stop pipes freezing in Surrey homes
Surrey winters are usually fairly mild, but a few nights well below zero are enough to freeze exposed pipes. Some simple steps help:
- Lag pipes in the loft, garage and any unheated spaces
- Insulate the cold water tank in the loft, but not underneath it, so warmth can rise from below
- Fix dripping taps, as a slow drip can freeze and block a pipe
- Turn off and drain outside taps before the first frost
- Keep the heating on low if you’re going away during cold weather
If you think a pipe has frozen but hasn’t burst, turn off the water and thaw it gently with a hot water bottle or hairdryer on a low setting. Never use a naked flame.
When to call a plumber
Once the water’s off and the area is safe, a plumber can find the burst, replace the damaged section and check nearby pipework for other weak spots. If the leak was from the heating system and the boiler pressure has dropped, a heating engineer will also need to check the boiler before it runs again. Our service and repairs page explains how we help with boiler faults.
Frequently asked questions
Where is my stopcock likely to be?
Most often under the kitchen sink, near where the mains supply enters the house. Other common spots are a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, garage or under the stairs. Find it now and check it turns, so you’re not searching for it in an emergency.
Can I fix a burst pipe myself?
A temporary repair clamp or tape can slow a small leak until a plumber arrives, but it isn’t a permanent fix. Pipe repairs need to be done properly to avoid another leak, particularly on pressurised or hot water pipework. Turn the water off first and get the pipe repaired.
Will my insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many home insurance policies cover damage from escape of water, but they may not cover the cost of repairing the pipe itself. Some policies also require you to take reasonable steps to prevent freezing. Check your policy wording and contact your insurer as soon as you can.
Should I leave my heating on to stop pipes freezing?
During a cold spell, keeping the heating on low, or using a frost setting if your boiler or thermostat has one, helps protect pipes. This is especially worth doing if you’re away from home for a few days in freezing weather.
Pipe burst or worried about one freezing?
If you’ve got a burst pipe or want exposed pipework protected before the frosts, give us a call on 07557 373 042 or drop us a message and we’ll get it fixed and check the pipework around it too.
