How to Deal With a Burst Pipe

A burst water pipe can cause damage quickly. The first priorities are keeping clear of electrical hazards, stopping the water if safe and arranging a plumber.

What to do immediately if a pipe bursts

1. Check for electrical danger. If water is reaching sockets, lights, appliances or electrical equipment, keep away. Do not touch wet switches or walk through standing water to reach the consumer unit. Have the electrical risk dealt with by an appropriate professional; if there is an immediate danger, move to safety and call the emergency services.
2. Stop the water if it is safe. Turn off your home's internal stopcock, commonly found beneath the kitchen sink, in a cupboard or near where the supply enters the property. Do not enter an unsafe or flooded area to reach it.
3. Contact a plumber. Explain where the leak is, how much water is escaping and whether you have managed to isolate the supply. Use plumbing services for professional assessment and repair.
4. Protect belongings only when safe. Move valuables away from dry, accessible areas. Once electrical and other hazards have been dealt with, begin mopping up and drying. Do not use powered cleaning equipment in an unsafe wet area.

If you rent your home, notify the landlord or managing agent promptly. If damage is extensive, contact your insurer and keep photographs and notes of what happened, without delaying essential emergency measures.

How can you recognise a burst or leaking supply pipe?

Obvious signs include water spraying or pouring from pipework, a rapidly spreading damp patch, a ceiling leak or a sudden unexpected loss of pressure. A hidden leak may cause unusual water-meter activity or recurring damp, but none of these signs proves the exact cause by itself.

If water is coming through a ceiling, keep clear of sagging plaster or light fittings. The location of visible water may not be the location of the failed pipe.

Why do pipes burst?

Frozen water can expand inside a pipe and cause splitting. Older or corroded pipework, damaged joints, movement and unusually high pressure can also contribute to failure. A blocked sink waste is a different problem from a burst pressurised supply pipe and should not be described as a usual cause of one.

Reducing the risk in future

• Know where the stopcock is and check that it remains accessible.
• Protect exposed or vulnerable pipework from freezing, using appropriate insulation and heating arrangements.
• Arrange attention for persistent small leaks, staining or corrosion before they worsen.
• Ask a plumber to investigate recurring pressure problems rather than assuming every home needs a pressure regulator.

For further advice about recognising smaller leaks, see our guide to detecting and preventing water leaks. A professional repair should address the cause, not merely cover the leak temporarily.