What to Do When a Pipe Bursts: A Leicester Plumber's Guide

A burst pipe can cause serious water damage to your home within minutes. The faster you act, the less damage occurs. If you discover a burst pipe, here's what you need to do in the first few minutes, followed by what we do when we arrive.

Step by Step: What to Do Right Now

1. Turn off the stopcock

This is the most important step. Your stopcock (also called the mains water shut-off or ball valve) is usually located under the kitchen sink, near the front door, or in the garage. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. If water is still flowing from the burst pipe, you have found the right valve.

2. Turn off the heating

If the burst is in your central heating system or hot water pipes, turn off your boiler immediately. This prevents hot water from continuing to flow and causing more damage.

3. Open taps to drain remaining water

Open cold taps throughout the house to drain any water remaining in the pipes between the burst and the stopcock. This reduces pressure and stops water from continuing to flow out.

4. Contain the leak

Put towels, buckets, or anything absorbent under the burst pipe to catch water. If water has started dripping into ceilings or walls below, place buckets to catch it. This protects your property from water damage.

5. Call a plumber

Once you have turned off the stopcock, call us on 07949 099363. We are available 24/7 for emergencies. Tell us where the burst is, whether water has entered your home, and whether anyone is at the property.

How to Find Your Stopcock

Many homeowners do not know where their stopcock is until there is an emergency. The best time to find it is now, while there is no pressure.

• Under the kitchen sink: Check the cupboard under the kitchen sink. Look for a small tap or handle in a small box in the floor or the wall.
• Near the front door: Some homes have the stopcock near the main entrance, either under a small metal plate in the floor or on the wall of the hallway.
• In the garage or utility room: Check these spaces, especially in older homes or properties with basements.
• Outside the property: In some cases, the stopcock is located outside on the street, near the boundary. It will be in a plastic or metal box.

Once you find it, make a note of its location. Ideally, test it gently by turning it clockwise about a quarter turn, then turn it back. This confirms it works and you will know exactly what to do in an emergency.

What We Do When We Get There

Once we arrive, we follow a systematic process to fix the burst and check for further damage.

• Isolate the leak: We confirm the stopcock is fully closed and check whether the burst is in copper, plastic, or another pipe type.
• Temporary or permanent repair: Depending on the burst location and pipe type, we may make a temporary repair to get your water back on, or proceed straight to a permanent fix.
• Check for water damage: We inspect the area around the burst for signs of water entering walls, ceilings, or other parts of your home.

Most burst pipe repairs take under two hours from arrival to completion. We will explain what caused the burst and advise on whether there are any underlying issues we have spotted.

How Much Does a Burst Pipe Repair Cost?

Emergency call outs typically fall between £100 and £400. The exact price depends on the time of day you call, the complexity of the burst, and what needs to be done to fix it.

• Emergency call out fee: £100-£250 depending on the time of day and travel distance.
• Repair: £50-£200 for most straightforward burst pipe repairs, depending on pipe type and access.

We always give you a clear price before we start any repair work. No hidden charges. If the repair is more complex than first diagnosis suggests, we will discuss options with you before proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions