Burst Pipe Emergency Guide

A burst pipe can release a surprising amount of water in a very short time, but acting quickly can significantly reduce damage to your home.

This guide explains the steps to take to make the situation safe, limit water damage and begin protecting your property.

If it is safe to do so, turn off your home's main stopcock immediately.

Stopping the flow of water as quickly as possible is the most effective way to reduce damage to your home.

If water is close to electrical sockets, appliances or wiring, do not touch anything electrical.

If it is safe to do so, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit before entering the affected area.

Never stand in water while handling electrical equipment.

Use towels, buckets or FloodFort flood bags to help prevent water spreading to other areas of your home.

Position the flood bags where they will help contain the water and protect nearby rooms while the leak is being dealt with.

Move furniture, electrical items and valuable possessions away from the affected area if it is safe to do so.

Lifting items clear of standing water can help reduce damage and make the clean-up process easier.

Once the water has been stopped and the situation is safe, arrange for a qualified plumber to repair or replace the damaged pipe.

Temporary repairs may stop the immediate leak, but a permanent repair is important to help prevent the problem happening again.

FloodFort Tip

Keep your FloodFort Kit somewhere easy to access so you can respond quickly if a burst pipe occurs.

Having your FloodFort flood bags ready before an emergency happens can help reduce water damage while you arrange repairs.

If the burst pipe cannot be controlled, or you discover significant water damage, contact a qualified plumber as soon as possible.

If you're making an insurance claim, take photographs of the damage before beginning any major clean-up, where it is safe to do so.