If you have a burst pipe, turn the water off at the stopcock first, then call 07427 195142. Burst pipe repair is part of our general plumbing work for homes, landlords and businesses: we find the split or failed joint, cut out the damaged length and replace it, then turn the supply back on and check for weeps. We also repair leaking waste pipes, the plastic pipes under sinks, baths and showers that carry water away rather than bringing it in.
First steps with a burst water pipe
The stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, in a utility cupboard or where the supply pipe comes up through the floor. Turn it clockwise until it stops. Then open the cold taps to drain what is left in the pipes, switch off any electrics near the water if it is safe to reach the consumer unit, and move belongings out of the way. Our guide on what to do when a pipe bursts goes through this step by step.
If you live in a flat and water is coming through the ceiling, it may be coming from the flat above. Let your neighbour or factor know straight away, because the stopcock that matters may be in their property.
Do I have a burst pipe?
A burst is not always a fountain. Signs worth checking include:
- Water dripping through a ceiling or running down a wall
- A damp patch on a floor or skirting that keeps growing
- The sound of running water when every tap is off
- Low or no pressure at the taps
- A water meter that keeps turning with nothing in use
Frozen pipes
Water expands as it freezes, and a pipe in a loft, garage or outside wall can split during a cold spell. Often nothing shows until the thaw, when the ice melts and water escapes through the crack. If a tap stops running in freezing weather, the pipe feeding it may be frozen. Turn off the stopcock, open the tap and warm the pipe gently with a hairdryer or warm cloth, working from the tap end back. Never use a naked flame. Lagging exposed pipework is the simplest way to stop it happening again.
Leaking pipe under a sink
A drip under the kitchen sink is more often a waste pipe fault than a burst supply pipe. The usual culprits are a loose trap nut, a perished seal, a cracked plastic fitting, or a joint that was never pushed fully home. Run the tap and watch: if it only drips while water is draining away, it is the waste side. If it drips all the time, it is the supply side or a tap connector. Waste leaks are usually a matter of reseating or replacing a fitting. A blocked waste can also force water out of a joint, in which case clearing the blocked sink or waste pipe is part of the fix.
How a burst pipe is repaired
Once the water is off, we open up enough of the ceiling, boxing or floor to reach the damaged section. A split length of copper or plastic is cut out and replaced with new pipe and fittings; a failed joint is remade. With the repair done, we restore the supply slowly, check every joint we have touched, and look along the run for any other weak spots.
Where a leak has been running for a while under a floor or behind a wall, there may be damage to make good afterwards. We will tell you what we have seen so you can speak to your insurer or a joiner if needed.
Can I fix a burst pipe myself?
A repair clamp or self-amalgamating tape can hold a small split until a proper repair is made, and they are worth keeping in a cupboard. They are a stopgap, not a fix. A pipe that has burst once can fail again beside the first split, and a temporary patch hidden in a void can let go without warning. If water is coming out of a drain or manhole rather than a pipe inside, see our emergency plumbing page instead.
Questions
What is a burst pipe?
It is a water pipe that has split or come apart at a joint, letting water escape under pressure. Freezing, corrosion, damage and failed fittings are common causes.
How much is a burst pipe repair?
It depends on where the pipe is and how much has to be opened up to reach it. Call 07427 195142 and we will talk it through before starting.
Should I turn off the water if a pipe bursts?
Yes. Turn the stopcock clockwise until it stops, then open the cold taps to drain the pipes. That limits the damage while you wait for a repair.
Why is my waste pipe leaking?
Usually a loose trap nut, a perished seal or a cracked fitting. A blockage further along can also push water back out of a joint.
Are frozen pipes the same as burst pipes?
Not always. A frozen pipe stops water flowing; it bursts if the ice splits it. Thaw it gently with the stopcock off and check for leaks as it warms.