Emergency Plumbing

What to Do When You Have a Burst Pipe Before the Plumber Arrives

Published 27 April 2026 · 5 min read · Get an emergency plumber in Nottingham →

A burst pipe can cause thousands of pounds of damage in minutes. Knowing what to do in the first 10 minutes — before an emergency plumber arrives — can make the difference between a manageable repair and a flooded home. Here's exactly what to do, step by step.

Step-by-step: what to do right now

1. 1

   Turn off the stopcock

   Find your main stopcock and turn it clockwise until it stops. In most Nottingham homes it's under the kitchen sink. Not there? Check under the stairs, in the downstairs bathroom, or in a utility room. Older Victorian terraces in areas like Sherwood or Mapperley sometimes have it in the cellar. Turn it until it won't turn any further — that's the water off.

2. 2

   Turn off your boiler

   Switch your boiler and heating system off. If the burst pipe is on the heating circuit, continuing to run the system will pump hot water directly out of the burst. Turn your thermostat down or press the off button on your boiler's controls.

3. 3

   Open all your cold taps

   Turn on your cold taps throughout the house to drain any remaining water in the pipes. This reduces the pressure and the amount of water coming out of the burst. Don't open the hot taps yet — if your cylinder is full it will keep releasing hot water for a while.

4. 4

   Switch off the electricity if needed

   If water has come into contact with any electrical fittings — sockets, switches, light fittings, or your consumer unit (fuse box) — turn off the electricity at the mains before touching anything. Your consumer unit is usually a grey or white box, often in the hallway or under the stairs.

5. 5

   Control the immediate flooding

   Use towels, buckets, and bowls to contain the water. Lift any rugs or carpets away from the wet area. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables out of the way. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, now's the time to use it. The faster you get water off floors and away from walls, the less damage is done.

6. 6

   Document the damage

   Before you start cleaning up, take photos and videos of everything — the burst pipe, the water damage, affected furniture and belongings. You'll need this for your home insurance claim. Don't throw anything away until your insurer has been notified.

7. 7

   Call an emergency plumber

   Once you've stopped the immediate flooding, call an emergency plumber. Tell them: where the burst is (if you know), what pipe it looks like (copper, plastic, radiator pipe), and whether the water is hot or cold. This helps them bring the right parts.

Where is my stopcock?

This is the most important question to answer before a pipe bursts. In most Nottingham homes:

Most common location: Under the kitchen sink, at the back of the cupboard on the left or right side. It's usually a brass tap with a flat-head slot (you may need a coin to turn it).

Also common in Nottingham's older housing stock: Under the stairs, in the downstairs WC, in a utility room, or (in Victorian terraces with cellars) in the basement. If you have a modern house with a utility room, check there first.

If you can't find it: There's also an external stopcock in the pavement or driveway (usually under a small metal cover labelled "water"). You'll need a special key to turn it — your plumber will have one.

Find your stopcock now, before there's an emergency. It takes 30 seconds and could save your home.

What causes burst pipes?

Understanding the cause helps you prevent it happening again:

Frozen pipes — The most common winter cause. Water expands as it freezes, splitting copper or plastic pipes. Pipes in lofts, garages, and external walls are most at risk. Nottingham typically sees a handful of sub-zero nights each winter — enough to freeze an unlagged pipe.

Old or corroded pipework — Many Nottingham properties, particularly Victorian terraces in Forest Fields, Hyson Green, and Sherwood, still have original copper or lead pipework. Corrosion weakens the pipe over decades until it gives way.

High water pressure — Mains water pressure in Nottingham runs at 1–3 bar for most homes, which is normal. Older pressure-reducing valves can fail, allowing pressure to spike and stress pipework.

Accidental damage — DIY drilling through a hidden pipe is more common than you'd think. If you're drilling into walls, use a pipe and cable detector first.

Should I call my home insurer?

Yes, and sooner rather than later. Most home insurance policies cover escape of water (which is the technical term for a burst pipe causing water damage). Report it as soon as possible — many insurers have a 24-hour claims line. Have your policy number ready, and share the photos and videos you took in step 6.

Important: don't start major repairs or skip straight to redecoration until your insurer has approved the claim and sent a loss adjuster if needed. But getting the immediate plumbing repair done to stop further damage is fine — keep all receipts.

How to prevent burst pipes in the future

Lag your pipes. Any pipes in unheated spaces — loft, garage, outside walls — should be wrapped in foam pipe lagging. It costs a few pounds and prevents freezing.

Keep the heating on low when you're away. If you're going on holiday in winter, don't turn the heating off entirely. Set it to come on for an hour or two a day at around 12°C to keep the pipes above freezing.

Know your stopcock. Turn it once a year to make sure it still moves — stopcocks that are never touched can seize up, which is the last thing you need in an emergency.

Get your plumbing inspected. If your home has original pipework from the 1960s or earlier, it's worth having a plumber check for corrosion and weak joints before one fails on you.