24-hour plumber in London
Emergency plumbing, boiler repair and drainage cover across all 33 London boroughs — nights, weekends and bank holidays. Gas Safe registered. 1-2 hour response to Inner London.
Emergency types
Plumbing emergencies we cover
Burst pipe
Pipe freeze and burst, failed joints, corroded pipework. Turn off your stopcock immediately, then call us. We carry pipe repair fittings to restore supply quickly. Permanent repair or like-for-like replacement on the same visit where accessible.
Boiler breakdown
Gas boiler failure, no heating, no hot water. Gas Safe registered engineers diagnose and repair most boiler faults on a single visit. Common parts carried. If beyond economical repair, we advise honestly on replacement options.
Blocked drain
Sewage backup, overflowing gullies, blocked soil stacks. High-pressure water jetting to clear the blockage immediately. CCTV survey if required to find the cause of repeat blockages.
Gas leak
If you smell gas: open windows, do not use electrical switches, evacuate and call 0800 111 999 (National Gas Emergency). Once safe, call us to trace, isolate and repair the source. Gas Safe engineers available 24 hours.
Flooding
Failed washing machine hose, dishwasher failure, overflowing bath or shower. Isolate the appliance and the water supply. We attend to stop the source and advise on drying and reinstatement.
No hot water
Failed unvented cylinder, tripped immersion heater, failed diverter valve. Particularly urgent in winter, or where young children or elderly occupants are in the property. Same-visit repair or temporary provision where possible.
Response times
Emergency response times across London
1-2 hours
Inner London (Zones 1-2)
Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lambeth, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, City of London
2-3 hours
Mid London (Zones 3-4)
Barnet, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Newham, Lewisham, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Brent, Ealing
2-4 hours
Outer London (Zones 4-6)
Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow, Enfield, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge
Response times are estimates. Actual times depend on engineer location, traffic and concurrent emergency volume. Serious life-safety emergencies (gas leaks, flooding) are prioritised.
While you wait
What to do before the plumber arrives
Burst pipe or major leak
- 1Turn off the main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink or near the water meter)
- 2Turn off the boiler and immersion heater to prevent the system running dry
- 3Open taps to drain remaining water from the system
- 4Move valuables, electrics and flooring away from the water
- 5Photograph the damage for your buildings insurance claim
Boiler breakdown in winter
- 1Check the boiler pressure gauge — top up to 1.5 bar if below 1 bar using the filling loop
- 2Check the condensate pipe has not frozen (usually an external white plastic pipe)
- 3Reset the boiler once using the reset button and wait 5 minutes
- 4Use electric heaters and hot water bottles if heating does not restore
- 5Call us if the boiler does not reset or pressure drops again immediately
Blocked drain
- 1Stop using the blocked drain or toilet to prevent overflow
- 2If sewage is backing up, warn all occupants not to use any drains
- 3If the blockage is at a gulley, try pouring a bucket of hot water (not boiling) down it
- 4Note when the blockage started and which fixtures are affected — this helps diagnose the location
- 5Do not use drain unblocking chemicals in a completely blocked drain — they can become trapped
Gas smell or suspected leak
- 1Do NOT turn any electrical switches on or off
- 2Do NOT use naked flames or smoking materials
- 3Open all doors and windows to ventilate
- 4Turn off the gas supply at the meter (handle perpendicular to the pipe = off)
- 5Evacuate the building and call National Gas Emergency on 0800 111 999 — then call us
FAQ
24-hour plumber questions
How quickly can you reach me in a plumbing emergency?
Our 24-hour emergency response times vary by borough and time of day. For Inner London boroughs (Zones 1-2), we typically attend within 1-2 hours for serious emergencies such as burst pipes or no heating in winter. For Outer London boroughs, attendance is typically within 2-4 hours. We prioritise water-loss emergencies (burst pipes, major leaks) and heating failures in winter above non-urgent out-of-hours calls.
How much does a 24-hour emergency plumber cost in London?
Out-of-hours emergency call-out rates in London typically range from £120-180 for the call-out attendance charge, plus labour at £80-120 per hour. Night-time (11pm-7am) and bank holiday rates carry a higher premium. For landlords on our portfolio maintenance contracts, reduced emergency call-out rates apply. We provide a verbal cost estimate before attending so there are no surprises on the invoice.
What counts as a plumbing emergency?
Genuine plumbing emergencies that warrant a 24-hour call-out include: burst pipes or pipe joints causing active water escape, severe drain blockage causing sewage backup, loss of all hot water in winter (especially with young children or elderly occupants), boiler breakdown in cold weather, gas leak (call National Gas Emergency on 0800 111 999 first), and flooding from a failed appliance. Dripping taps, slow drains and minor leaks that can be isolated using a stopcock are generally better booked as a next-day appointment.
What should I do while waiting for an emergency plumber?
For a burst pipe or major leak: turn off the main stopcock immediately (usually under the kitchen sink or in the street outside) to stop water flow. Turn off the boiler if water is near electrical components. Open taps to drain the system and reduce pressure. Move valuables and electrics away from the water. Document the damage with photos for insurance. For a boiler breakdown in winter: use electric heaters if available, fill hot water bottles for warmth, and let us know if there are vulnerable occupants so we can prioritise.
Do you cover all London boroughs overnight?
Yes. We maintain 24-hour cover across all 33 London boroughs, though response times to Outer London boroughs (Zones 4-6) may be longer overnight when fewer engineers are on duty. We cover all boroughs including Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Kingston, Richmond, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Harrow, Enfield and Barking & Dagenham. If you are outside Greater London, call to confirm coverage before assuming we can attend.
Plumbing emergency in London?
We answer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Nights, weekends, bank holidays.
Contact now