Burst pipe right now? Turn off the stopcock first — then contact us.
Emergency plumber — London
Burst pipe in London?
Emergency plumbers covering all 33 London boroughs. Same-day burst pipe repair — from frozen and split pipes to corroded Victorian pipework failures. Turn off your stopcock now and contact us.
Burst pipe right now — do this immediately:
Turn off the main stopcock — usually under the kitchen sink. Turn clockwise to close.
Open all taps to drain water from the pipes and reduce pressure on the burst.
Turn off the boiler and central heating system.
If water is near electrical fittings or sockets, turn off electricity at the consumer unit.
Use towels and buckets to collect water and limit damage to floors and ceilings.
Photograph all damage — you will need this for an insurance claim.
Burst pipe types in London
Burst pipes we repair across London
Frozen burst pipe
Water freezes and expands inside the pipe, splitting the barrel. Most common in loft spaces, exposed outside walls, and unheated outbuildings.
Corroded Victorian pipework
Lead and iron pipes in pre-1970 London properties corrode from inside, causing sudden failures. Common in terraced houses and Victorian conversions.
Compression fitting failure
Olive joint or compression fitting loosens under pressure — common after building work disturbs existing pipework.
Plastic push-fit pipe failure
Modern plastic push-fit fittings can pull apart if not seated correctly. Often found in DIY plumbing work or rushed renovations.
Concealed pipe failure
Pipes running under floors or inside walls that have developed a slow split, revealing itself as ceiling collapse or floor damage.
Hot water pipe failure
Heating circuit pipes running under floors or behind panels at elevated pressure — particularly in unvented systems.
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33
London boroughs covered
All areas, same-day attendance
Gas Safe
Registered engineers
All gas and heating work covered
London landlords
Burst pipe in your London rental property?
Landlords must arrange emergency repairs without delay — a burst pipe causing water damage to a tenant's belongings or making the property uninhabitable is a serious liability. We attend landlord burst pipe callouts as a priority and can provide an engineer's report for your insurance claim.
Common questions
Burst pipe London: frequently asked
What do I do if a pipe bursts in my London home?
(1) Turn off the water supply immediately at the main stopcock — usually under the kitchen sink or in the airing cupboard. (2) Turn on all taps to drain the system and relieve pressure. (3) Turn off the boiler and central heating. (4) If water is near electrics, turn off electricity at the consumer unit. (5) Collect water with buckets or towels to limit damage. (6) Call an emergency plumber — we cover all London boroughs.
How quickly can an emergency plumber attend a burst pipe in London?
We aim to attend burst pipe callouts in London within 1–3 hours. Burst pipes are treated as priority emergencies across all 33 London boroughs. Response time depends on engineer availability and location.
Will my home insurance cover a burst pipe in London?
Most buildings insurance policies cover damage caused by a burst pipe under "escape of water." The repair of the burst pipe itself may or may not be covered — check your policy. Trace and access cover (finding the leak) is included in many policies. Always call your insurer to notify them, even if you are not sure you will claim.
Why do pipes burst in London?
The most common causes of burst pipes in London are: frozen pipes during cold weather (water expands when it freezes, splitting the pipe); corrosion in older Victorian pipework; excessive water pressure; physical damage from building work; and fatigue in copper or plastic fittings after many years. London properties built before 1970 frequently have lead or iron pipework prone to corrosion failures.