When a water pipe bursts at home it is all chaos. Water everywhere, soaked floor and a hefty repair bill. But what if you can avoid this? Below are some top tips from a local Norwich plumber to help you act fast and contain a burst water pipe until the professional plumber arrives.
Spot the Early Signs
When a water pipe bursts it is usually due to periods of stress and not an out of the blue occurrence. There will be some subtle hints that you can identify a potential water pipe burst and use them to catch it before it even happens.
Look out for:
- Decrease in water pressure – If your taps have lower water pressure than usual and dribble instead of flowing normally.
- Unusual noises – Banging or gurgling sounds coming from your pipes.
- Water marks or damp patches – Look out for any water marks on ceilings, walls, or under sinks.
- Higher water bills – If your water bills are higher than usual then you could have a leaking pipe.
If everything seems fine but you are still not convinced then a top tip from local Norwich Plumber Royal Flush Plumbing is to run a simple test:
- Turn off all water fixtures so there is no flow of water.
- Check your water meter and take a recording.
- Wait an hour or so and check the water meter again, if the number is higher then there is likely a leak.
Shut Off the Water – Immediately
Time is your biggest enemy when a pipe bursts. If it is a large burst then you must act fast, the more water that flows, the more damage occurs.
Do this right away:
- Locate your stopcock that is usually under the kitchen sink or near the front door (you should already know where it is).
- Turn it clockwise to shut off the main water supply.
- Finally turn on all taps to drain remaining water from the system.
This is a little more ticky if you live in a flat, you may need to find the location of the communal stopcock. This may turn off water for your neighbours too so you need to let them know the situation and also contact building management.
Turn Off the Electricity
It may sound obvious but water near electricity is very dangerous, a burst pipe near electrical wiring or sockets can put you at risk so turn off the electricity as well as the water.
- If water is close to any electrical unit, turn off the power at the fuse box.
- Do not touch wet switches or outlets.
- If the fuse box is in a flooded area, call an emergency electrician or your utility company.
If you think there is a possibility of electricity and water mixing then don’t risk it, go without electricity for a few hours and get the problem fixed by professionals.
Drain the System
Once you have stopped the water flow by turning off the water and made the area safe by also turning off the electricity, you can drain your plumbing system to relieve pressure and prevent further damage.
Here’s how:
- Flush all toilets until empty.
- Starting from the top floor and moving downstairs turn every tap until drained.
- If you have a hot water cylinder, turn off the immersion heater or boiler.
This step will clear any standing water from the pipes, this also makes it a safer system to work with so the local professional plumber will be pleased you have already done this when he arrives.
Contain and Minimise the Damage
Once you have done everything you can to contain the burst pipe and make it safe the next step is to protect your home.
- Use buckets or pans to collect areas with dripping water and stop it spreading.
- Lay down towels or old sheets to soak up as much water as you can to eliminate the water soaking into the floors.
- Move furniture, rugs, and valuables away from the affected area or if this is not possible cover them up.
- If water is seeping through ceilings, then you may want to consider making a small hole to try and relieve some of the pressure. Soaking plasterboard could result in the full ceiling collapsing, by making a small hole to let the water drain may help to prevent this from happening. Only do this if the ceiling is bulging and seems at risk. If unsure, wait for a professional.
Call a Qualified Emergency Plumber
Unless you have experience as a plumber and know what you are doing it is best to leave it to the professionals. Doing DIY repairs may cause more damage and make it more difficult for the plumber to repair. Have a little patience and wait for the professional plumber to arrive, many offer emergency services and can be with you in an hour.
Look for a plumber who is:
- If you live in the UK check the plumber is registered with CIPHE or Gas Safe if relevant.
- 24/7 call out – urgency is important with a pipe burst, you need same day call out.
- Able to provide upfront costs and ETA so you know how much you have to pay and how long it will take.
Ask key questions:
- How soon can you get here?
- Are parts stocked, or will you need to return?
- Can you provide a written quote or invoice for insurance?
Pro tip: You should already have the number of a trusted and reliable local plumber so you are ready if you ever have a burst pipe. It is also recommended to take as many pictures as possible for insurance purposes.
