The short version
- Keep everyone away from wet electrics and any sagging ceiling.
- Turn off the incoming water at the internal stop tap if you can reach it safely.
- Switch off the boiler only if its controls are dry and safe to reach.
- Contain escaping water with towels or containers without putting yourself at risk.
- Call a plumber directly. Explain where the leak is and whether the water is off.
- Ask the plumber what else is safe to do with your particular water and heating system while you wait.
Need someone to attend now? Check the plumber’s arrival time directly. PlumbAgent’s quote form does not arrange emergency attendance.
Find the stop tap without losing time
The internal stop tap controls the water coming into your home. It may also be called a stopcock or stop valve. Look under the kitchen sink, in a kitchen cupboard, utility room, garage or bathroom, beneath the stairs, or near where the main water pipe enters the property. Only check places you can reach safely.
A traditional screw-down stop tap closes when you turn it clockwise. Turn it gently and do not force a stuck valve. Other types can work differently: if you are unsure which valve you have found, ask the plumber.
If you cannot find it, ask the landlord or building manager if there is one and tell the plumber straight away. An outside valve may serve more than one property, so check with your water company before using it.
Once the immediate problem has been dealt with, label the stop tap and make sure people in your household know where it is. Ask a plumber to check it if it is stiff, leaking or does not shut off the water.
Water and electricity
Do not touch wet switches, sockets, appliances or exposed wiring. If the consumer unit (fuse box) is in a dry, safely accessible place and you know how to isolate the affected circuit or main supply, do so. Otherwise keep everyone away and seek emergency help.
A sagging ceiling can release a large volume of water or material without warning. Keep out of the area beneath it.
What to tell the plumber
State the property postcode, the room or pipe affected, whether the water is off, how quickly it was escaping and whether electrics or a boiler are involved. Mention access problems and visible damage. You do not need to identify the pipe material or cause unless you already know.
After the leak is stopped
Keep photographs and a note of the timeline if you may contact an insurer. Dry the property safely and watch for water that has travelled into adjoining rooms. Ask the repairer to explain what failed, what was replaced and whether other damaged sections need inspection.
Sources and further information
External guidance can change. Follow the linked organisation where its advice applies to your situation.