Plumbing Emergencies: What to Do Before We Arrive
When a pipe bursts or a major leak appears, the sound of rushing water can be terrifying. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to panic. But staying calm and taking the right steps can minimise damage and make our job as emergency plumbers much easier.
At Brightside Heating, we offer a fast, reliable emergency callout service because we know that some problems just can’t wait. We’re here to help you understand what constitutes a plumbing emergency and, crucially, what you should do in those critical moments before our expert arrives.
What is classified as a Plumbing Emergency?
Not every plumbing issue is an emergency, but some definitely are. Knowing the difference can help you decide whether you need an immediate callout or if the problem can wait until the morning.
Plumbing emergencies include:
- A burst pipe or major leak: This is the most common emergency. A burst pipe can cause extensive water damage to your home’s structure, floors, and furniture.
- No heating or hot water in winter: This is considered an emergency, particularly if you have young children, elderly residents, or a vulnerable person in your home. A lack of heating and hot water during cold weather can pose a health risk.
- A serious drainage blockage: If sewage or wastewater is backing up into your home, it’s a health and sanitation risk that requires immediate attention.
- A suspected gas leak: This is an extreme emergency. If you smell gas, turn off the supply immediately, open windows, and call the gas emergency service number (0800 111999) and then a professional. Do not use any electrical switches.
- The toilet won’t flush and is overflowing: This can cause sanitation problems and water damage.
A dripping tap, a running toilet, or a minor leak under the sink, while annoying, are usually not considered emergencies and can be fixed with a standard repair appointment.
What to Do Until a Plumber Comes?
Once you’ve called us for a plumbing emergency callout, there are a few things you should do to contain the problem and keep yourself safe.
- Turn Off the Water Supply: The first and most important step is to stop the flow of water. Find your home’s main stopcock, which is usually located under the kitchen sink, in a bathroom, or in a utility room. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply to the entire house.
- Turn Off the Boiler and Central Heating: If the emergency is related to a boiler leak or a burst pipe in your heating system, turn off the boiler at the main power switch. This prevents the boiler from trying to refill the system and makes the situation safer.
- Turn Off the Electrics: If the leak is near any electrical appliances or sockets, turn off the power to that area from your fuse box. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.
- Contain the Water: Grab buckets, towels, and mops to contain the water and minimise damage. If you can, try to drain the system by turning on a tap at the lowest point of your house, like an outside tap.
Following these steps will not only help prevent further damage but will also allow our plumber to get straight to work as soon as they arrive.
What Do Emergency Plumbers Do?
An emergency plumber’s job is to respond quickly to your call, diagnose the problem on the spot, and carry out an immediate repair to stop the leak or restore essential services. Their priority is to make the situation safe and prevent further damage.
Our emergency plumbers carry a wide range of tools and parts so they can fix the most common problems on the first visit. They will explain what caused the issue, what they are doing to fix it, and what you can do to prevent it from happening again. For non-urgent repairs or full system replacements, they can provide a follow-up appointment or a quote.
For urgent plumbing and heating issues, you can count on us. You can find more information about our services on our 24-Hour Boiler Breakdown page.
Read more on different types of plumbing Emergencies.