If a pipe has burst: turn off the water at the stopcock, switch off the electrics at the consumer unit if water is near sockets or fittings and you can reach it safely from a dry spot, open the cold taps to drain the system, then call 07777 659786. We repair or arrange the repair of the pipe and dry out the property afterwards.
The first ten minutes after a burst pipe
- Stop the water. The stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, in a cellar, or where the supply enters the property. In flats it may be in a cupboard or hallway.
- Stay safe around electrics. If water is near electrics, don’t touch them while standing in water.
- Drain the system. Open cold taps to empty the pipes. If you have a hot water cylinder, turn off the immersion heater and boiler.
- Catch and protect. Use buckets and towels, and move valuables and documents away.
- Take photos. Record the damage before you move things — insurers often ask for them.
- Warn neighbours if you are in a flat — water may be heading downstairs.
Why pipes burst
- Freezing. Water expands as it freezes and splits pipes, especially in lofts, garages, outside walls and under suspended floors. The leak often appears when the ice thaws.
- Failed joints and fittings. Push-fit and compression joints can work loose; old soldered joints can fail.
- Corrosion. Older pipework can thin over time.
- Accidental damage. A nail or screw through a pipe during DIY or building work.
- High pressure. Excess mains pressure can stress older pipes and fittings.
Repairing the pipe
Most burst pipes can be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and fitting a new piece. Where pipes keep failing because of age or poor installation, re-routing or replacing a run of pipework can be better value than repeated patches. If the burst is hidden in a wall or under a floor, leak detection finds the exact point first.
Cleaning up and drying after a burst pipe
Fixing the pipe is only half the job. A burst can release a lot of water into ceilings, floors and walls. Afterwards:
- standing water is removed with extraction equipment;
- moisture readings show where the water has spread;
- soaked materials that can’t be saved are removed;
- the building is dried with structural drying equipment and monitored until dry;
- a sagging or stained ceiling below is assessed — see ceiling water damage.
How to prevent burst pipes in winter
| Where | What to do |
|---|---|
| Loft | Lag pipes and tanks; leave the loft hatch open in very cold spells so some warmth gets in. |
| Outside taps | Isolate and drain them before winter, or fit an insulated cover. |
| Under floors and in garages | Insulate exposed pipes. |
| Empty properties | Keep low background heating on, or drain down the system if the property will be empty in winter. |
| Everywhere | Know where your stopcock is and check it turns. |
Burst pipes and insurance
Damage from a burst pipe is usually treated as an “escape of water”. Many policies cover the damage but not the cost of the pipe repair itself, and unoccupied properties often have special conditions. Read our escape of water claims page for the usual steps.
Burst pipe help across Merseyside
Older terraces in Wavertree and Old Swan with pipework under suspended floors, flats in Birkenhead, and family homes in Maghull all see their share of winter bursts. Whatever the property, the clean-up follows our standard water damage repair process in Liverpool: stop it, find it, remove the water, dry it.
When to call a professional
Call as soon as the water is off. The faster drying starts, the more of your ceilings, floors and plaster can be saved. Phone 07777 659786.