Burst Water Pipe: What to Do Straight Away and How to Get It Fixed

A burst water pipe is one of the most stressful things that can happen in a home. Water can spread through floors, ceilings and walls in minutes, and the longer it runs, the more damage it does. The good news is that acting quickly and calmly in the first few minutes makes a huge difference to how much needs repairing afterwards.

This guide explains what to do the moment you discover a burst pipe, the signs of a hidden pipe leak, what causes pipes to burst, how a professional finds and fixes the problem, and how to protect your property in future. If you live in Portsmouth or elsewhere in Hampshire and you are dealing with a burst pipe right now, skip to the first section and follow the steps.

What to do straight away if a pipe bursts

When water is pouring from a pipe, every minute counts. Work through these steps in order.

1. Turn off the water at the stopcock

Your internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink, but it can also be in a downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard or under the stairs. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If it is stiff, do not force it so hard that it breaks. If you cannot find or turn it, the outside stop tap, usually under a small cover near your boundary, will also cut the supply.

2. Switch off the electrics if water is near them

If water is anywhere near sockets, light fittings or the consumer unit, switch the electricity off at the consumer unit, but only if you can reach it safely without standing in water. If you cannot, keep clear and call an electrician.

3. Turn off your boiler and heating

Turning off the boiler and central heating stops the system from refilling and pumping more water to the leak.

4. Drain the system

Open the cold taps around the house and flush the toilets to drain the remaining water from the pipes. Once the cold water has drained, open the hot taps as well.

5. Contain the water

Use towels, buckets and bowls to catch dripping water. If water is collecting in a ceiling and it is bulging, place a bucket underneath and keep well clear, as the plasterboard can give way.

6. Move valuables and record the damage

Move furniture, electrical items and anything precious out of the way. Take photos and videos of the damage and the leak before anything is cleaned up, as your insurer will want to see them.

7. Call a professional

Once the water is off and the area is safe, call a specialist to find the exact source of the leak, repair it and assess any water damage.

Signs of a hidden burst pipe

Not every burst pipe announces itself with a gush of water. Pipes under floors, inside walls and in ceilings can leak for days or weeks before anyone notices. Look out for:

• Damp patches or stains on ceilings, walls or floors that keep growing.
• The sound of running water when every tap and appliance is off.
• Low water pressure that has come on suddenly.
• A higher water bill than usual with no obvious reason.
• Your boiler losing pressure and needing to be topped up more often.
• Warm spots on the floor, which can point to a leaking heating pipe beneath.
• Musty smells, peeling paint or bubbling plaster where moisture is getting in.

If you notice any of these, it is worth having the property checked sooner rather than later. Our guide to spotting hidden water damage explains more of the warning signs.

What causes pipes to burst?

Understanding why pipes fail helps you reduce the risk of it happening again.

Freezing temperatures

When water freezes it expands, putting huge pressure on the pipe. Pipes in lofts, garages, outside walls and unheated rooms are most at risk. Often the pipe splits while frozen, and the leak only appears once it thaws.

Age and corrosion

Older metal pipes corrode over time, especially at joints and bends. Eventually a weak spot gives way.

High water pressure

Pressure that is too high puts constant strain on pipes, joints and fittings, making leaks more likely.

Poor installation or accidental damage

Badly made joints, pipes that are not properly supported, and nails or screws driven through pipes during building work are all common causes of leaks.

Ground movement and tree roots

Underground supply pipes can be damaged by ground movement, heavy vehicles or tree roots, causing leaks outside the property that can be hard to spot.

How a professional finds and fixes a burst pipe

When the leak is obvious, the repair can be straightforward. When it is hidden, finding the exact spot is the hardest part of the job, and guesswork can mean lifting far more flooring or plaster than necessary.

Non-invasive leak detection

Specialists use equipment such as thermal imaging cameras, acoustic listening devices and moisture meters to trace the leak without ripping out floors and walls. Thermal imaging shows where warm water from a heating pipe is escaping, while acoustic equipment picks up the sound of water leaving a pressurised pipe.

Accurate access

Once the leak is pinpointed, only a small area needs to be opened up to reach the pipe. This is often called trace and access, and it keeps disruption and repair costs to a minimum.

Repairing the pipe

The damaged section is cut out and replaced, and the repair is tested under pressure to make sure it is sound before the area is closed up. Our article on leak repair in Portsmouth explains what to expect from the repair itself.

Making good

After the repair, floors, walls and ceilings need to be dried properly before they are reinstated. Rushing this step can trap moisture and lead to damp and mould later.

Dealing with water damage after a burst pipe

Fixing the pipe is only half the job. Water that has soaked into floors, walls and ceilings needs to be dealt with properly, or problems can appear weeks later.

Drying the property

Professional drying uses dehumidifiers and air movers to draw moisture out of the building. Moisture readings are taken throughout, so you know when the structure is genuinely dry rather than just dry to the touch.

Checking for hidden damage

Water travels. It can run along joists, soak into insulation and collect under floor coverings well away from the original leak. A proper survey checks where the water has gone, not just where it started.

Restoration

Once everything is dry, damaged plaster, flooring and decoration can be repaired or replaced. Our guide to water damage restoration in Portsmouth covers the process in more detail.

Burst pipes in older Portsmouth and Hampshire homes

Many homes in Portsmouth, Southsea and across Hampshire are Victorian or Edwardian terraces, and plenty of others have had several rounds of extensions and alterations over the years. That history brings a few particular risks when it comes to pipes.

Mixed pipework

Older properties often have a patchwork of copper, plastic and sometimes lead pipework, joined together over decades. Joints between different materials are a common weak point, particularly where work has been done in a hurry.

Pipes in solid floors

In many homes, heating and water pipes run through solid concrete floors. A leak here may only show as a warm patch, a damp area at the base of a wall or a boiler that keeps losing pressure. Finding it accurately matters, because breaking up a solid floor in the wrong place is expensive and disruptive.

Coastal weather

Properties near the coast can face strong winds and driving rain, and pipes in exposed outbuildings, lofts and on outside walls are more likely to freeze when cold snaps arrive. Good insulation is a simple, low cost way to reduce that risk.

Damp that is really a leak

It is surprisingly common for damp patches in older homes to be blamed on rising damp or condensation when the real cause is a slow leak from a pipe. Before paying for damp treatment, it is worth ruling out a hidden leak, because no amount of damp proofing will fix water that is escaping from a pipe.

Burst pipes and home insurance

Most home insurance policies cover sudden escape of water, including burst pipes, although policies vary and some exclude gradual leaks. If you need to claim:

• Contact your insurer as soon as possible after making the property safe.
• Keep your photos and videos of the leak and the damage.
• Keep receipts for any emergency work or costs.
• Ask your insurer whether they need to approve trace and access work before it starts.
• Ask for a written report from your leak detection specialist showing where the leak was and what caused it.

A clear report from the people who found and fixed the leak often makes the claim simpler.

How to prevent burst pipes

A few simple steps reduce the risk of a burst water pipe, especially through the winter.

• Insulate exposed pipes in lofts, garages, outbuildings and along outside walls.
• Keep the heating on low when you go away in cold weather.
• Fix dripping taps and small leaks before they get worse.
• Know where your stopcock is and check it turns freely.
• Keep an eye on your water bill and boiler pressure for signs of a hidden leak.
• Take care with DIY and check for hidden pipes before drilling into walls or floors.

Burst water pipe at a glance

• First: turn off the water at the stopcock.
• Then: switch off electrics near the water if it is safe, turn off the heating and drain the taps.
• Record it: photos and videos for your insurer.
• Hidden leak signs: damp patches, running water sounds, low pressure, rising bills and a boiler losing pressure.
• Repair: non-invasive leak detection, accurate access, a tested repair and proper drying.

Frequently asked questions

Where is my stopcock?

Most internal stopcocks are under the kitchen sink. If it is not there, check the downstairs toilet, utility room, airing cupboard, under the stairs or where the water pipe enters the house. It is worth finding it now, before you need it.

Can I fix a burst water pipe myself?

Temporary repair clamps and tape can slow a small leak until help arrives, but they are not a permanent fix. A proper repair should be tested under pressure, and any hidden water damage needs checking.

How do I know if a pipe has burst under the floor?

Common signs are damp or warm patches on the floor, the sound of running water when nothing is on, a boiler that keeps losing pressure and an unexplained rise in your water bill. Leak detection equipment can confirm the exact location without lifting the whole floor.

How long does it take to dry out after a burst pipe?

It depends on how much water escaped and how long it was leaking. Small leaks can dry in a few days, while larger escapes can take several weeks with professional drying equipment. Moisture readings show when the property is properly dry.

Will my insurance pay for leak detection?

Many policies include trace and access cover, which pays to find the source of a leak. Check your policy or ask your insurer before work starts.

Burst pipe help in Portsmouth and Hampshire

PFC Restoration helps homeowners and businesses across Portsmouth and Hampshire put things right after a burst pipe, flood or fire. Working alongside trusted leak detection partners, we handle the drying, damp proofing, mould remediation and restoration, and we can work with your insurer, so you can get your property back to normal.

If you are dealing with water damage from a burst water pipe, get in touch with our team or call us on 07760 660 028. You can also find out more about PFC Restoration and the services we offer.