While you wait for an emergency plumber, focus on keeping the water off, staying safe around electrics and limiting damage to the property. You do not need to fix anything yourself, and it is usually safer not to try.
Those first steps can make a real difference to how much drying out and repair is needed afterwards.
Keep the Water Under Control
If you have turned off the stopcock, leave it off until the plumber gets there. Opening taps on the lowest floor can help drain water left in the pipes, which may reduce how much keeps escaping from a damaged section.
If a single fitting is leaking, such as a toilet or a sink, the isolation valve on its pipe may let you stop that fitting without cutting off the whole home. Only turn valves that move easily. A stiff or seized valve should be left alone, as forcing it can cause a second leak.
Avoid using any fixture that is part of the problem. Flushing a toilet that is backing up, or running a sink above a leak, can make things worse.
Protect People and Property
Water and electricity do not mix. If water is near sockets, light fittings or the consumer unit, keep everyone away from that area and do not touch switches with wet hands. If it is safe to do so, switching off the electricity at the consumer unit may be sensible, but if in doubt, leave it and get advice from an electrician.
Move furniture, rugs, electrical items and anything valuable away from the water. Towels and buckets can catch drips and stop water spreading across floors. If a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out of the room below, as it could come down.
In a flat, let the neighbour below know, as water can travel between floors quickly. If you rent, tell your landlord or letting agent as soon as you can.
Make the Plumber’s Job Easier
Clear a path to the problem area and to the stopcock. Moving items out of the cupboard under the sink or away from a bath panel saves time once the plumber is there.
Take photos or a short video of the damage and the source of the water if you can do so safely. These can help the plumber understand what happened and may be useful if you make an insurance claim. It also helps to note when you first noticed the problem and anything you did, such as turning off the stopcock.
What Not to Do
Try not to take apart fittings, tighten joints under pressure or cut into pipework. Temporary fixes using tape or sealant can hide the real problem and make the proper repair harder. Resist the urge to keep checking a leak by turning the water back on, as each test can let more water escape.
If you are dealing with a plumbing problem at home or work in Oxford, our emergency plumbing help in Oxford starts with a conversation about what is happening, so you know what to do while help is arranged.