Emergency plumber call-out

Need an emergency plumber right now?

If you need an emergency plumber, the fastest way to get help is to pick up the phone and call us on 0333 772 6247. We'll talk you through what's happening and book a one-off plumbing call-out so we can come and fix it for you. There's no need to sign up to anything first — this is a straightforward paid repair.

First, if you can, stop the water. Find your internal stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and turn it clockwise to shut off the supply. That one step buys you time and limits the damage while help is on the way.

What counts as a plumbing emergency?

Some plumbing problems can wait for a day or two. Others can't. A burst pipe, a leaking pipe behind a wall, water coming through a ceiling, or a leak you simply can't stop are the kind of thing worth calling about straight away, because the longer water runs the more damage it does.

Slower drips, a dripping tap or a slow-filling toilet are still worth fixing, but they're rarely a same-hour emergency. If you're not sure how urgent it is, call us and describe what you can see — we'll give you an honest steer.

Common plumbing problems we get called out to

• Burst pipe — a sudden, fast leak that needs the water turned off at the stopcock right away.
• Leaking pipe — a slow or hidden leak under a sink, behind a wall or below the floor.
• Dripping or stuck taps and worn washers.
• Toilets that won't stop running, won't flush or are leaking at the base.
• Leaking radiator valves and weeping joints on your pipework.
• Overflowing tanks and cisterns, and stuck float valves.

What to do while you wait for the plumber

A few simple steps can make a real difference before we arrive. None of this involves taking anything apart — it's about limiting the damage and keeping everyone safe.

Turn off the water at the internal stopcock. Switch off the electrics at the consumer unit if water is anywhere near sockets, cables or light fittings. Catch what you can in a bucket or bowl, and lift anything valuable off the floor. Open a tap downstairs to drain the system if a pipe upstairs has burst.

Safe steps before we arrive

• Turn off the water at your internal stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink).
• If water is near electrics, switch off the power at the consumer unit.
• Put a bucket or bowl under the leak and move furniture and valuables clear.
• Run a downstairs cold tap to drain water out of a burst pipe upstairs.
• Don't try to take pipework, valves or appliances apart yourself — leave that to us.

Smelling gas or worried about your boiler?

Plumbing and gas are not the same job. If you can smell gas, hear hissing, or you're worried about carbon monoxide, this is not something to investigate or fix yourself. Leave the property, don't touch electrical switches, and call the national Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 straight away.

Anything to do with a gas boiler or gas appliance must be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer — it's the law. You can check an engineer's registration on the Gas Safe Register. If your heating's playing up but there's no smell of gas, it's fine to check the basics yourself first: look at your thermostat, check the boiler pressure and follow your manufacturer's manual for a reset. Beyond that, book an engineer rather than opening anything up.

What a one-off call-out costs

A one-off plumbing call-out carries a £95.00 call-out fee, payable in advance. That covers a plumber coming out to you to look at the problem. We'll be upfront about what the job involves before any further work goes ahead.

A one-off repair is just that — a paid visit to fix the issue in front of us. It isn't a cover plan, and one-off works don't come with a workmanship guarantee. If you'd rather have ongoing cover so future call-outs and repairs are handled for you, our Smart Plan plumbing cover might suit you better — see the options below.

One-off plumbing call-out at a glance

Emergency plumber FAQs

Got a plumbing emergency? We'll come and fix it for you.

Call 0333 772 6247 to book a one-off plumbing call-out, or build your own Smart Plan cover for the future.

Related

• Smart Plan plumbing cover
• All home repairs
• Boiler repair
• Build your own cover
• Contact us
• Gas Safe Register — check an engineer
• Gas emergencies advice (HSE)