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uk Home & property emergencies flexible hose leak under sink • flexi pipe spraying water • tap supply line dripping fast • under sink water spraying • isolation valve under sink stuck • how to shut off stopcock quickly • stop tap under kitchen sink • sudden leak under kitchen cupboard • water pouring from tap connector • flexi connector burst • supply line nut loosened • water leak near sockets • rented flat plumbing leak • communal stop valve flat • emergency plumber now • stop water flooding kitchen • sink cupboard flooding • hot feed hose leak • cold feed hose leak

What to do if…
a flexible supply line under a sink starts spraying or dripping rapidly

Short answer

Shut off the water immediately—first at the small isolation valve(s) under the sink, and if that doesn’t stop it, at your home’s stopcock (main stop tap). Then contain the water and get help if anything is damaged or you can’t fully stop the leak.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t put your hands into pooled water if there are nearby plugs, extension leads, or an appliance under/near the sink—make the area electrically safe first.
  • Don’t try to “tighten it up” while it’s spraying; sudden over-tightening can split fittings or worsen the leak.
  • Don’t wrap tape/cloth around a pressurised joint as a “fix”—it can fail without warning and hide how bad the leak is.
  • Don’t ignore a hot-water feed leak (warm/hot spray) or any sign of bulging, kinking, or fraying on the flexi—treat it as likely to worsen.
  • Don’t leave the property with water still running or with the stopcock partially closed “for now”.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause. If water is hitting electrics, sockets, or anything plugged in, keep your hands out of the wet area. If you can safely reach your consumer unit without standing in water, switch off the relevant circuit (or the main switch if unsure). If you would have to step/stand in water to reach it, don’t—keep away and use qualified help.
  2. Shut off the water at the sink first (fastest).
    • Look for small isolation valves on the hot and/or cold pipes under the sink (often slotted screws or small levers).
    • Turn the valve clockwise to close (or turn the slotted screw so it sits across the pipe rather than along it).
    • If you’re unsure which feed is leaking, close both.
  3. If it’s still leaking, shut off the home stopcock (main stop tap).
    • Common places: under the kitchen sink unit, near where the water pipe enters the property, a bathroom/cylinder cupboard, or under stairs.
    • Turn clockwise until it stops. Don’t force it hard—steady pressure is better than sudden wrenching.
  4. Relieve pressure and reduce mess. After shutting off, open one or more cold taps (start with the lowest level if you can) to help drain residual water. Keep a bowl/bucket under the leak point while remaining water drips out.
  5. Contain the water immediately.
    • Put towels/cloths around the base units and along skirting.
    • If water is spreading, use a mop and wring into a bucket; move anything stored in the cupboard to a dry spot.
  6. If you can’t stop the flow:
    • In a flat with shared supply, you may need a communal stop valve (often near where the supply enters the building). Contact the building manager/concierge or your landlord/agent immediately.
    • If you still can’t isolate it, call an emergency plumber.
  7. If you rent: Tell your landlord/letting agent right away, especially if you’ve had to shut off the stopcock (it affects the property’s water supply) or if any electrics/cupboards/floors are soaked.
  8. Document quickly (30 seconds). Take a few photos/video of the leak source and any water spread after the water is off (useful for repairs/insurance/landlord).

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to replace the hose yourself or upgrade fittings—just stop water flow and prevent damage.
  • You don’t need to fully dry everything immediately once the leak is stopped; first prevent further spread and protect electrics.
  • You don’t need to diagnose whether it’s the hose, valve, or connector nut right now.

Important reassurance

This is a common, fixable household failure and it often looks worse than it is because mains pressure makes small failures spray dramatically. Getting the water off quickly is the biggest win—everything after that is mainly cleanup and arranging repair.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and prevent damage. Repairs (replacing a flexi hose, isolation valve, or tap tail) may need a plumber, especially if fittings are seized, corroded, or access is tight.

Important note

This guide is general information for immediate harm-prevention and damage-limitation. If water has reached electrics, ceilings below, or you cannot fully stop the leak, treat it as urgent and use qualified help.

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