What to do if…
an aquarium, waterbed, or large container is leaking and causing water damage

What to do now

1. Get to a safer pause. Step onto a dry surface. Keep children and pets away from the wet area.
2. Back off if there are electrical danger signs. If you see sparks or arcing, smell burning, hear buzzing or crackling from electrics, or water is entering light fittings, sockets, or the consumer unit, do not touch anything electrical. Move everyone away and call 999 if there is fire, smoke, sparks, arcing, or immediate danger.
3. Stop the leak at the simplest safe point.
   • Aquarium or large container: stop any top-ups, siphons, overflow, or filter return that is adding water. If you can do it from dry ground, move items that could fall into the spill.
   • Waterbed: stop any filling. Close the fill valve if you can reach it without kneeling or standing in water.
   • Pipe or valve feeding the leak: close the nearest isolation valve if it is clearly reachable and dry.
4. If you cannot stop it locally, turn off water at the inside stop valve or stopcock. Turn it clockwise to shut off. It may take a few turns and a few minutes for water to stop. Do not force it hard; if it is stuck or will not shut off, move on to urgent help.
5. Reduce electrical risk only if it is safe. If water is close to electrics, switch off electricity at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without stepping in water and the unit is dry with no signs of overheating, buzzing, crackling, or arcing.
6. Contain the water once the flow is stopped or slowing.
   • Put towels or blankets down to slow the spread.
   • Use buckets, trays, or bowls under drips.
   • Move extension leads, chargers, electronics, documents, and valuables to a dry, higher surface.
   • If water is coming through a ceiling, keep people away from the area below and do not touch nearby lights or switches.
7. Call the right help early.
   • If you rent, report it urgently to your landlord, letting agent, council repairs line, or housing association repairs line.
   • If you own, call an emergency plumber if the leak has not stopped, water is coming through ceilings or walls, or the stop valve will not shut off.
   • If you are in a flat or shared building and cannot access a communal stop valve, contact the building manager, managing agent, freeholder, landlord, or emergency repairs contact.
   • If the leak appears to be outside your home, from an external stop tap, or from the public-side supply, contact your water supplier.
8. Document once the immediate risk is lower. Take photos or video of the leak source, wet floors, affected rooms, and any ceiling staining or dripping. Note the time you found it and what you turned off.
9. Start drying when it is safe. Ventilate, lift wet rugs if you can do so safely, and keep air moving. If carpet, underlay, walls, or ceilings are soaked, ask a plumber, electrician, insurer, landlord, or drying contractor what needs checking before repairs or deep cleaning.