What to do if…
water is leaking from your shower or bathtub and spreading quickly

What to do now

1. Create a safe pause. Step out of the bathroom, dry your hands and feet, put on dry footwear, and keep children and pets away from the wet area.

2. Stop using the water source. Do not run the shower, bath taps, handheld shower, or bath overflow again for testing. If the leak is still spreading without water running, treat it as urgent.

3. Turn off the water if you can.

   • First try the inside stopcock or stop tap, often under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet, utility room, garage, cellar, or under the stairs.
   • Turn it clockwise slowly. Do not overtighten it.
   • If it will not move, do not force it. Call an emergency plumber, preferably a WaterSafe-approved plumber if available.
   • Only use an outside stop tap if you know where it is, can reach it safely, and are allowed to use it. If you are unsure, contact your water supplier or a plumber.

4. Avoid electrical shock risk.

   • If water is near sockets, a light fitting, a shaver socket, an extractor fan, or a ceiling below, avoid using electrics in or near that area.
   • If it is safe and dry to reach your consumer unit, switch off the affected circuit or the main switch.
   • If the consumer unit, switches, or fittings look wet or damaged, do not touch them. Keep people away and contact a registered electrician.

5. Contain the spread without running more water.

   • Put towels along the outside bath or shower edge and at the bathroom doorway.
   • Move bath mats, laundry, boxes, and loose items off the wet floor.
   • If there is a room below, check quickly for new drips, damp patches, staining, or a bulging ceiling. Do not stand under a bulging ceiling.

6. Look for the visible path.

   • Use a torch from a dry position.
   • Check the bottom of the shower screen, screen hinge side, bath corners, tap or shower valve area, bath overflow, and the back edge where the bath meets the wall.
   • Do not run water to confirm the route.

7. Contact the right person urgently.

   • If you rent, report it through your landlord or agent’s urgent repairs route. Put it in writing if you can, and keep screenshots or notes of the time, date, and who you contacted.
   • Say that you have stopped using the shower or bath, whether you could turn the water off, whether water is spreading, and whether there are signs of electrical or ceiling involvement.
   • If you own, call an emergency plumber if the leak is spreading, you cannot isolate the supply, or there are signs of damage below or behind walls.

8. Record the basics before moving on. Take a few photos or a short video of the water, the shower screen or bath edge, any cracked sealant, any ceiling marks below, and any items damaged by water. Only do this from a safe, dry place.

9. Check insurance without delaying safety steps. If you own the property or have contents cover, check your policy documents or your insurer’s helpline or claims route once the leak is contained. Follow any reasonable urgent instructions from the insurer, but do not keep water running to gather evidence.