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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
water pressure drops and you suspect a burst or major hidden pipe leak

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

If water is escaping, damp is spreading, or you can hear continuous flow with the taps off, move away from wet electrics and any sagging ceiling, then turn off the internal stop tap if you can reach it safely. Switch off the boiler or heating and contact an emergency plumber; contact your water supplier straight away if there is no visible leak but pressure is very low across the property.

Do not do these things

  • Do not walk through standing water to reach a stop tap, consumer unit, appliance, switch or socket.
  • Do not touch electrical equipment, exposed wiring or switches that are wet or surrounded by water.
  • Do not force a stiff or seized stop tap.
  • Do not operate an external stop tap unless your water supplier or a qualified plumber says it is appropriate.
  • Do not cut into walls, floors or ceilings to search for the leak.
  • Do not stand beneath a sagging, bulging or waterlogged ceiling.
  • Do not restart wet electrical equipment, the boiler or the heating simply to test it.
  • Do not assume that low pressure alone confirms a hidden leak.

What to do now

  1. Move people and pets away from escaping water, wet electrical equipment and any sagging or bulging ceiling. Call 999 or 112 if there is a fire, electric shock, collapse or another immediate danger.
  2. If there are signs of an active leak, find the internal stop tap and turn it clockwise slowly. It is commonly under the kitchen sink or in a cupboard, downstairs toilet, utility room, garage, cellar or under the stairs. Stop if it will not move without force.
  3. Switch off the boiler or central heating. If water has reached electrics, switch off the electricity at the consumer unit only if you can reach it by a dry, safe route without touching wet equipment.
  4. Once the water supply and heating are off, open the hot and cold taps to drain water remaining in the system. When the flow stops, close the taps. Do not use a tap in an electrically unsafe area.
  5. Use buckets and towels to limit the spread where it is safe. Move portable belongings away from the water without standing beneath damaged ceilings.
  6. Contact an emergency plumber and describe the pressure drop, running-water sounds, damp patches and where water is appearing. If you rent or live in a flat, also contact the landlord, letting agent or building manager because the affected pipe may be communal.
  7. If there is no visible escape of water, check whether pressure is low at several cold taps or only one outlet. Check your water supplier’s incident information and contact it straight away if you have no water or very low pressure across the property.
  8. If the situation is stable and you have an accessible water meter, turn off taps and water-using appliances and record the reading after tanks and cisterns have finished filling. Take another reading after at least two hours without using water; a higher reading may indicate a leak.
  9. After the flow is controlled, photograph visible damage and note when the pressure drop or leak was first noticed. Contact your home insurer if you may need emergency assistance or intend to make a claim.

What can wait

You do not need to find the exact hidden break, open walls or floors, choose a permanent repair or decide who is responsible right now. Redecoration, detailed insurance paperwork and decisions about drying or replacement can wait until the water is controlled and the property has been assessed.

Important reassurance

A sudden pressure drop does not by itself prove that a pipe has burst. A supplier interruption, high local demand, a partly closed stop tap or a fault affecting one outlet can also reduce pressure. Isolating any active leak and contacting the appropriate professional are enough for the immediate moment.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and damage-limitation steps only. Leak detection, repairs, electrical checks, drying, structural assessment and insurance decisions may require qualified specialists.

Important note

This is general information, not professional plumbing, electrical, structural, legal or insurance advice. Follow instructions from the emergency services, your water supplier and qualified professionals who can assess the property directly.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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