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uk Home & property emergencies shower won’t turn off • bath won’t turn off • tap won’t stop running • stuck shower tap • failed diverter valve • diverter stuck on shower • bath tap stuck on • mixer tap stuck open • shower keeps running • water won’t stop in bathroom • emergency turn off water uk • find stopcock • stop tap under sink • water shut off valve flat • leaking shower valve • overflow risk bath • runaway water flow • bathroom flooding risk • tap handle spins freely

What to do if…
your shower or tub won’t stop running because the tap or diverter has failed

Short answer

Stop the water at the nearest shut-off point you can access (isolation valve first, then your inside stop tap). Once the flow is stopped (or if you can’t stop it quickly), contact your landlord/building maintenance or an emergency plumber.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t leave it “to run itself out” — it can overflow and cause serious damage quickly.
  • Don’t use extreme force or long levers on a stuck valve/stop tap; if it won’t turn reasonably, escalate to help.
  • Don’t start dismantling taps/diverters while water is still on or while you’re standing in pooled water.
  • Don’t use electrical items in a wet bathroom, and don’t trail extension leads into the area.
  • Don’t stay in the spray if the water is very hot — step back and focus on shutting off safely.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause (30–60 seconds).
    Put the shower head into the bath and close the shower screen/curtain to contain splash. Clear slip hazards. Keep children/pets out.
  2. Shut off at the closest isolation valves (fastest fix).
    Look for hot and cold isolation valves feeding the bath/shower (often behind an access panel, under the bath, in a nearby cupboard, or on pipework you can reach). Turn clockwise to close (some are quarter-turn slots with a flat screwdriver).
  3. If you can’t find those, use your inside stop tap/stopcock.
    Common locations include under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard, under the stairs, a downstairs toilet/utility area, or near where the pipe enters the property. Turn clockwise slowly until it stops.
  4. If you’re in a flat and can’t locate an individual stop tap, escalate to building management.
    Many blocks have managed meter/valve cupboards or communal risers. Contact the concierge/building manager/landlord/agent and tell them you need the supply isolated urgently.
  5. Relieve pressure and confirm the flow is stopping.
    Once the supply is off, open a cold tap briefly (often a low-level one if you have it) to relieve pressure. Expect a short burst/residual trickle from the shower/bath as pipework drains.
  6. If hot water was involved, reduce scald risk (only if you can do so safely and confidently).
    If the water was running very hot, you can turn hot water/heating controls to off to reduce the chance of very hot water resuming when supply is restored. If you’re unsure how, skip this and tell the plumber/maintenance team.
  7. Contact the right person with a clear message.
    • Renting / housing association / council / managed block: report as an emergency repair: “Shower/bath won’t turn off; water isolated at [isolation valves / inside stop tap].”
    • Owner-occupier: call an emergency plumber.
  8. Limit damage while you wait.
    Use towels/buckets where overflow could occur. If water has reached lights, sockets, or the ceiling below, keep people out of that area and avoid interacting with electrics while standing on wet floors.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to diagnose whether it’s a cartridge, washer, diverter, or mixer fault right now.
  • You don’t need to decide on replacement taps/fixtures or collect quotes before the water is safely off.
  • You don’t need a perfect cleanup — stabilise first, then dry and ventilate when safe.

Important reassurance

This is a common, fixable failure. Once the water is isolated, the situation is usually stable and you’ve already prevented the biggest risks (flooding, scalding, and electrical hazards).

Scope note

These are first steps only — to stop the water and reduce immediate risk. Repair may require access panels, replacement cartridges/diverters, or seized-valve handling by a plumber or your maintenance provider.

Important note

This is general information, not professional plumbing, gas, or electrical advice. If you can’t safely stop the water, or it’s affecting electrics/ceilings/other flats, treat it as urgent and get professional help immediately.

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