What to do if…
your washing machine is leaking and water is spreading across the floor

What to do now

1. Get to a safer pause. Keep people and pets out of the wet area. Put shoes on before moving near the water, and stay on dry flooring where you can.
2. Stop the washing machine only if you can reach it safely. If you can use the controls without standing in water, press stop or pause and turn the machine off.
3. Treat water near electrics as the main danger. If water is near plugs, sockets, extension leads, the consumer unit, or the meter area, do not touch them from the wet area. If you can reach the consumer unit from a dry, safe place and it is clearly dry, switch off the affected circuit or the main switch.
4. Do not touch electrical equipment that may be wet. If water may have reached the consumer unit, meter cupboard, fixed wiring, sockets, or switches, keep away from it and get advice from a qualified electrician. If you think supply or meter equipment is dangerous, use the official power-cut or electricity network emergency contact for your part of the UK.
5. Shut off the water feeding the washing machine. If you can reach it safely, turn the small isolation valve or valves on the hose or hoses behind or near the machine. If you cannot reach them safely, turn off your inside stop valve, also called a stopcock or stop tap. It is often under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard, under the stairs, near the front door, or where the water pipe enters the home.
6. Limit the spread. Use towels, a mop, or absorbent cloths to make a barrier so water does not reach sockets, boilers, other rooms, or ceilings below. If water is still dripping and it is safe to get close, put a bowl, tray, or bucket under the drip point.
7. Move vulnerable items away from the water. Move power strips, chargers, rugs, paperwork, cardboard boxes, and small items from the wet area. Lift light furniture legs onto towels, foil, or blocks if you can do it without strain.
8. If you are in a flat, warn anyone who may be affected below. Once the water is off and you are safe, contact the downstairs neighbour, building manager, concierge, landlord, or freeholder so they can check for water coming through.
9. Take simple records once it is safe. Take a few photos or a short video of the leak area, the spread of water, and any damaged items. Do not move back into the wet area just to get photos.
10. Contact the right repair route. If you rent, contact your landlord or letting agent and use their emergency repairs route if they have one. If you own the home, contact a plumber or appliance engineer.
11. Keep the washer off. Do not restore water or power to the washing machine until the leak source has been identified and the area around electrics is dry and safe.