A plumbing emergency can happen at any time — a burst pipe in the middle of the night, a boiler breakdown on the coldest day of the year, or a sudden leak flooding your kitchen. If you’re a homeowner in SE London dealing with an emergency plumbing situation, knowing what to do in those first few minutes can make all the difference between a manageable repair and thousands of pounds in water damage.
At DRMB Plumbing & Heating, we provide emergency plumbing services across Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich, Eltham, Catford, Blackheath and the wider SE London area. Here’s our guide to what you should (and shouldn’t) do while you wait for the plumber to arrive.
1. Turn Off Your Water at the Stopcock
This is the single most important thing you can do. Your internal stopcock controls the mains water supply to your home. Turning it off will stop water flowing into the system and limit the damage from any leak or burst pipe.
Where is the stopcock? In most UK homes, you’ll find it:
- Under the kitchen sink
- In a downstairs cupboard or utility room
- Under the stairs
- Near the front door (in some flats)
Turn it clockwise to close it. If you haven’t turned your stopcock in years, it might be stiff — try gently working it back and forth rather than forcing it. If it won’t budge, you may need to use the external stopcock in the pavement outside your property (you’ll need a stopcock key for that — a worthwhile £5 investment from any hardware shop).
Top tip: Don’t wait for an emergency to find your stopcock. Go and check you know where it is right now, and make sure it turns freely. You’ll thank yourself later.
2. Turn Off Your Boiler and Heating
If you’ve got a leak, turn off your boiler and central heating system. This stops hot water circulating through the system and reduces the risk of further damage.
For a combi boiler, simply switch it off at the unit or at the fuse spur nearby. For a system boiler with a hot water cylinder, turn off the immersion heater as well.
If your boiler itself is leaking, switch it off and do not attempt to repair it yourself — boilers should only be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
3. Catch the Water and Limit the Damage
While you wait for the emergency plumber to arrive, minimise water damage as much as you can:
- Put buckets, bowls and towels under any active leaks
- Move furniture, electronics and valuables away from the water
- Open taps after turning off the stopcock to drain any remaining water from the pipes (this relieves pressure and slows the leak)
- Mop up standing water to prevent it soaking into floorboards and causing long-term damage
- If water is coming through the ceiling, place a bucket underneath and carefully pierce the bulge with a screwdriver to control where the water drains — otherwise the weight of water can bring the ceiling down
4. Don’t Touch Electrics Near Water
This is a safety-critical one. Water and electricity are a deadly combination.
- If water is near electrical sockets, light switches or your fuse board, do not touch them
- If it’s safe to do so, turn off the electricity at the consumer unit (fuse board) — but only if you can reach it without stepping in water
- If in doubt, stay away and call an electrician as well as a plumber
We’ve attended emergencies in homes across Lewisham and Bromley where homeowners have narrowly avoided electric shocks by making the right call. When in doubt, stay safe first.
5. Take Photos and Document the Damage
Once you’ve controlled the immediate situation, take photos and videos of:
- The source of the leak (if visible)
- Any water damage to walls, ceilings, floors and belongings
- Water meter readings (if relevant)
This evidence is invaluable if you need to make an insurance claim later. Most home insurance policies cover escape of water, but your insurer will want evidence of the damage and the cause.
6. Know What NOT to Do
In the panic of a plumbing emergency, avoid these common mistakes:
- Don’t ignore a small leak — small leaks become big leaks, fast
- Don’t use DIY quick-fix tape as a permanent solution — it might buy you time but it’s not a proper repair
- Don’t try to repair gas appliances yourself — it’s illegal and dangerous
- Don’t pour boiling water down a frozen pipe — the sudden temperature change can crack the pipe. Use a hot water bottle or warm cloth instead
- Don’t block the plumber’s access — clear the area around the problem before they arrive to save time (and money)
DRMB — Your 24/7 Emergency Plumber in SE London
Plumbing emergencies don’t wait for business hours, and neither do we. DRMB Plumbing & Heating provides emergency callouts across SE London — including Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich, Eltham, Catford, Blackheath, Croydon and surrounding areas.
When you call us, you’ll speak to a real person — no call centres, no waiting. We’ll get an experienced, Gas Safe registered engineer to you as quickly as possible.
📞 Call us now: 0208 123 4807
💬 WhatsApp (24/7): 07946 444414
🌐 Website: drmb-plumbing.co.uk/contact
📧 Email: info@drmb-plumbing.co.uk
DRMB Plumbing & Heating — Fast, reliable emergency plumbers you can trust.