You can reduce water damage during a plumbing emergency by stopping the flow as early as it is safe to do so, keeping water from spreading and moving belongings out of harm’s way. The sooner water is controlled, the less time it has to soak into floors, walls and ceilings.
These steps are about limiting damage, not fixing the fault, and safety always comes first. Only do what you can manage safely and calmly.
Stop the Water Where You Safely Can
If water is escaping from a fitting with an isolating valve, closing that valve may stop the flow. If not, turning off the stopcock is usually the next step. The stopcock is often under the kitchen sink, but it can be elsewhere in the property.
If the stopcock is stiff, do not force it. If water is near sockets, lights or appliances, keep clear and seek appropriate professional help rather than working around the electrics.
Keep the Water Contained
Once the flow is reduced, the aim is to stop the water travelling further. Depending on the situation, it may help to:
- Place bowls, buckets or towels under drips and around the edge of a spreading pool
- Mop up standing water from hard floors where it is safe to do so
- Keep doors closed to stop water reaching other rooms
- Avoid walking through water that may be near electrics
Opening windows can help damp air escape, but avoid using electric heaters or fans near wet areas until it is safe to do so.
If wastewater or sewage is involved, avoid direct contact, keep children and pets away and wash your hands thoroughly after any contact.
Protect Belongings and the Building
Move furniture, electrical items, rugs, paperwork and anything valuable away from the affected area if you can do so safely. Lifting items off the floor onto something waterproof can help in a room where water is spreading.
In kitchens and bathrooms, check inside lower cupboards and under units, as water can collect there unnoticed.
Water can also travel under flooring or along joists, so damage may appear some distance from the source. A damp patch in one room does not necessarily mean the leak is directly above it.
Record What Happened
Taking photographs of the water, the affected areas and any damaged items can be useful if you later need to make an insurance claim. It also helps to note when you first noticed the problem and what you did.
Once the immediate situation is under control, the cause still needs to be found and repaired. Our page on emergency plumbing in Poole explains the kinds of urgent problems that may need attention and what to do while you wait.
If water is escaping in your home or business and you need help bringing it under control, a plumber can talk through the situation and explain the next step.