When a leak starts, most people do the same thing: stare at it for ten seconds, then start panicking and trying random taps.
Totally normal.
This page is the simple order that stops damage fast. You don’t need fancy tools.
You need: safe electrics, shut-off water (if needed), photos, then a proper fix.
If you’re in East London and the leak is near a light fitting or socket, call 07727 154746 — we’ll tell you what to switch off safely.
Need someone to actually sort it (not just advice)? See our main plumbing services in London. If the leak is tied to heating or pressure loss, our boiler repairs and boiler emergencies pages explain what to do next.
If water is near any electrics, don’t touch switches with wet hands. If you can safely switch off the circuit, do it. If you’re unsure, step back and call 07727 154746.
If it’s a tap, toilet, or visible pipe joint, turning off the local isolation valve can stop it quickly. If it’s not obvious, move to the stopcock/main shut-off.
Buckets, towels, a tray under a pipe — anything to stop water travelling under flooring. Sounds basic, but this is what saves skirting, carpets, and ceilings below.
Photos help with landlords/insurance, but more importantly, they help diagnosis later once the area dries. Get one wide shot and one close-up of where you think it starts.
People do this and make it worse. If you’ve isolated the water, keep it isolated until you’re confident it’s safe. If it’s a boiler-related leak, don’t keep running it “to see if it stops”. For heating faults, see our boiler repairs guide.
We’ll ask what you can see, where it is, and whether it’s near electrics. Depending on area and job, same-day is possible — but we’ll tell you honestly. If you need an urgent callout, start with our plumbing services page.
Leaks usually have a trigger: shower use, heating on, washing machine cycle, heavy rain. If you’re not sure where it’s coming from, this is the clean next step: how to find a hidden water leak.
Don’t ignore ceiling staining or bubbling paint. Water travels and then drops out somewhere else. Use this guide: ceiling water leak signs and fixes.
If the boiler is leaking, pressure keeps dropping, or you’ve lost heating/hot water, use our boiler emergencies page for urgent next steps, then call.
If you’re already seeing damp patches, mould starting, or the same area staying cold/wet for days, start here: our damp & leak detection hub.
If the leak is under the boiler or the pressure keeps dropping, don’t guess — use: boiler leaking water from underneath.
If you’ve had to shut the water off, or you’re seeing recurring damp, don’t leave it to chance. Call 07727 154746 and we’ll help you work out the right fix. For urgent repairs and callouts, start here: plumbing services in London.