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Report a Water Leak in London | Who to Call + What to Do First | ARA Services
Report a water leak • London

Report a water leak in London
(and don’t make it worse)

The confusing bit isn’t the leak… it’s who you’re meant to call. If the water’s outside, it could be the water board. If it’s inside after your stopcock, it’s usually on you. This page helps you work that out in two minutes.

Call 07727 154746 Work out who to report to

If you’re stuck right now (especially if it’s near electrics), call 07727 154746 and we’ll talk you through the safest next step before anything else.

Quick triage: is it “report to water board” or “call a plumber”?

Here’s the simplest way we explain it on the phone. It’s not perfect, but it’s practical. If you do one thing: find your stopcock and see what changes when you shut it.

Likely water board / public side

Water is coming up in the street, pavement, outside meter box, or you can see it running along the kerb. You’re “reporting a water leak” in the proper sense — it may be the main or public supply.

Street / pavement outside property Outside stop tap meter box Constant flow even when stopcock is off

Likely private leak (inside your responsibility)

Damp patches, ceiling staining, dripping under a sink, boiler pressure dropping, or a constant hiss in the wall. If turning your stopcock off changes it, it’s usually on the property side.

Ceiling stains or bubbling paint Kitchen/bathroom leak inside Stopcock affects it flow slows/stops
Small boiler note (because it catches people out): if you’re seeing water underneath the boiler, or you keep topping pressure up every day, don’t ignore it. Start here: boiler leaking water from underneath.
Talk to an engineer Go to damp & leak detection hub
ARA Services Ltd (Plumbing and Electrical Services)
Durning Hall, Suite 14, Hyat Hub 14, Earlham Grove, London E7 9AB • 07727 154746 • Open 24 hours • Google profile

What to do first (before you report anything)

You don’t need a toolkit. You need 5 calm steps. Half the damage we see comes from people panicking, leaving water running, or switching things on/off in the wrong order.

  1. Turn off the water at the stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink or near the front door cupboard).
  2. Switch off electrics if water is near sockets, lights, consumer unit, or dripping through ceilings.
  3. Open cold taps to relieve pressure and drain remaining water from the system.
  4. Take photos/video — where it’s coming from, the damage, and the meter if it’s spinning.
  5. Decide who to call using the triage above. If unsure, ring us and we’ll sanity-check it.
If you want a quick “hidden leak” check before a visit, this is the one: how to find hidden water leaks (simple checks). It’s the same stuff we ask over the phone.
Emergency advice: 07727 154746 What to do if you have a water leak

Our story (why we made this page)

We get the same call all the time: “I don’t even know who I’m meant to report this to.” Sometimes it’s a street leak and the customer feels guilty calling a plumber. Other times it’s soaking their ceiling and they’re on hold to the wrong place for 40 minutes.

So we wrote it down, properly. We’re not pretending we’ve got Hollywood leak detection gear — most of the time, it’s basic diagnosis, common sense, and knowing London housing quirks (boxings, old stop taps, conversions with pipework squeezed into weird places).

“I thought it was Thames Water because the damp was on the wall by the front door. Turned out the stopcock was leaking behind the panel. ARA sorted it and told me what to dry out afterwards.”
— recent customer (paraphrased)

What to say when you report a water leak

Whether you’re reporting it externally or booking a plumber, you’ll get faster help if you’re clear on a few details. This sounds obvious… until you’re stressed and standing in a puddle.

If it’s outside / street-side

Give a clear location (nearest house number, road name, landmark), how long it’s been running, and whether it’s coming from the ground, a cover, or a pipe you can see. Photos help. Video helps more.

If it’s inside / property-side

Tell us where the water is showing (ceiling, wall, floor), whether your stopcock changes anything, and if you’ve got signs like meter spinning, boiler pressure drop, or damp smell.

Ceiling staining, sagging plaster, or water appearing around lights? That’s a “don’t wait” situation. Read: ceiling water leak signs and fixes.

Need someone today?

Same-day can be possible depending on your area. We’ll tell you straight if it’s urgent, what it should cost, and what you can safely do while waiting.

Call ARA Services now

Reporting water leaks in London: FAQs

How do I know if the water leak is my responsibility?

A quick practical test is your stopcock. If you turn it off and the issue slows/stops, it’s usually on the property side. If the leak is in the street or continues regardless, it may be public-side and worth reporting.

I can hear water but can’t see it. What should I do?

Don’t start smashing tiles. First do a meter check (if you have access) and look for the “quiet signs” — damp smell, new staining, boiler pressure dropping, or flooring that feels soft. Use: hidden water leak checks.

Is a ceiling leak an emergency?

It can be. If there’s any risk to electrics, or the ceiling is bulging/sagging, treat it as urgent. Shut off water, isolate electrics if needed, and call: 07727 154746.

My boiler is leaking — should I still “report a water leak”?

Boiler leaks are normally property-side. If it’s leaking underneath or pressure keeps dropping, it’s a repair call. Start here: boiler leaking water from underneath.

Do you give a quote before coming out?

Yes. We’re transparent. We’ll ask a few quick questions and explain what’s included before any work starts.