Burst and Frozen Pipes: Emergency Guide
What to do when a pipe bursts or freezes. Emergency steps, plumber costs, insurance claims, and how to prevent frozen pipes in winter.
A burst pipe is every UK homeowner's winter nightmare. Water pouring through ceilings, ruined carpets, damaged electrics - and the clock is ticking. Knowing what to do in the first five minutes can mean the difference between a £200 repair and a £5,000 insurance claim.
This guide covers emergency response, repair costs, and how to prevent it happening in the first place.
Emergency Response: The First 5 Minutes
Step 1: Turn Off the Water
Find your internal stopcock and turn it clockwise to close. It's usually:
- Under the kitchen sink
- In a downstairs cupboard near the front door
- Where the supply pipe enters the house
If you can't find the stopcock or it's seized, turn off the water at the external stop valve - a brass valve in a small pit (usually with a blue or black cover) near your front boundary. You may need a stopcock key (£5–£10 from any hardware store - keep one accessible).
Step 2: Turn Off Heating and Electrics
- Switch off the central heating (boiler and/or immersion heater) to prevent the system refilling with water from the cold tank
- If water is near electrical fittings, switches, or the consumer unit, turn off the electricity at the main switch
- Never touch electrical fittings that are wet or near standing water
Step 3: Drain the System
- Open all cold taps to drain remaining water from the system
- Flush toilets to empty the cisterns
- If the burst is in the hot water system, open the hot taps too (once the boiler is off)
Step 4: Contain the Damage
- Place buckets and towels under the leak
- Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the water
- If water is pooling on a ceiling, poke a small hole in the plasterboard to release it in a controlled location (into a bucket) rather than letting the whole ceiling collapse
Step 5: Call for Help
- Emergency plumber - for the pipe repair
- Home insurance - report the claim as soon as possible. Many insurers have 24/7 emergency claims lines and approved contractor networks
Repair Costs
Pipe Repairs
| Repair | Cost |
|---|---|
| Emergency callout (daytime, weekday) | £100–£200 |
| Emergency callout (evening/weekend) | £150–£300 |
| Simple pipe repair (cut and join) | £150–£350 total |
| Pipe repair in wall or floor (access + repair) | £300–£800 |
| Replace frozen/damaged pipe section | £200–£500 |
| New stopcock installation | £150–£300 |
| Replace cold water tank in loft | £300–£600 |
Water Damage Repair
The pipe repair itself is usually the cheap part. The water damage is where costs escalate:
| Damage | Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Ceiling replaster and repaint (one room) | £300–£800 |
| Ceiling replacement (plasterboard, skim, paint) | £500–£1,200 |
| Plastering water-damaged walls | £300–£800 per room |
| Carpet replacement (one room) | £300–£1,000 |
| Laminate/LVT floor replacement (one room) | £400–£1,200 |
| Drying out (dehumidifiers, 2–4 weeks) | £200–£600 |
| Electrical repairs (damaged circuits) | £200–£800 |
| Typical total (burst in loft, damages bedroom below) | £1,500–£4,000 |
Insurance Claims
Most home insurance policies cover burst pipes under escape of water:
- Buildings insurance: Structural damage - ceilings, walls, fixed flooring, electrics
- Contents insurance: Damaged possessions - furniture, electronics, clothing
- Typical excess: £100–£500
- Claim process: Report immediately, take photos, keep damaged items for the assessor, get emergency repairs done (keep receipts)
Important: Insurers may reduce or reject claims if you failed to take reasonable precautions - Citizens Advice has guidance on insurance disputes. Common reasons include leaving the heating off during a cold snap while away, or not insulating pipes in the loft.
Frozen Pipes: Prevention
Insulate Vulnerable Pipes
Pipes in unheated spaces are most at risk:
- Loft - the most common location for frozen pipes in UK homes
- Garage - especially if the garage is attached and has water supply
- External walls - pipes running inside or along cold external walls
- Under suspended floors - ventilated voids beneath ground-floor floorboards
Foam pipe insulation costs £1–£3 per metre and takes minutes to fit. It's the single most cost-effective prevention measure.
| Insulation Job | DIY Cost | Professional Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Loft pipes (15–20m typical) | £20–£40 | £100–£200 |
| Garage pipes | £10–£30 | £80–£150 |
| External wall pipes | £10–£20 | £80–£150 |
| Cold water tank jacket | £15–£30 | £50–£100 |
Keep the Heating On
During cold spells (below 0°C):
- Set your heating to a minimum of 12–15°C continuously, even overnight
- If going away in winter, never turn the heating off completely - set it to 12°C minimum
- Consider a smart thermostat (£200–£400 installed) that alerts you via phone if the temperature drops below a set threshold
- Open loft hatches slightly to allow warm air to circulate around loft pipes
Fix Dripping Taps
A dripping tap means water is sitting still in the pipe - standing water freezes faster than flowing water. Fix dripping taps before winter (£50–£150 per tap for a new washer or cartridge).
Know Your Stopcock
Test your stopcock before an emergency. Turn it off and on once a year to check it's not seized. If it's stiff, apply penetrating oil and work it gently. A seized stopcock during a burst pipe emergency is a disaster.
- New stopcock installation: £150–£300 if yours is faulty or inaccessible
When Pipes Freeze but Don't Burst
If you discover frozen pipes before they burst, you have a chance to thaw them safely:
- Turn off the water at the stopcock as a precaution
- Open the tap nearest to the frozen section
- Apply gentle heat from the tap end, working backward:
- Hairdryer on low/medium setting
- Hot water bottles wrapped in towels
- Warm (not boiling) water poured over towels wrapped around the pipe
- Be patient - it may take 30–60 minutes for flow to restore
- Check for leaks as the ice melts - the expansion may have already cracked a joint
Never use: Blowtorches, heat guns on high, boiling water directly on pipes, or any naked flame. The thermal shock can crack pipes and joints, and the fire risk near timber joists is significant.
Ongoing Maintenance
| Task | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Check pipe insulation in loft | Annually (before winter) | Free |
| Test stopcock | Annually | Free |
| Service boiler | Annually | £60–£120 |
| Fix dripping taps | As needed | £50–£150 per tap |
| Bleed radiators | Annually | Free (DIY) |
| Check loft tank ball valve | Annually | Free |
Next Steps
- Locate your stopcock now - don't wait for an emergency
- Insulate all exposed pipes before winter (£20–£50 DIY)
- Set minimum heating during cold spells (12–15°C)
- Check your insurance - confirm escape of water is covered and note your excess
- Save an emergency plumber's number - find a Gas Safe-registered or TrustMark-vetted plumber before you need one
- Get a repair estimate - use our repair calculator for plumbing costs in your area
- Check our glossary for terms like stopcock, ball valve, and compression fitting
Frequently Asked Questions
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