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24/7 Emergency Drainage — Manchester & Greater Manchester — 0330 520 1963
Emergency 4 min read 26 February 2026

Burst Pipe Emergency: What to Do Right Now

A burst pipe floods your home within hours. Here's the immediate action plan and how to minimize damage.

Act Immediately

A burst pipe can flood a property within minutes. Water damage accelerates exponentially — within 24 hours, structural damage and mould growth become severe.

Your immediate priority is to **stop the water**. Then call emergency drainage repair. Everything else is secondary.

Step 1: Stop the Water

  • Turn off the main stopcock

    Locate your water main shutoff (usually under the kitchen sink, in a cupboard, or in the garage). Turn it clockwise to stop water flowing into your property.

  • If you can't find the stopcock

    Call your water company emergency number — they can shut off the water at the mains outside your property.

  • Open all cold taps

    This empties remaining water from the pipes and relieves pressure.

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Step 2: Damage Mitigation

Once the water is off:

- **Move furniture and valuables** away from the affected area to higher ground. - **Dry out the area** using towels, a mop, and if possible, open windows and use fans. Speed of drying is critical — mould starts growing within 24–48 hours in damp conditions. - **Turn off electrical circuits** in the affected area if water has reached power sockets or appliances. Do not use electrical equipment in wet areas — risk of electrocution. - **Take photographs** for your insurance claim.

Step 3: Call for Emergency Repair

Call Manchester Drainage Pro on 0330 520 1963 (24/7). We dispatch an engineer within 60 minutes to stabilize the leak and advise on permanent repair.

Provide our emergency team with: - Location of the burst (under kitchen sink, outside wall, garden, etc.) - Water still actively flowing or stopped? - Any visible damage to property - Whether the property is occupied or vacant

Step 4: Notify Your Insurer

Contact your home insurance provider immediately. Most policies cover burst pipes. Your insurer may: - Send a loss adjuster - Provide emergency restoration company contact details - Advise on temporary accommodation if the property is uninhabitable

Keep all receipts and documentation for the claim.

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