Emergency response to burst pipes and hidden leaks
Burst Pipe and Leak Repair
Burst pipe and leak repair covers emergency attendance to isolate and stop an active leak, followed by locating the source and carrying out a permanent repair to the pipework, which may be a straightforward joint or section replacement or a more involved trace-and-access job for a hidden leak.
Definition
What Burst Pipe Repair covers
A burst pipe is a sudden failure, usually from freezing, corrosion or physical damage, that needs the water supply isolated immediately to limit damage. A hidden leak is less dramatic but can cause significant damage over time — through a slow drip behind a wall or under a floor — and often needs to be traced before it can be repaired.
Suitable for
- A burst or actively leaking pipe causing water damage
- A suspected hidden leak, such as damp patches or a persistently spinning water meter
- Frozen pipes that have split once thawed
- Leaks found during other building or renovation work
Not suitable for
- A suspected gas leak, which is not a plumbing matter — leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 immediately
- Leaks from the water supply pipe beyond your property boundary, which are a matter for the water authority
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Emergency callout
Attending promptly to isolate the water supply and stop further damage.
- 02
Locating the fault
Tracing the source of the leak, including behind walls or under floors where it isn't immediately visible.
- 03
Repair
Carrying out the repair — a section replacement, joint repair, or more extensive pipework as needed — and restoring the supply.
- 04
Making good
Advising on any drying-out or making-good work needed to the affected area, and referring you on where that falls outside our scope.
Typical timescale
Emergency attendance to isolate a burst pipe is typically same-day. The permanent repair is often completed on the same visit; a hidden leak that needs tracing can take longer to locate before the repair itself begins.
Cost guidance
Burst pipe and leak repair typically costs £110–£300 per callout in our area, made up of a fixed emergency callout charge plus hourly labour and parts, with the extent of pipe damage and how long the leak takes to trace pushing the price toward the top of the range. We provide an itemised quotation after assessment rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Making good decorations, flooring or ceilings damaged by the leak is quoted separately from the plumbing repair itself
- Insurance claims for leak damage are a matter between you and your insurer, though we can provide a report of the cause and repair carried out
Areas we cover
Burst Pipe Repair across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for burst pipe repair in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Burst Pipe Repair FAQs
What should I do immediately if I have a burst pipe?
Turn off the water at the stopcock, switch off any electrics in the affected area if water is near them, and call us. Isolating the supply quickly is the single biggest factor in limiting damage.
How do you find a hidden leak?
We start with visual signs — damp patches, meter readings, pressure tests on isolated sections — and use tracing methods to narrow down the location before opening anything up, to avoid unnecessary disruption.
Will you deal with my insurance company?
We can provide a report describing the cause of the leak and the repair carried out, which you can submit as part of a claim, though the claim itself is between you and your insurer.
Discuss your burst pipe repair project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.