Emergency Plumber explained
A burst pipe can soak a home quickly, because water keeps flowing until someone shuts it off. The first job is to stop the water. The second is to ask for help.
This page covers water pipes, taps, toilets and cisterns. The stopcock is the first thing to find, because it shuts off the water to the whole home. Once the flow stops, you have time to think, and you can send a request through the form. The form is open 24/7.
Some water problems are really drain problems. Sewage, a gully that overflows or a toilet that will not clear point to the drains. For those, read emergency drain services instead.
What to do in the first few minutes
Work through these steps in order. Each one limits the damage, since less water means less to dry out later.
- Turn off the water at the stopcock
- Open the cold taps to let the pipes empty
- Keep away from sockets and lights if water is near them
- Switch off the power only if you can reach the switch without standing in water
- Move belongings out of the way and take photos for your insurer
- Send a request and mark it urgent
Never touch electrics with wet hands, since water and power are a dangerous mix. If anyone is in danger, call 999.
Where is the stopcock?
The stopcock is a tap on the supply pipe. It shuts off the water to the whole home. Look under the kitchen sink first, since that is a common spot.
Other places include a utility room, a cupboard, under the stairs or by the front door. Turn it clockwise to close it. It may be stiff if nobody has used it for years, so turn it slowly.
Find yours before an emergency, then show everyone in the home. A few minutes now can save a lot of water later.
Which problem do you have?
Use this table as a rough guide. One symptom can have several causes, so an engineer may need to look.
| What you see | What it may be | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Water spraying or dripping from a pipe | A burst or split pipe, or a failed joint | Shut off at the stopcock, then send an urgent request |
| A toilet or cistern that keeps overflowing | A stuck valve, or a block further down | Turn off the supply to it if you can, then ask for help |
| No water, or a weak flow | A supply fault, a closed valve or a split pipe | Ask a neighbour if they have water, then check the stopcock is fully open |
| A damp patch on a ceiling or wall | A leak above or behind the surface | Shut off the water and send a request |
| Wet ground outside, with no rain | A leak on the supply pipe | Read who owns the pipe below |
| Sewage, or a gully that overflows | A drain problem, not a supply problem | Read the emergency drain page |
Who owns the leaking pipe?
Your water bill names your water supplier, because the company differs by address. Essex & Suffolk Water lists Chelmsford in its Essex supply area.
A supplier fixes leaks on its own pipework, while owners fix leaks on private pipework. If Essex & Suffolk Water is your supplier, its fixing leaks page says it sends a technician in 1 to 5 days, depending on the leak. It also says a repair can take up to 21 days where the council must give permission to dig. That is that company's own statement, not a promise from this site.
A leak on private pipework is yours to fix, and that includes the pipes inside your home. If you are not sure whose pipe is leaking, ask the engineer to check, and ask your water company too.
Typical UK costs for an emergency plumber
These are typical UK ranges from national price guides, not Essex quotes. Out-of-hours work usually costs more, since night and weekend rates apply.
| Item | Typical UK range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Call-out charge, average | About £75 (£70 to £120 in major cities) | MyJobQuote, emergency plumber guide 2026 |
| Call-out charge, range | £50 to £150 | PlumberMarket, plumber cost guide |
| Hourly rate, average | About £60 (£55 to £95) | MyJobQuote, emergency plumber guide 2026 |
| Hourly rate, daytime | £45 to £85 | PlumberMarket, plumber cost guide |
| Emergency call-out fee | Typically 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate | PlumberMarket, plumber cost guide |
| Hourly rate, emergency work | £75 to £120 | PlumberMarket, plumber cost guide |
| Burst or broken pipe | About £100 of labour for 1 to 3 hours | MyJobQuote, emergency plumber guide 2026 |
| Leaking pipe repair | £100 to £500, depending on where the pipe is | PlumberMarket, plumber cost guide |
| Burst water pipe, total | £150 to £270 | MyJobQuote, emergency plumber guide 2026 |
Ask the engineer whether there is a call-out charge, and ask for a written quote before work starts. Ask what the price includes too, because parts and labour may be priced apart. Compare two quotes if the job looks large.
Is it a drain problem instead?
Water coming in is a plumbing problem, while waste water going out is a drain problem. If a toilet, sink or gully will not clear, read about blocked drains or drain unblocking. If sewage or flood water is coming up, use emergency drain services.
The full list of services shows every guide on this site.
What this page does not cover
This page covers water pipes, taps, toilets and cisterns. Gas appliances need a Gas Safe registered engineer, so this page does not cover them.
Local pages for this service
Local pages cover plumbing emergencies for three towns. Start with emergency plumber help in Chelmsford, which is the main page. If you are further out, read burst pipe and leak help in Brentwood or Braintree emergency plumber guide. Each of those pages links back here.
Ask for help
Use the request form at the top of the page. Say what the problem is, where it sits and whether it is urgent, so the engineer can plan. Then ask for a written quote before work starts.
Go to the request formEmergency Plumber questions answered
Is a burst pipe an emergency?
Usually, yes. Water keeps flowing until you shut it off. Turn off the stopcock first. Then mark your request urgent on the form.
How do I know if I have a burst pipe?
Look for water spraying or dripping, damp patches on walls or ceilings, or a sudden drop in water pressure. If you are not sure, shut off the water and ask an engineer to check.
Where is my stopcock?
Look under the kitchen sink first. It can also sit in a utility room, a cupboard, under the stairs or by the front door. Turn it clockwise to close it.
How much does an emergency plumber cost in the UK?
MyJobQuote gives an average call-out of about £75 and an hourly rate of about £60. PlumberMarket says emergency call-out fees are typically 1.5 to 3 times the standard rate. These are national guides, not Essex quotes, so ask for the price in writing.
Who is responsible for a leaking water pipe outside my home?
Your water supplier fixes leaks on its own pipework, and owners fix leaks on private pipework. Your water bill names your supplier. If you are not sure whose pipe it is, ask the water company to check.
Is a blocked toilet a plumbing emergency?
A toilet that will not clear is usually a drain problem, so read the blocked toilet guide. An overflowing cistern is a plumbing problem. Turn off the supply to it, then send a request.