Burst Pipes & Leak Detection Northampton

Turn off the stop tap as soon as you spot a burst. It usually sits under the kitchen sink, says the Met Office. The mains pipe often enters the house nearby. The Met Office also advises testing the tap every six months, because a tap left alone can seize.

Next, switch off the boiler and heating, then open the taps to drain the pipes. Keep away from electrics near the leak, because water and power do not mix. Soak up what you can with towels.

Our guide to the warning signs of a burst pipe shows what to look for. Our first 10 minutes checklist covers the rest.

Frozen pipes can split as they thaw. Thaw them slowly with hot water bottles or warm towels, while the stop tap stays off and a nearby cold tap stays open. Never use a naked flame or a blowtorch.

Hidden leaks show up as damp patches, stained ceilings or a rising water bill. Finding the source can take careful checks, so describe what you see when you send the form. Photos of damp spots help the engineer plan, because hidden leaks are hard to trace.

Check whether your home insurance policy covers escape of water, since cover differs. Take photos of the damage before you clear up. Then ask the engineer for an invoice that describes the repair.

Guides vary by job, so treat these figures as a rough idea. TradeMatch gives £150 to £400 for a burst pipe repair. MyJobQuote shows about £100 in labour alone, before parts.

Easy-to-reach pipes sit at the low end, while hidden pipes cost more. These are not our prices, so send a request for an exact quote. Our pricing page has more guide ranges.

We cover Northampton and towns within 30 miles. Local pages cover plumbers in Milton Keynes, plumbers in Newport Pagnell and plumbing in Stony Stratford, while you can also see plumbers in Olney, plumbing in Roade and our full list of areas.

If the leak is part of a wider emergency, use the emergency plumber page. For a leaking cylinder, see water tank and cylinder repair.