Protect Your Home From Burst Pipes While Away

A burst pipe can cause significant water damage, particularly if it happens while a property is empty.

Before going away, a few simple plumbing checks can help reduce the risk of leaks, burst pipes and costly repairs.

If the worst does happen, having the right precautions in place can also make it easier to deal with the situation quickly

Check Your Plumbing Before You Go Away

Before leaving your property for more than a few days, take some time to look for signs of plumbing problems.

Check beneath sinks and around toilets, baths, showers and appliances for leaks or damp patches. Check visible pipework for corrosion, damage or signs that water has been escaping.

Don’t ignore a small leak. Minor plumbing issues can quickly develop into larger and more expensive problems.

If something does not look right, arranging a repair before you leave is easier than dealing with emergency plumbing from another location.

Find and Check Your Stop Tap

Make sure you know where your internal stop tap is located. In many homes, you will find it beneath the kitchen sink or close to where the mains water enters the property.

Check that the stop tap turns and is not seized. You do not want to discover that it cannot be moved when water is already escaping.

If someone is checking on the property while you are away, show them where the stop tap is and how to shut off the water if necessary.

Should You Turn Off the Water Supply Before Going Away?

If the property will be empty for an extended period, you might consider turning off the mains water supply.

However, before you do this, make sure your heating system isn’t dependent on the water supply to operate correctly.

If you are unsure, check with a qualified plumber or a heating engineer before turning anything off.

Don’t switch the heating off completely during freezing conditions as it may lead to pipes freezing. Instead, maintain an appropriate background temperature while the property is empty.

But you should check that vulnerable pipes in lofts, garages and other unheated spaces are properly insulated. Outside taps and pipework may also need protection.

Ask a Trusted Person to Check Your Property

Having a trusted neighbour, friend or relative who can access the property could be invaluable if a problem occurs while you're away.

Leave them with a key and your contact details, and make sure they know where the stop tap is located. If you’re away for longer periods, consider asking them to check on the property occasionally.

Consider a Water Leak Detector

Leak detectors can provide an early warning when nobody is home.

Depending on the system, sensors can detect water in vulnerable areas or identify unusual water consumption. Some devices can send an alert directly to your phone. Some have valve shut-off capacity.

They do not prevent a burst pipe. But an early warning or automatic shut-off can give you more time to fix a problem or limit the damage.

What If Water Is Near the Electrics?

A burst pipe can affect sockets, lights, appliances and electrical wiring. Water may also travel through walls and ceilings before becoming visible.

Do not touch electrical equipment that is wet or standing in water. And do not ask a neighbour or keyholder to enter a flooded area to reach a switch or consumer unit.

Where electrical installations may have been affected, they should be checked by a qualified electrician.

Even after the visible water has gone, moisture can remain within walls, ceilings and electrical fittings. Have any potential risks investigated before the affected fittings are used again.

Arrange Emergency Plumbing Repairs

Turning off the water limits further leakage, but it does not repair the cause of the problem.

Get an emergency plumber to identify where the pipe has failed and assess the surrounding plumbing.

The plumber can also check whether another problem contributed to the failure. For example, pipes can burst because of freezing, corrosion, excessive pressure or deterioration over time.

If the damaged pipe is hidden behind a wall, beneath a floor or above a ceiling, locating it may require further investigation.

A plumber can repair the failed pipework, but significant water damage may require drying, electrical checks or building repairs.

What Should You Check When You Return Home?

You’ll probably find staining or damp patches on walls and ceilings. Flooring may have lifted, warped or become saturated. Water can also collect beneath kitchen units, inside cupboards and behind furniture.

If a pipe has burst upstairs, water may have travelled through floor voids and travelled some distance from the original leak.

Do not assume everything is dry because the visible water has disappeared. Materials such as plasterboard, insulation and timber can retain moisture.

Extensive flooding often needs professional drying equipment.

When Should You Contact Your Insurer?

If the burst pipe has caused property damage, contact your insurer as soon as reasonably possible.

Take photographs and videos before damaged items are moved or discarded, where it’s practical. Keep invoices for any emergency repairs and make a record of what happened.

Your insurer may also have specific requirements for repairs or water-damage restoration. Therefore, check your own policy details.

What Should Landlords Do If a Pipe Bursts in an Empty Property?

Burst pipes can be particularly problematic in empty rental properties because leaks may remain unnoticed for longer.

Discovering it might come down to damage to a neighbouring property.

Regular inspections can also help identify smaller plumbing problems before they develop. This is particularly important if a property will remain empty for an extended period.

If tenants are going away, make sure they know how to report an urgent plumbing problem. They should know who to contact if they receive an alert or hear from a neighbour while away.

Need Emergency Plumbing Help?

A burst pipe or escape of water needs attention quickly, particularly when water is still escaping into the property.

If you are alerted to a problem while you’re away, arrange for the water to be isolated if possible. Professional plumbing services, like those offered at Able Group can find the source of the leak, repair [CR1] the damaged pipework and get your water flowing again. Contact our team for advice and services, 24 hours a day.

Once the immediate problem is under control, you can assess any wider damage and arrange the additional work needed to get the property back to normal.