A burst pipe can put a lot of water into a property in a short space of time, so speed matters, but so does doing the repair properly rather than just patching over the symptom. We repair burst and split pipes across Cheam, Sutton and the surrounding area, whether it is copper pipework that has split after freezing or a plastic pipe damaged during other work.
In winter, burst pipes are often linked to freezing, where water expands inside a pipe and splits it, usually in an unheated loft, garage or outside wall. In other cases a burst is caused by age, corrosion, or accidental damage from drilling or building work.
Emergency call-out availability may vary depending on engineer availability, so contact us and we will advise on availability and the quickest response we can provide, rather than us guessing an arrival time over the phone.
Common causes of burst pipes
- Freezing temperatures affecting pipework in unheated spaces
- Corrosion in older copper or steel pipework
- Accidental damage from drilling, nails or building work
- High water pressure stressing a weak point in the system
- Poor original installation or unsupported pipe runs
What to do immediately
The first priority is limiting water damage while keeping yourself safe.
Turn off the stopcock
This stops mains water reaching the burst pipe and is usually the single most effective thing you can do before help arrives.
Switch off electrics near water
If water is anywhere near sockets, switches or light fittings, turn off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit.
Open taps to drain the system
Running the cold taps briefly can help drain remaining water out of the pipework and reduce ongoing flow from the burst.
How we repair a burst pipe
An engineer will isolate the affected section, assess whether the surrounding pipework shows the same wear, and repair or replace the damaged length. Where freezing is the cause, we can advise on lagging exposed pipework to help reduce the chance of it happening again.
Charging for burst pipe repairs
Burst pipe repairs are charged by time, with the rate depending on when the work takes place, plus materials. There is no call-out charge and no separate emergency premium fee. Full rates are on /our-rates.
