When water is pouring from a pipe, a toilet will not stop overflowing or the supply to your home has suddenly stopped, you need help quickly and you need the problem fixed properly. Our emergency plumbing service helps homes and businesses in Swindon, Wiltshire, deal with urgent plumbing problems, from the first call through to the repair.
Tell us what is happening and where, and we will get back to you about the next step.
A plumbing emergency is a fault that could damage your property, affect your safety, or leave you without water or a working toilet. Common examples include a burst water pipe, a serious water leak you cannot control, water coming through a ceiling, an overflowing toilet and a sudden loss of your mains water supply.
Some problems feel urgent but can wait a short time. A slowly dripping tap or a toilet that runs between flushes wastes water and should be fixed, but it rarely causes damage overnight. If you are unsure, describe what you can see and hear so a plumber can judge how quickly the problem needs attention. Our guide on what counts as a plumbing emergency in Swindon goes through more examples of problems that need help straight away.
A burst water pipe or a leaking joint can release a large amount of water in a short time. Damage often spreads into floors, ceilings and wall cavities, so getting the water under control is the first priority.
A cistern that keeps filling, a toilet that overflows when flushed or water pooling around the pan may be associated with a faulty valve, a worn seal or a damaged connection.
No water, very low water pressure or a sudden change in pressure can come from a fault inside the property or from the public mains, so the cause needs to be checked before anything is replaced.
If water is escaping, turning off the supply at the stopcock can limit the damage, as long as you can reach it safely and know how to operate it. In many homes the internal stop tap is under the kitchen sink, but it can also be in a cloakroom, a utility room or a cupboard where the supply pipe enters the property.
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If water is near sockets, light fittings or your consumer unit, keep away from the area and do not touch switches or equipment that may be wet. Do not walk through standing water if the electrics could be affected.
Move belongings away from the water if you can do so safely, and take photos of any damage for your insurer. Avoid trying to repair pressurised pipework yourself, as a makeshift fix can fail and make the damage worse.
Plumbers do not handle gas emergencies. If you smell gas, call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. For a fuller checklist, see what to do before an emergency plumber arrives.
Not every water problem starts inside your home. Swindon Borough Council notes that problems with public water supplies are dealt with by Thames Water, so a leak in the road or a supply failure affecting the whole street should be reported to them.
Pipework, fittings and appliances inside a property are normally the owner’s responsibility. If you rent, tell your landlord or managing agent about the problem as soon as you can. A plumber can help work out whether a fault sits within your property’s plumbing or further back on the supply.
An emergency visit usually starts with making the situation safe and stopping any water that is still escaping. The plumber then looks at the affected pipework, fittings or appliance to find where the fault is, rather than assuming the cause from one symptom.
Some problems can be fixed in a single visit, such as replacing a failed valve or a damaged section of pipe. Others need a temporary repair first, with a permanent repair planned once parts are available or the area has dried out. You should be told what was found, what was done and whether further work is recommended.
Emergency work is one part of the wider plumbing services in Swindon we offer to homeowners, tenants, landlords and local businesses.
The cost depends on the fault and the work needed to put it right. The main factors are the type of problem, how easy the pipework is to reach, the parts and materials required, how long the repair takes and when the work is carried out. Repairs behind tiled walls, under floors or in tight spaces usually take longer than repairs to exposed pipework.
It is sensible to ask what the price includes before work begins, and whether a temporary repair will be followed by a permanent one. Our article on how much an emergency plumber costs in Swindon explains these factors in more detail.
Common questions about urgent plumbing problems and what to do.
Call when water is escaping and you cannot control it, when a toilet or cistern is overflowing, when you have no water at all, or when a leak is close to electrics. These problems can cause damage or safety risks quickly.
Turning off the stopcock can stop or slow the flow from a leak. Only do this if you can reach it safely and know how it works. If it is stiff or hard to reach, do not force it.
That depends on where the fault is. If only the faulty fitting is isolated, the rest of the system may still work. If the main supply is off, taps will not run and toilets will not refill until it is restored.
Many home insurance policies cover some escape-of-water damage, but cover varies. Check your policy and keep photos of the damage.
Usually not. A dripping tap wastes water and should be repaired, but it rarely causes damage quickly. It can normally be booked as a standard plumbing repair.
Explain what has happened, where the water is coming from, whether you have turned off the supply and whether water is near any electrics. Photos can help too.
If you have an urgent plumbing problem at a home or business in Swindon, call us on 01793 569521 or send us a message through our contact page. Tell us what has happened and where, and we will talk through the next step with you.
Emergency Plumber Swindon helps homes and businesses in Swindon with burst pipes, leaks and urgent plumbing repairs. Call 01793 569521 to talk through your plumbing problem.