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It’s important to act quickly but calmly if you do have a burst pipe. If you are well organised, you should be able to keep damage to a minimum, and stop water from spreading any further. Just remember this five step guide to dealing with burst water pipes:

1. Turn off the water supply
Always make sure you know the location of your stop cock in case of emergency. It will normally be located wherever the water supply enters the property. Switching it off will prevent more water from feeding into the pipes and causing further damage. Once the water is off, turn on all of your cold taps to drain any excess water out of the system.

2. Consider turning off the electricity
If there is any chance that water could have leaked  onto any electrics, you should turn off the electricity supply immediately at the fusebox. You may be able to just turn off the affected areas, but if in doubt just turn everything off – make sure you have a torch if it’s dark. Electrical wiring or sockets that may have got wet can be dangerous. DO NOT touch if there is any chance they could be wet.

3. Turn off the heating system
Turn off any immersion heater and central heating system to prevent heating the system while it is empty, as this could cause damage. Turn on all hot water taps to drain any excess water out of the system.

4. Check your property for water damage
Check ceilings in the property for bulging caused by water pooling above. Stay clear of any ceilings which are bulging significantly, in case they should collapse. For any ceilings starting to bulge, and providing it is safe to do so, you could make a small hole to allow the water to escape slowly into a container below.

5. Consult a professional
For your own safety, try to have another person with you when you move around the property. In addition, make sure you consult a plumber and electrician before the water and electricity are turned back on.