Quick answer. Turn off the main stopcock, switch off the electricity if the water reaches sockets or the fuse box, move anything that could get wet and take photos. Then call an emergency plumber and warn the neighbour below if the water could reach their home.
A jet of water coming out of the wall or a puddle growing under the sink: at that moment nobody thinks calmly. That is why it is worth reading this before it happens. Five minutes that could save you a parquet floor, a plaster ceiling and an argument with the neighbour downstairs.
Minute by minute
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Minutes 0 to 2 | Turn off the main stopcock or the one for the leaking appliance |
| Minutes 2 to 5 | Switch off the electricity in the area if there is water near sockets or the fuse box |
| Minutes 5 to 15 | Mop up water, move furniture and rugs, open windows |
| Minutes 15 to 30 | Take photos and video, warn the neighbour below and call the plumber |
| The same day | Report it to your insurer and keep the emergency invoices |
Where the stopcock is
It is the million-dollar question when there is water on the floor. Find it today, calmly:
- In flats: in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in a cupboard by the entrance or next to the meter on the landing.
- In houses and villas: near the meter at the entrance to the plot, or in the garage or utility room.
- On each appliance: washing machines, cisterns, water heaters and basins usually have their own small valve.
Open and close it once a year: valves that are never touched seize up just when you need them most.
If the water reaches the electrics
Only switch off the main switch if you can reach the fuse box without stepping in water. Do not touch wet electrical appliances or plug or unplug anything with wet hands. If people are at risk, call 112.
Emergency kit to keep at home
- Buckets and old towels to hand.
- A torch, in case you have to switch off the electricity.
- A photo on your phone showing where your stopcock and meter are.
- Your insurer's phone number and your policy number.
- An emergency plumber's number saved on your phone.
Plumber's tip: if the pipe that burst is old, ask about the condition of the rest. When a section of old iron or copper pipe fails, the one next to it is usually just as worn.
What the plumber will do
First they stop the leak for good, then repair or replace the damaged section and check there are no further losses. If the installation is old, they may suggest replacing a longer section so it does not happen again. Always ask for a quote before the permanent repair. If the water is coming from above and not from your home, see our guide on a leak from the upstairs neighbour.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover a burst pipe?
Many home insurance policies cover water damage and sometimes the pipe repair. It depends on your policy: notify your insurer as soon as possible.
I can't find the stopcock. What should I do?
Ask the president of the association or the caretaker: in some buildings there are valves for each home in the meter rooms. If you can't find it, call the plumber and explain that you cannot turn off the water.
Has a pipe just burst?
We handle plumbing emergencies 24 hours a day in Valencia and nearby towns.