Not every plumbing problem needs an emergency response. Some, though, genuinely can't wait. That includes sewage backing up, a room flooding, or a burst pipe pouring water where it shouldn't. What you do in the first few minutes shapes how much damage you'll clean up afterwards.
Recognising when it's genuinely urgent
Some situations count as genuine emergencies. Act on these immediately, rather than waiting to see if they settle down:
- Sewage coming back up through a drain or toilet
- Water flooding from a blocked drain
- Several fixtures backing up at once
- A strong sewage smell indoors
- A pipe actively spraying or pooling water
Stop putting more water into the system
If drains are backing up, stop using water in the property right away. That means no flushing, no taps, and no washing machine or dishwasher. Because every extra bit of water going in makes a backed-up system worse, hold off until help arrives. Not sure whether you're dealing with a blocked drain or an escaping pipe? Our guide to telling the two apart covers the key differences.
For a burst pipe, find your stopcock
If water is actively escaping from a pipe, find your stopcock. It's usually under the kitchen sink, or near where the mains enters the property. Turn the water off completely. This single step does more to limit damage than anything else you can do before help arrives.
Protect what you can
Move furniture and anything valuable away from the affected area. Roll up rugs and carpets if there's time. Meanwhile, towels or anything absorbent can help slow the water from spreading further.
Keep clear of contaminated water
Since sewage carries genuine health risks, keep children and pets well away from it. If you have to be near it, wear gloves and boots. Avoid touching your face, and wash thoroughly afterwards.
Don't reach for chemical drain cleaner
In a genuine emergency, pouring anything down the drain won't help. Chemicals can make a bad situation worse, especially because an engineer may need to work on that pipe.
While you're waiting for us
Take photos of the damage for insurance purposes, and note when the problem started. Clear access to manholes or your stopcock if you haven't already. It also helps to check whether a neighbour has the same problem. That can point to a shared sewer issue, since it would then not be specific to your property.
Getting help fast
We respond to emergency drain services callouts across Exeter and the surrounding area. We're available 24 hours a day. It might turn out to be a burst pipe, a major leak, or a total loss of water or heating, rather than a blocked drain. If so, our emergency plumber service covers exactly that. That includes emergency plumber cover in Exeter, Exmouth, and Newton Abbot.
Whether it's a flooding emergency, a sewage emergency, or burst pipe repair, your engineer carries the equipment to diagnose the problem. In most cases, they fix it on the same visit.
Request urgent help online if you're dealing with any of the above right now.
Areas we cover
- CCTV Drain Surveys in Exeter
- Blocked Drains in Topsham
- Drain Repairs in Topsham
- Drain Jetting in Exmouth
- Drain Unblocking in Crediton
- Tiverton
- Emergency Drain Services in Tiverton
- CCTV Drain Surveys in Honiton
- Blocked Drains in Sidmouth
- Drain Repairs in Sidmouth
- Drain Jetting in Dawlish
- Drain Unblocking in Newton Abbot
- Emergency Plumber in Exeter
- Emergency Plumber in Exmouth
- Emergency Plumber in Newton Abbot
