First things first: stop the water
A burst pipe can cause serious damage in minutes. The single most important thing you can do is find your stopcock and turn off the water supply. In most Scottish homes, the internal stopcock is under the kitchen sink. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
If you cannot find the internal stopcock, there is an external one near your property boundary, usually under a small metal or plastic cover in the pavement. You may need a stopcock key to turn it — most hardware shops sell them for a few pounds.
Drain the system
Once the water is off, open all cold taps to drain the remaining water in the pipes. This reduces the amount of water that can leak out. If the burst is on a hot water pipe, turn off your boiler or immersion heater first, then open the hot taps.
Flush the toilets to empty the cisterns. The less water in the system, the less damage it can do.
Contain the leak
Put buckets, towels, or anything absorbent under the leak. If water is coming through a ceiling, it can help to puncture the bulge with a screwdriver — controlled drainage is better than a ceiling collapse. Put a bucket underneath first.
Move furniture and valuables away from the affected area. If water is near electrical sockets or appliances, turn off the electricity at the consumer unit.
Call a plumber
If the leak is significant, call an emergency plumber. Most reputable plumbers — ourselves included — offer 24/7 emergency callouts. When you call, have your address ready and be able to describe where the leak is and how bad it seems.
While you wait, do not attempt to solder or permanently fix the pipe yourself unless you know what you are doing. A temporary repair with pipe repair tape or a pipe clamp can slow the leak, but these are not long-term solutions.
Temporary fixes that actually work
If you need to slow a leak while waiting for us to arrive:
Pipe repair tape: wrap it tightly around the damaged section, overlapping each layer by half. This can hold for a few hours on a small crack.
Pipe clamp: available from most hardware shops. These clamp over the damaged section with a rubber seal. They are surprisingly effective as a temporary measure.
Epoxy putty: knead it until the colours merge, press it firmly over the crack, and wait for it to cure. Best for pinhole leaks rather than major splits.
After the repair
Once the pipe is fixed, check for water damage. Damp plasterboard, wet carpets, and soaked insulation can all lead to mould if not dried properly. Open windows, use fans, and consider hiring a dehumidifier for a few days.
If the damage is significant, contact your home insurance provider. Most policies cover burst pipes, but you will need to document the damage with photos and keep receipts for any emergency repairs.
Preventing future bursts
Most burst pipes in Glasgow happen during cold snaps when water freezes and expands inside the pipe. You can reduce the risk by lagging exposed pipes in unheated areas — lofts, garages, under floorboards. Pipe insulation is cheap and easy to fit yourself.
If you are going away in winter, leave your heating on low (around 12-15 degrees) to prevent pipes from freezing. It costs less than you might think and is far cheaper than repairing water damage.