Step 1: Turn Off the Water Supply (Stopcock)

The absolute first thing you must do is cut off the water source. If the water stops flowing into your house, it will eventually stop leaking through the floorboards.

• Locate your internal stopcock: This is usually found under the kitchen sink, in an airing cupboard, or near where the water pipe enters the house.
• Turn it clockwise: Twist the valve firmly to the right (clockwise) to shut off the mains supply.
• Run the cold taps: Go to the lowest point in your house (usually the kitchen sink) and turn on the cold taps to drain the remaining water out of the pipes quickly.

Step 2: Turn Off the Electricity

Water and electricity are a deadly combination. If water is dripping from light fixtures or spreading across a ceiling with recessed spotlights, you must act fast.

Step 3: Catch the Water & Protect Furniture

Now that you are safe from electrocution and the mains are off, mitigate the damage to your property.

• Place buckets, mixing bowls, or large cooking pots under the active drips.
• Put towels down around the bucket to catch splashes.
• Move any expensive electronics, furniture, or rugs out of the immediate area.

Step 4: Pierce the Ceiling (Controlled Release)

This sounds counter-intuitive, but it can save you thousands of pounds in structural damage. If you see a large, bulging bubble forming in your plasterboard ceiling, the water is pooling.

If you leave it, the weight of the water will eventually cause the entire ceiling to collapse, bringing down heavy plaster, insulation, and gallons of water all at once.

• Take a screwdriver or a broom handle.
• Place a large bucket directly underneath.
• Carefully poke a small hole in the center of the bulge to allow the water to drain out continuously.