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Problem Guides

Leaking Pipes

Dripping joints, burst pipes, weeping fittings

12 free DIY guides · 28 total

A leaking pipe needs dealing with quickly — even a slow weep from a compression joint can cause timber damage, mould growth, and eventually a much bigger repair bill. Most small leaks in UK homes occur at joints, valves, or where pipes connect to appliances, and many are DIY-fixable with the right part and a little confidence. These guides cover leaking compression fittings, dripping radiator valves, wet patches under floorboards, leaking overflow pipes, and what to do when a pipe has actually burst — including finding the stopcock and limiting water damage while you wait for a plumber.

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Where is the water coming from?

Bath Overflow Leaking Through Ceiling
Water coming through the ceiling or floor below the bathroom — traced to bath overflow or trap· 30–90 min
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Bathroom Floor Wet — Where Is the Leak Coming From?
Water on the bathroom floor with no obvious source — tracing the cause· 1–4 hrs
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Boiler leaking from the pressure relief valve
Water dripping from the safety discharge pipe outside or from a brass valve on the boiler· 1–3 hrs (engineer)
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Boiler pressure relief valve dripping
Water dripping from small pipe on outside wall near boiler· 1–2 hrs (engineer)
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Burst or cracked pipe
Significant water flowing from a pipe· 2 min
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Burst pipe after freezing — emergency steps and repair
Pipe has split after freezing — what to do right now· 1–3 hrs
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Compression fitting leaking — how to fix it
Water dripping from a brass compression joint on copper pipe· 20–30 min
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Condensate pipe leaking insideFree
Drips from the white plastic pipe running from the boiler· 15–30 min
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Copper pipe pinhole leak — causes and repair
Small hole in copper pipe causing a drip or spray of water· 1–4 hrs
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Dripping compression fittingFree
Leak at a nut joint on copper pipe· 15–30 min
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Fixing a leaking compression jointFree
Dripping from a brass olive-and-nut pipe fitting· 20–45 min
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Frozen pipes — how to thaw safely and prevent burstsFree
Water supply stopped in cold weather — frozen pipes in loft, garage, or external wall· 30 min–3 hrs
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How much does it cost to fix a burst pipe in the UK?
UK costs for repairing a burst or leaking pipe — access, pipe material, and emergency call-out costs all affect the price.· 1–4 hours
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How to find a leak hidden under the floor
Detecting a concealed pipe leak without ripping up floorboards· 1–3 hrs
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Leak under kitchen or bathroom sinkFree
Water found under the sink — could be the waste trap, supply pipes, or flexi hoses· 15–45 min
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Leak under the kitchen sink — how to trace and fix itFree
Water dripping inside the kitchen sink cabinet· 30–60 min
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Leaking push-fit pipe fittingFree
John Guest, Speedfit, or similar push-fit joint dripping· 15–30 min
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Overflow pipe dripping outsideFree
Small pipe on outside wall dripping water — toilet cistern or cold water tank overflowing· 20–40 min
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Overflow pipe dripping water outsideFree
Water dripping from a pipe on the outside of the house· 20–45 min
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Push-fit fitting leaking — how to fix without solderingFree
John Guest, Speedfit, or Hep2O push-fit fitting dripping or spraying· 30–60 min
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Radiator pinhole leak
Tiny leak seeping through radiator panel surface· 1–2 hrs
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Radiator valve leaking — how to fix it
Water dripping from the valve at the bottom of the radiator· 30–60 min
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Shower Tray Leaking — How to ResealFree
Water escaping around the edge of the shower tray or door frame onto the bathroom floor· 1–2 hrs (plus 24 hrs drying)
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Stopcock or stop tap is leaking
Fixing a dripping or leaking stopcock or isolating valve· 20–60 min
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Washing Machine LeakingFree
Water leaking from washing machine — from door, underneath, or from pipes behind it· 30–90 min
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Water dripping from the boiler
Boiler casing has water coming from it· 2 min
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Water leak coming through the ceiling — what to do
Tracing and stopping an overhead water leak before it causes serious damage· 30 min – few hours
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Water stain appearing on ceiling
Brown or wet patch appearing on ceiling below a bathroom or pipe run· 30 min investigation
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