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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
Bathroom Floor Wet — Where Is the Leak Coming From?
Water on the bathroom floor with no obvious source — tracing the cause· 1–4 hrs
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)
Boiler pressure relief valve dripping
Water dripping from small pipe on outside wall near boiler· 1–2 hrs (engineer)
Burst or cracked pipe
Significant water flowing from a pipe· 2 min
Burst pipe after freezing — emergency steps and repair
Pipe has split after freezing — what to do right now· 1–3 hrs
Compression fitting leaking — how to fix it
Water dripping from a brass compression joint on copper pipe· 20–30 min
Condensate pipe leaking insideFree
Drips from the white plastic pipe running from the boiler· 15–30 min
Copper pipe pinhole leak — causes and repair
Small hole in copper pipe causing a drip or spray of water· 1–4 hrs
Dripping compression fittingFree
Leak at a nut joint on copper pipe· 15–30 min
Fixing a leaking compression jointFree
Dripping from a brass olive-and-nut pipe fitting· 20–45 min
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
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
How to find a leak hidden under the floor
Detecting a concealed pipe leak without ripping up floorboards· 1–3 hrs
Leak under kitchen or bathroom sinkFree
Water found under the sink — could be the waste trap, supply pipes, or flexi hoses· 15–45 min
Leak under the kitchen sink — how to trace and fix itFree
Water dripping inside the kitchen sink cabinet· 30–60 min
Leaking push-fit pipe fittingFree
John Guest, Speedfit, or similar push-fit joint dripping· 15–30 min
Overflow pipe dripping outsideFree
Small pipe on outside wall dripping water — toilet cistern or cold water tank overflowing· 20–40 min
Overflow pipe dripping water outsideFree
Water dripping from a pipe on the outside of the house· 20–45 min
Push-fit fitting leaking — how to fix without solderingFree
John Guest, Speedfit, or Hep2O push-fit fitting dripping or spraying· 30–60 min
Radiator pinhole leak
Tiny leak seeping through radiator panel surface· 1–2 hrs
Radiator valve leaking — how to fix it
Water dripping from the valve at the bottom of the radiator· 30–60 min
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)
Stopcock or stop tap is leaking
Fixing a dripping or leaking stopcock or isolating valve· 20–60 min
Washing Machine LeakingFree
Water leaking from washing machine — from door, underneath, or from pipes behind it· 30–90 min
Water dripping from the boiler
Boiler casing has water coming from it· 2 min
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
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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