Burst pipe? What to do before the plumber arrives

A burst pipe can put hundreds of litres of water through a house in an hour. What you do in the first ten minutes decides whether you are drying a floor or replacing a ceiling.

1. Shut off the water at the main

Find the main stopcock and close it. In most Polokwane homes it is near the water meter at the front boundary, or where the supply line enters the house. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you do not know where yours is, find it today, before you need it.

2. Switch off the geyser

Turn the geyser off at the distribution board. A geyser that keeps heating with no water coming in can damage the element.

3. Keep water away from electrics

If water is near plug points, lights or the DB board, switch off the power to that area. Do not walk through standing water near live electrics.

4. Open the taps to drain the lines

Open the cold taps in the house to drain what is left in the pipes. This takes pressure off the damaged section and reduces the leak.

5. Take photos, then call

Photograph the damage for your insurance before you start cleaning up. Then phone or WhatsApp us with your address and a photo of the pipe.