Emergency Plumbing in Brighton and Hove
When a pipe bursts, a tap fails or a toilet overflows, the first few minutes are crucial. Acting quickly can prevent serious water damage — but only if you know where your stopcock is and how to shut off your water supply.
Many homeowners in Brighton only think about this during an emergency, and by then it’s often too late. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to turn off your water safely and what steps to take after you’ve isolated the problem.
Why Turning Off Your Water Matters
Water moves fast once something has gone wrong, and damage can escalate in minutes. Shutting off your main supply stops the flow immediately, protecting floors, electrics and belongings until a plumber arrives.
Knowing this simple step can save you time, money, and stress.
Step 1: Find Your Stopcock
Your stopcock (also called a main water shut-off valve) is normally located in one of these places:
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- Under the kitchen sink
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- In a downstairs cupboard or utility area
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- Near your front door, especially in older Brighton homes
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- In basements or cellars (common in period properties)
It’s a small tap or lever located on your main incoming water pipe.
Tip: If it’s stiff, don’t force it — you don’t want to risk damaging the valve.
Step 2: Turn the Valve Off
Most indoor stopcocks turn clockwise to shut off.
You should feel resistance as the water supply closes.
If you have an external stop valve outside your property (usually under a small metal or plastic cover), you can turn this off too — but it may require a key.
Once off, taps inside your home will run dry after a few seconds.
Step 3: Drain Your System (Optional but Helpful)
After shutting off the stopcock, open the cold taps in your kitchen and bathroom.
This drains any remaining water in the pipes and helps reduce pressure if you’re dealing with a leak or burst pipe.
Step 4: Identify the Source — but Stay Safe
If it’s safe to do so, try to locate the problem. Common emergency issues include:
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- Burst or leaking copper/plastic pipes
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- Faulty flexi hoses
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- Overflowing toilets
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- Flooding from appliances
Avoid touching electrics or going near ceiling leaks — call a professional immediately if anything looks unsafe.
Step 5: Call a Local Brighton Plumber
Once the water is off, the situation is under control — but it’s important to get the issue fixed properly.
A professional plumber can:
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- Repair the damaged pipe or fitting
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- Check for hidden leaks
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- Restore water safely
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- Prevent the problem from returning
Even minor leaks can worsen quickly without proper repair.
When Should You Call Us Straight Away?
Get help immediately if any of the following apply:
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- Water is coming through ceilings or walls
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- You can’t find or turn your stopcock
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- Your hot water cylinder is leaking
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- A toilet or drain is overflowing
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- You suspect electrical danger
We respond quickly across Brighton & Hove and can guide you over the phone while we’re on our way.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to turn off your water can prevent a small issue from becoming a disaster. Take a moment today to locate your stopcock — it’s one of the simplest yet most important bits of home plumbing knowledge you can have.
And if you ever face an emergency, we’re here to help fast.
Need Emergency Plumbing Help in Brighton?
If you’ve shut your water off and need urgent support, our Brighton plumbers can be with you quickly.
Call us now for fast, reliable emergency response.