Leaks and burst pipes in Bournemouth
Not every leak announces itself with a puddle. Some of the most costly ones are slow drips inside a wall or under a floor that only show up as a damp patch, a higher water bill, or a musty smell weeks later.
A visible leak under a sink or around a joint is usually quick to trace and fix — often a worn washer, a loose compression fitting, or a cracked pipe. Hidden leaks take more work: a plumber will typically check for a moving water meter with everything turned off, then narrow down the location before any flooring or plasterboard needs to come up.
Burst pipes are most common in winter, when water left standing in an exposed or poorly insulated pipe freezes, expands, and splits the pipe wall. The burst itself often isn't visible until the ice thaws and water starts flowing through the crack, which is why damage can appear suddenly on a milder day after a cold spell.
If you catch a leak early, turning off the stopcock and isolating the affected section (if you know how) limits the damage until Tom arrives. If you're not sure where your stopcock is, that's worth finding out before you need it in a hurry.
When to call a plumber
- A damp patch, bubbling paint or watermark has appeared with no obvious cause
- Your water meter keeps moving with every tap and appliance off
- A pipe has visibly cracked or split, even if it isn't currently leaking
- Your water bill has jumped without a change in usage
Not quite what you need? See all services or call 01202 805003 to talk it through.
Get help with leaks and burst pipes
Fill in a few details and we'll pass them straight to Tom, or call us directly on 01202 805003.