Plumbing and drainage emergencies are stressful at the best of times, but they often strike at the worst possible moment — during a cold snap when your boiler fails, on a Sunday evening when a drain backs up, or in the middle of the night when a pipe bursts. Across Stoke-on-Trent and the wider Staffordshire area, our engineers attend emergencies every day. Here is what you should do to protect your property and your family while waiting for professional help.
Recognising a Genuine Emergency
Not every plumbing issue requires an emergency call-out, but these situations demand immediate action:
- Sewage backing up into your property through drains or toilets
- Water flooding from a burst pipe, failed fitting, or blocked drain
- Complete loss of heating or hot water when a vulnerable person is in the home
- A strong smell of gas near your boiler or gas appliances
- Multiple drains blocked at the same time, indicating a main sewer problem
- Visible water damage spreading across walls or ceilings
Immediate Steps for a Drainage Emergency
Stop All Water Usage
The moment you realise something is seriously wrong, stop putting water into the system. Do not flush toilets, run taps, or start the dishwasher or washing machine. Every litre of additional water worsens the flooding.
Protect Belongings and Surfaces
Move furniture, rugs, electronics, and valuables away from the affected area. Lay down old towels or plastic sheeting to contain the spread. Open windows for ventilation — sewage gases are unpleasant and can be harmful in enclosed spaces.
Locate and Close the Stopcock
If water is flowing uncontrollably, turn off the mains supply at the stopcock. In most Stoke-on-Trent houses, this is located under the kitchen sink or in the hallway near the front door. Turning the valve clockwise shuts it off. If you have not checked your stopcock recently, it is worth locating it now before an emergency arises.
Stay Away from Contaminated Water
Floodwater from a blocked drain may contain raw sewage. Keep children and pets well clear. If you must walk through the affected area, wear wellies and rubber gloves, and wash your hands and any exposed skin thoroughly afterwards.
Immediate Steps for a Boiler Emergency
If You Smell Gas
If there is a smell of gas near your boiler or any gas appliance, do not operate any electrical switches, do not light any flames, and do not use your phone inside the property. Open doors and windows, leave the building, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Once the gas supply is confirmed safe, Stoke Plumbers and Boilers can attend to diagnose and repair the boiler.
If the Boiler Has Lost Pressure or Is Leaking
A boiler losing pressure may simply need repressurising via the filling loop, but a visible leak from the boiler casing, pipework, or pressure relief valve requires professional attention. Turn the boiler off at the control panel and, if the leak is significant, close the isolation valves on the supply pipes. Place a bucket or towels under the leak to contain the water.
If You Have No Heating in Cold Weather
Staffordshire winters can be harsh, and a boiler failure when temperatures drop below freezing is a genuine concern — especially for elderly residents or families with young children. While waiting for our engineer, use portable electric heaters if available, close curtains and internal doors to retain warmth, and wrap up in extra layers and blankets. If you have a working fireplace or wood-burning stove, these can provide supplementary heat safely.
Document Everything
Once immediate risks are under control, photograph and video the damage for your insurance claim. Note the time the problem started and keep a record of any costs you incur, such as temporary accommodation or replacement items.
Calling Stoke Plumbers and Boilers for Emergency Help
When you contact us, we will ask for your address and postcode, a description of the problem, when it started, and whether it is affecting neighbouring properties. This information helps our dispatcher send the most suitably equipped engineer.
We attend emergency call-outs across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area, including Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Leek, and Crewe. Our emergency plumbing and drain service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a typical response time of 60 to 90 minutes.
Our vans carry CCTV cameras, high-pressure jetting equipment, boiler diagnostic tools, and a comprehensive range of spare parts so that most problems are resolved on the first visit.
Call 01782 390100 now for immediate assistance, or submit an urgent request online.