Burst pipe repair in Exeter
Professional burst pipe repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Burst pipe repairs done fast to stop water damage. I stop the leak, repair or replace the damaged section properly, and get your water back on as quickly as possible.
When Every Minute Counts
A burst pipe is spraying water into your house - floors, ceilings, walls all soaking it up. The faster it's stopped and fixed properly, the less damage you'll have and the smaller your insurance claim.
💡 Pro tip: Know where your stopcock is BEFORE you need it. Usually under the kitchen sink or where the water supply enters the house. Turn it clockwise to shut off. Everyone in the house should know this.
Emergency Repair vs Bodge Job
When water's pouring out, there's massive pressure to just make it stop:
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Bodged |
|---|---|
| Leak stopped, proper repair made | Tape wrapped around, hope for the best |
| Pipe replaced if corroded | Patch over worn pipe (bursts again soon) |
| System tested before leaving | Water back on, fingers crossed |
| Cause identified and explained | No idea why it burst |
| Insurance documentation provided | Scribbled receipt, no details |
What You Get
🔧 The Emergency Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Stop water | Isolate supply, stop the leak |
| Assess damage | Find burst, check pipe condition |
| Repair/replace | Fix properly, not temporary patch |
| Test | Full pressure test before water back on |
| Clean up | Mop up, contain damage where possible |
📦 You're Left With
- Leak stopped permanently
- Pipe repaired or replaced properly
- Water supply back on and working
- Detailed invoice for insurance
- Advice on preventing recurrence
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple accessible burst, quick repair | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Burst requiring pipe replacement | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Complex location or extensive damage | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Parts and materials extra. Provided for insurance claims.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Active burst - water spraying out right now
✅ After freeze - thawed pipe now leaking
✅ Ceiling drip - burst pipe in loft or upstairs
✅ Corroded pipe - old pipe finally given up
Why Choose Us for Burst pipe repair in Exeter?
Water stopped fast to minimize damage
Proper repair, not temporary patch
Works with your insurance if needed
Advice on preventing future bursts
What to Expect
Step 1: Stop The Water
First priority - get the water stopped. I'll find your stopcock and shut it off, or isolate the problem section if possible. Stops more water damaging your house.
Step 2: Find & Assess
Locate exactly where the burst is and check the pipe condition. Freeze burst in good pipe just needs that section replacing. Corroded pipe probably needs a longer section replacing to prevent another burst soon.
Step 3: Repair Or Replace
Cut out the damaged section and either repair with compression fittings or replace with new pipe. I use proper fittings, not push-fit bodges on emergency repairs. Has to last.
🔧 DIY Tips
Burst pipe repair is emergency DIY - sometimes you have no choice:
🔧 Emergency tools to have
- Pipe repair clamp or tape (temporary fix)
- Adjustable spanners
- Pipe cutter or hacksaw
- Compression fittings (keep spares for your pipe size)
- PTFE tape
- Bucket and towels
💧 Emergency procedure
- Turn off water - stopcock under sink, turn clockwise
- Turn off heating - stops hot water circulating
- Open taps - drain remaining water from system
- Contain water - buckets, towels, move valuables
- Temporary fix - pipe clamp or repair tape if you have it
- Call plumber - for proper repair
⚠️ Common panic mistakes
- Not turning water off (keeps flooding while you're looking for tools)
- Trying complex repairs while water's on (wet misery)
- Temporary fix and forget about it (will fail, usually at night)
- Not calling insurer (could invalidate claim if you delay)
💡 Pro trick: If you can't find the stopcock, knock on a neighbor's door - they'll know where theirs is, and in terraces/semis, yours is usually in the same place.
Prevention beats cure - lag pipes in lofts and unheated spaces. Costs about £20 and 30 minutes. Much better than dealing with a burst pipe at 2am.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
❄️ Freeze prevention - pipes in lofts, garages, and outside walls are vulnerable. Lag them before winter. If you go away in cold weather, leave heating on low (12-15°C minimum) or drain the system.
Insurance excess - check your excess before claiming. If the repair costs £150 and your excess is £250, you're paying anyway. But log it with your insurer anyway for records.
Ceiling damage - water coming through a ceiling usually means burst pipe above. Don't just patch the ceiling - the pipe needs fixing or it'll happen again.
Old lead or iron pipes - common in Exeter's older houses. They corrode from the inside and burst without warning. If you've got them, consider replacing proactively before they burst.
Testing heating after a burst - if hot water pipe burst, bleed radiators after repair. Air gets in the system when it drains, needs bleeding out or heating won't work properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a pipe bursts?
Turn off your water at the stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink), turn off your heating, and call a plumber. Open taps to drain remaining water. Move stuff away from the leak if you can. The faster you stop the water, the less damage you'll have.
Can you fix burst pipes the same day?
Usually yes - it's an emergency job so I prioritize it. I'll stop the leak first (temporary if needed), then either repair or replace the damaged section properly. Most burst pipe jobs are sorted in a few hours including cleanup.
Will my insurance cover burst pipe repairs?
Most home insurance policies cover burst pipes and the resulting damage. I can provide detailed invoices and photos for your claim. Call your insurer to check your excess and what's covered.
What causes pipes to burst?
Freezing is the main culprit - water expands when it freezes and splits the pipe. Corrosion in old pipes, excessive water pressure, or physical damage can also cause bursts. I'll tell you what caused yours so you can prevent it happening again.
Do you replace the whole pipe or just the damaged bit?
Depends on the pipe condition. If it's a one-off freeze burst in otherwise good pipe, I'll just repair that section. If the pipe's old and corroded, I'll replace the whole run to save you having another burst in 6 months.
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