How to repair a leak

Step 1: Turn off the water

1. Put a bucket or bowl underneath to catch the water.
2. Turn off the water supply to that area by finding the valve on the supply pipe and turning it clockwise.
3. If you can't find the valve, turn off the water at the main stopcock.
4. If the leak is a big one, stop watching this video and call the experts out immediately!

If the leak is in the ceiling and water is dripping through, make a small hole with a screwdriver and catch the water in a bucket. This will help prevent water building up and causing further damage.

Step 2: Temporary fixes

For a quick fix, you can either apply a pipe clamp, putty or amalgamation tape to the leak.

Pipe clamps

For a quick fix the best thing to do is to apply a pipe clamp. If you don't have one of these you can improvise with a length of rubber cut from a hose pipe.

1. Make sure it is longer than the damage in the pipe, then slice lengthways and wrap it around.
2. Hold it in place with a hose clamp or a C-clamp and small blocks of wood. This should hold the leak until the professionals arrive.

Epoxy Putty

This is good for leaks at joints and fittings.

1. Clean the pipes with a cloth first to get rid of any dirt and dust.
2. Mix the putty as per the manufacturers instructions on the packet.
3. Press it around the leak making sure there is a good coverage.
4. The putty can take a couple of hours to a day to dry.

Amalgamation tape

This is a strong, water tight tape that can be easily wrapped around leaking pipes. Read the instructions on the packet carefully before applying.

Step 3: Permanent solution

These quick fixes will stop the water dripping for a short time, but the only way to prevent further damage is to replace the faulty pipes. Book in a good plumber and get the problem sorted for good.