Emergency plumbing in Bristol
A burst pipe, no water, or a leak you can't ignore doesn't wait for office hours. We're here 24/7 to stop the damage, fix the problem and get your home back to normal.
What happens when you call us
- We take your call and ask the urgent questions first
- An engineer heads to you straight away, 24/7
- They'll stop the leak, identify the cause and talk through your options
- Fix it the same day if it's a simple repair, or quote for a larger job
Five emergencies that need a plumber tonight
Some issues can wait until morning. These ones can cause real damage if you don't act fast.
Water spraying from a pipe
Turn the mains off at the stopcock straight away (usually under the kitchen sink or in the garden). Call us to find and fix the burst before it floods your home.
No water from any tap
If the cold tap won't run and your heating's off, the mains supply is cut. Check your stopcock is open; if it is, call us to trace the problem in the street or main pipes.
Water pouring from a ceiling or wall
Switch off the water at the mains, turn off heating if it's safe to do so, and call us immediately. Ignore it and you'll be looking at structural damage and mould.
Boiler leaking or no heating in winter
A leaking boiler or no heating when it's cold can be dangerous and leave you without hot water. We come out straight away and often fix it the same night.
Gas smell near pipes or the boiler
Don't ignore this. Turn off the gas at the meter, open windows, leave the house, and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. We can help once it's safe.
What we handle on an emergency call
Most emergency call-outs are about stopping the immediate damage. These are the jobs we turn around fast, often in a single visit.
Isolation and temporary repair
We can shut off just the affected section using isolation valves, so you keep water elsewhere in the house. A temporary patch buys time for a fuller repair.
Pipe replacement in the same run
If a copper or plastic pipe is split or cracked, we replace the damaged section the same night and pressure-test it to make sure it holds.
Valve and stopcock repair
A faulty isolation valve or a stuck stopcock can be replaced quickly so you have full control of the water supply again.
Boiler pressure top-up or restart
A boiler that's lost pressure can often be refilled and relit the same night. If there's a leak causing it, we identify that and plan a proper fix.
What our emergency visit covers
You pay the call-out and parts cost only. We don't charge extra for coming out at night or weekends — the price is the same 24/7.
- We answer within minutes and ask diagnostic questions
- An engineer is dispatched straight away to your address
- They turn off the water or gas as needed and make the area safe
- We locate the problem using visual inspection and simple testing
- Temporary repair or full fix depending on what's needed and what you choose
- All work tested and pressure-checked before we leave
- Invoice and receipt with details of what was done and what parts were used
- Advice on next steps if a permanent repair is needed during office hours
No callout charge: you only pay for the work and materials. If you ask for a quote on a bigger job and choose not to go ahead, there's still no fee.
Step by step from your call to the problem fixed
Speed matters in a plumbing emergency, but so does doing it right. Here's what happens once you ring.
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You call 01225 123456
Tell us what's happened and where the water or leak is. We'll ask if you've already shut the mains off and whether anyone is in danger.
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We dispatch an engineer
The nearest engineer is sent to you straight away. We text or call you with their name and ETA so you know help is on the way.
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First job: make it safe
When they arrive, they isolate the water or gas, turn off the heating if needed, and stop the leak. Safety first, questions second.
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Diagnose and discuss options
They'll explain what caused it and what can be fixed tonight and what's better done in daylight. You choose whether to go ahead or wait.
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Repair and test
The fix is done, pressure-tested and checked. You're shown how it works and given a full receipt.
What moves the cost of an emergency repair
There's no single price for an emergency call because no two are the same. Here's what we charge for.
The part that's failed
A copper pipe coupling costs far less than replacing a section of pipework or a whole valve. We'll tell you the price before we start.
Time to access it
A pipe under the kitchen sink is quick; one buried in a wall or under floorboards takes longer to find and fix.
How much pipework needs replacing
A single burst is a quick swap. If the pipe is old and showing multiple failures, we might suggest replacing a longer run to stop it happening again.
Whether it's a permanent or temporary fix
A clip and clamp to stop the leak tonight is cheaper than a full replacement, but a burst copper pipe will need proper fixing in the morning.
The time of call
Pricing is the same 24/7 — no premium for midnight or Bank Holiday calls. It's the same rate as during office hours.
Stop it happening again
Once we've fixed the immediate problem, a few practical steps can help prevent the same emergency coming back.
- Know where your stopcock is. Usually under the kitchen sink or in the garden. Test it now so you can shut it fast if needed.
- Insulate pipes in unheated spaces. Lofts, cellars and external walls are where pipes freeze first. Pipe insulation is cheap and prevents bursts in hard winters.
- Check for slow leaks regularly. Small drips under sinks or around radiators get bigger. Catch them early before they become emergencies.
- Have old pipework surveyed. If your home is over 30 years old and you've had a burst, the rest of the system is ageing too. We can check it and advise on replacement before the next failure.
- Run your heating gently in winter. Constant gentle warmth beats turning the heating off to save money — frozen pipes are far more expensive.
- Bleed air from radiators. Trapped air makes radiators cold and can hide leaks. Regular bleeding keeps the system working properly.
Emergency plumbing questions answered
Still unsure? Call 01225 123456 and we'll talk through what you're seeing and what we can do.
Is there a charge for calling out at night or weekends?
No. We charge the same rates 24/7, including nights, weekends and Bank Holidays. There's no premium for coming out at 2am or on Christmas Day.
What should I do before the engineer arrives?
Turn off the mains water at the stopcock if there's a burst or major leak. If you smell gas, leave the house and call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999. Turn off heating only if it's safe to do so. Open windows and let the area dry out a little if you can.
Will you fix it the same night or just stop the leak?
We assess what needs doing when we arrive. A simple burst pipe or valve replacement we can often fix fully the same night. If it's more involved — like pipework buried in a wall that needs proper access — we'll stop the leak with a temporary fix and arrange a permanent repair in daylight when we can do it properly.
Do you work on mains water pipes or just household pipes?
We fix household pipework, radiators, boilers, valves and internal water supplies. If the problem is in the street or the main supply pipe before your property boundary, that's a water company job. We can diagnose it and advise you whether to call them.
Can I get a quote over the phone?
Not for emergency work — the cost depends on what we find when we get there. We give you a price for the actual fix before we start, so no surprises. For non-urgent jobs, we can visit and quote in writing first.
What if the problem happens in the middle of winter and pipes keep freezing?
We can do a temporary fix to get you through, then help with proper prevention — pipe insulation, valve replacements, or even rerouting pipes away from vulnerable areas. Leave your heating on gently when it's very cold; it's the cheapest way to stop freezing.
Plumbing emergency? Call us now
Don't wait for business hours. Ring 01225 123456 and we'll have an engineer with you fast.
Tradesway