Emergency Plumber in Market Harborough: What to Do First
Short answerFor a burst pipe or leak in Market Harborough, turn off the water at your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink), switch off the electrics at the consumer unit if water is near them and it is safe, then message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you quickly whether our plumber can come. If the leak is in the street or you have no water, call Severn Trent on 0800 783 4444; if you smell gas, call 0800 111 999. Emergency call-outs typically cost around £100 to £120 plus labour.
Need an emergency plumber in Market Harborough? Before you ring anyone, stop the water. Most of the damage from a burst pipe or a leak through the ceiling happens in the first half hour, and turning off your stopcock is something you can do in seconds. This page covers what to do right now, who to call for which problem, what emergency plumbing typically costs, and how to reach the plumber we used on our own renovation.
If you smell gas, this is not a plumbing job. Call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
What to do right now
1. Turn off the water at the stopcock
Your internal stopcock (stop tap) is usually under the kitchen sink. If it isn't there, look in a downstairs cupboard, the garage, a cellar or where the water pipe comes into the house. Turn it clockwise until it stops. If you don't know where yours is, find it today, before you need it.
2. Keep water away from the electrics
If water is getting near wiring, light fittings or sockets, switch off at the main switch on the consumer unit, but only if you can reach it without standing in water. Don't touch wet electrical fittings. Our emergency electrician page has more on this.
3. Turn off the heating and drain the pipes
Switch off the boiler or central heating. Then open the cold taps to drain water out of the pipes, and flush the toilet. That reduces how much water can still escape.
4. Contain the water
Towels, buckets and bowls under the leak. If water is coming through a ceiling and it is bulging, keep people out from under it.
5. Take photos
Photograph the damage and the leak before it is repaired. You may need them for your home insurance.
Common plumbing emergencies
Burst pipe
Usually after a freeze, or a pipe knocked during building work. Follow the steps above, then get a plumber. Our full guide on what to do if a pipe bursts goes step by step.
Leak through the ceiling
Often a bathroom above: a failed seal, a leaking waste or a pipe joint. Turn off the water and electrics as above. If the leak stops when the stopcock is off, it is on the mains side; if it carries on, it may be coming from a tank or the heating system.
No water at all
Check with a neighbour first. If they have no water either, it is a supply problem and Severn Trent, which supplies Market Harborough's water, is the one to call on 0800 783 4444. The same number covers a leak in the street or on the public side of your supply. If only your house is affected, check that your stopcock is fully open, then call a plumber.
Blocked toilet or drain
Stop flushing to avoid an overflow. A blocked toilet inside your home is a job for a plumber or drainage company. If several houses are affected, or a shared sewer is backing up, contact the wastewater company; much of Market Harborough's wastewater is handled by Anglian Water.
Gas smell or boiler fault
Smell gas? Don't switch anything electrical on or off, open the windows, turn off the gas at the meter if you can, get out and call 0800 111 999. Any work on a gas boiler or gas pipes must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer; see plumber or gas engineer.
Getting our plumber
To be straight with you: we recommend one local plumber, and they are not a 24-hour emergency service. Message us on WhatsApp with what has happened, where you are and a photo if you can. We will pass it on straight away and tell you quickly whether they can come. If they can't get to you, we will say so, so you can call someone else instead of waiting.
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What an emergency plumber in Market Harborough typically costs
Emergency work costs more than a booked visit. These are typical 2026 UK ranges from cost guides, not quotes.
| Charge | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Emergency call-out fee (on top of labour) | £100 to £120 |
| Emergency plumber hourly rate | £75 to £150 an hour |
| Accessible burst pipe repair | £50 to £200 |
| Hidden leak or emergency leak repair | £300 to £750 |
Out-of-hours rates can be up to double the normal hourly rate. Ask before the plumber sets off: what is the call-out fee, is there a minimum charge, and is VAT included? For non-urgent work see our plumber hourly rate guide and leak repair cost guide.
Once it's fixed
Ask the plumber what caused it. Hard water is common in LE16 and limescale can affect valves and fittings over time; our guide on hard water in Market Harborough explains more. If a ceiling has been soaked, give it time to dry before anyone patches it; our plasterers page covers what comes next. For everything else, see our main page for plumbers in Market Harborough.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call-out fee | £100–£120 per job | Checkatrade 2026; out of hours, on top of labour. |
| Emergency plumber hourly rate | £75–£150 per hour | Checkatrade 2026. |
| Burst pipe repair (accessible pipe) | £50–£200 per job | Checkatrade 2026, plus VAT; typical about £150. |
| Hidden leak or emergency leak repair | £300–£750 per job | Upper figure indicative; excludes making good. |
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water at your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, by turning it clockwise. If water is near electrics, switch off at the consumer unit if you can do so without standing in water. Turn off the boiler, open the cold taps to drain the pipes, contain the water with towels and buckets, then call a plumber.
Who do I call if I have no water in Market Harborough?
Check whether your neighbours have water too. If they don't, it is a supply problem: Severn Trent supplies Market Harborough's water and can be reached on 0800 783 4444. The same applies to a leak in the street. If only your house has no water, check your stopcock is fully open, then call a plumber.
How much does an emergency plumber cost?
Checkatrade puts the average emergency call-out fee at around £100 to £120 in 2026, on top of labour, with emergency hourly rates of roughly £75 to £150. An accessible burst pipe repair is often £50 to £200, while hidden leaks can run to £300 or more. Ask about call-out fees, minimum charges and VAT before they come.
Should I call a plumber if I smell gas?
No. A gas smell is an emergency for the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999, which is free and open 24 hours. Open windows, avoid switching electrics on or off, turn off the gas at the meter if you can and get out. Any repair to gas pipes or appliances must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Is your plumber available 24 hours?
No. We recommend one local plumber, not a 24-hour service, and we would rather say so up front. Message us on WhatsApp and we will pass it on immediately and tell you quickly whether they can come. If they can't, we will tell you, so you can call someone else straight away.