Leaks and plumbing
If you have a water leak in your home, try to stop or contain it before it causes any damage. Turn off your water supply at the stop cock, which is usually located under your kitchen sink. Don’t touch any electrical equipment that may have been exposed to water. Turn off your electrical supply at the mains, if it’s safe to do so. If you live in a block of flats and you think that a leak from your home may be dripping into another property beneath you, please try to let your neighbour know about the problem as soon as possible to help minimise any damage.
Please keep drains clear by making sure you don’t put anything down them that may cause a blockage. If we need to come and clear a blockage, you’ll also be charged. Please work with us to avoid this problem and a recharge.
Other help:
South East Water interactive fault map
| REPAIR | PRIORITY | RESPONSIBILITY | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gutters and down pipes (broken or blocked) | Routine repair | Us | |
| Main drains |
Routine repair Emergency — make safe |
Us | Keep drains clear by making sure you don’t put anything down them that may cause a blockage. If we need to come and clear a blockage, you may be charged. |
| Main drains |
Specialist and/or extensive works |
Us | Keep drains clear by making sure you don’t put anything down them that may cause a blockage. We may need a specialist to assess with a camera, and further work may be needed. If we find the blockage has been caused by items such as nappies, sanitary products, oils or wet wipes you may be recharged. |
| Blocked/overfill septic tanks (individual homes only) |
Routine repair Emergency — make safe |
Us | |
| Pipes inside your home |
Emergency – make safe Routine repair |
Us |
Turn water off at the stopcock where possible. If your electrics are exposed to water turn the electric supply off at the mains if safe to do so. Let neighbours know if a leak is likely to affect them too. |
| Dripping or leaking taps | Routine repair | Us | Dripping taps are always containable. Consider collecting the water in a jug and reusing it. |
| Blocked wash hand basin, sink, shower or bath | You | You should try to clear the blockage yourself. If we need to come and clear a blockage, you may be recharged. | |
| Blocked/overfill of cesspits (individual homes only) |
Routine repair Emergency – make safe |
Us | |
| Loss of mains water supply |
Emergency |
Us | Please check with your water supplier if there is a fault or burst water main in your area. |
| Loss of mains water supply |
Major repair/replacement |
Us | Please check with your water supplier if there is a fault or burst water main in your area. |