Find an emergency plumber near me

A burst pipe at midnight, a blocked toilet just before guests arrive, or the smell of gas in your home — plumbing emergencies are stressful and often urgent.

In these moments, knowing you can call on a checked 24-hour plumber in your area makes all the difference.

Checkatrade can help you find emergency plumbers near you, quickly and easily, ready to step in when you need them most.

How to find an emergency plumber near you

1. Search your postcode

Enter your postcode into the search tool to see the checked emergency plumbers operating in your area.

2. Compare options

View company profiles, check customer reviews, and select plumbers offering 24-hour call-out services in your area.

3. Get in touch

Contact your chosen plumber directly to discuss your emergency and get the work booked in without delay.

Find an emergency plumber near you with Checkatrade

Only tradespeople who pass our checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard appear in our listings.

That means you can feel more confident when searching for the help you need — especially important in a plumbing emergency!

To find checked tradespeople providing emergency plumbing services in your area, just enter your postcode and hit the button!

Find an emergency plumber in your area

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Download the Checkatrade app, for all the tradespeople you need at your fingertips.

Why might you need an emergency plumber?

Not every plumbing job can wait until morning. Common reasons to call a 24-hour plumber include:

• Burst pipes flooding your home

• Blocked sewage lines backing up indoors

• Gas leaks linked to plumbing systems

• Uncontrollable leaks from appliances or pipework

• Blocked or overflowing toilets you can’t use safely

In each of these cases, fast action prevents damage and keeps your home safe.

From installing a new tap and unblocking drains, to boiler maintenance and bathroom installations, take a look at our plumbing hub for help with all your plumbing needs.

What does an emergency plumber do?

An emergency plumber has the skills to deal with urgent, often disruptive issues. Their work can include:

• Stopping major leaks and isolating the problem

• Repairing or replacing burst pipework

• Unblocking drains, toilets, or sewage lines

• Checking and repairing gas-related plumbing issues (Gas Safe-registered only)

• Carrying out urgent boiler or heating repairs

They focus on making your home safe and functional again, with follow-up work arranged if needed.

How much does an emergency plumber charge?

Because emergency call-outs often happen outside normal hours, costs are higher than for planned plumbing work.

• Call-out fee: Average emergency call-out fee, around £110

• Hourly rate: Usually above standard plumbing rates, often around £100 per hour, depending on the time of day and nature of the job

For more details, see our guide to plumber call-out fees.

Need a job estimate to help with budgeting?

Try our AI powered job estimate calculator

Questions to ask before hiring an emergency plumber

Even during plumbing emergencies, it is worth asking a few key questions before arranging an emergency plumber call-out.

• How much is the call-out fee and hourly rate?

• Do you have public liability insurance?

• How soon can you get here?

• Will parts cost extra?

• Do you provide a guarantee for your repairs?

On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.

Why use Checkatrade to find an emergency plumber near you?

• Checked - Every Checkatrade tradesperson must pass up to 12 checks and commit to upholding the Checkatrade Standard

• Reviewed - Over 6.2 million reviews have been published on Checkatrade

• Guaranteed - We guarantee Checkatrade tradespeople's work, up to £1,000 - T&Cs apply

Request a quote, search in the Checkatrade app, or enter your postcode below to find an emergency plumber near you.

What should I do in a plumbing emergency?

Here are some quick tips for how to deal with some common plumbing emergencies, while you await the services of a 24-hour plumber:

• For a water leak, turn off the mains water supply to avoid further damage to your home

• For blocked drains, stop using the fixture, and if you have a backed-up toilet or sink, stop using it immediately — or you'll only make it worse

• If you can smell gas, immediately open all your windows and doors to let the gas out and fresh air in – and avoid lighting any naked flames and turn off the gas supply at the meter

For any gas-related issues, call an emergency plumber or Gas Emergency Services immediately.

Do plumbers deal with gas?

Many plumbers are qualified to deal with gas, just make sure you hire a Gas Safe-registered plumber. Check out our guide to hiring the right Gas Safe engineer near you.

FAQs about emergency plumbing services

What counts as a plumbing emergency?

Anything causing damage to your home, posing health risks, or leaving essential facilities unusable would typically be deemed a plumbing emergency. Examples include burst pipes, severe leaks, sewage backflow, gas leaks, or blocked toilets.

What should I do before the plumber arrives?

Before your emergency plumber arrives, turn off your mains water supply for leaks, stop using blocked fixtures, and ventilate your home if you smell gas. For gas leaks, also call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.

Do plumbers fix boilers?

Many plumbers repair boilers, but always check. For gas-related work, ensure they’re Gas Safe-registered.

How quickly will an emergency plumber arrive?

Response times vary. In some cases, a plumber may arrive within 30–60 minutes, though in busy times or severe weather, it could take longer.

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