What to do if…
water is leaking in around a window or door during a storm

What to do now

1. Move people and pets away from the wet area. Use a drier room if possible, and close internal doors to slow the spread of water.

2. Make the electrics safer before handling the leak.

   • If water is near sockets, extension leads, chargers, appliances, or the consumer unit, keep away from them.
   • Switch off electricity at the consumer unit only if you can reach it without stepping in water and the consumer unit area is dry.
   • Do not touch the consumer unit if it looks wet or damaged, or if there is buzzing, sparking, smoke, heat, or a burning smell.
   • In England, Wales or Scotland, call 105 if there is a power cut, electrical network emergency, or damage to outside electrical equipment.
   • In Northern Ireland, contact NIE Networks for power cuts or hazardous outside electrical equipment.
   • If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

3. Catch and divert the water from inside.

   • Put bowls, buckets, or trays where water is dripping or running.
   • Lay towels in a U shape to slow the spread across the floor.
   • If water is tracking around the edge of a window or door frame, press towels or cloths into the wet corner to slow it.
   • Tape a plastic bag or plastic sheet on the inside of the frame only if you can do it from a dry, safe position and away from sockets. Angle it so water runs into a container.

4. Move the highest-risk items first.

   • Move electronics, chargers, extension leads, power strips, and anything plugged in away from the water.
   • Move medicines, keys, important documents, and essential bags next.
   • Put items on a table, worktop, bed, or upstairs only if the route is dry and safe.

5. Stop fabric from pulling water further in.

   • Lift curtains, blinds, cushions, rugs, and trailing cables away from the wet sill, threshold, and floor.
   • If a carpet edge is soaking up water, press towels along the wet edge rather than rubbing or spreading the water.

6. Treat outside water as not clean.

   • Avoid splashing it into your eyes or mouth.
   • Wash hands after handling wet towels, buckets, or items.
   • Bag very wet, contaminated, or dirty soft items separately if they are safe to move.

7. Take simple evidence only when it is safe.

   • Take a few photos or a short video of the leak, the wet area, and any damaged items.
   • Do not delay moving away from electrics or a possible structural hazard to take photos.

8. Tell the right person once the immediate area is safer.

   • If you rent, contact your landlord, letting agent, housing association, or building manager.
   • If water is entering from a shared hallway, balcony, roof, external wall, or another flat, tell the building manager or freeholder if you have their emergency contact route.
   • If you own the home, check your insurer’s emergency contact route before authorising non-urgent repairs.

9. Escalate if the situation is becoming unsafe.

   • If water is rising quickly, spreading into several rooms, affecting electrics, or you are told to evacuate, follow emergency services and local council advice.
   • If there is immediate danger to life, electrical arcing, fire, suspected collapse, or someone is trapped, call 999.