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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
your shower or tub will not turn off and water is running continuously

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Stop the water at the nearest safe shut-off point you can access: the bath or shower isolation valves first, then your inside stop tap if needed. Once the flow is stopped, or if you cannot stop it quickly, contact your landlord, building emergency contact, or an emergency plumber.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t leave it to run itself out; it may overflow and damage your home or a flat below.
  • Don’t use extreme force, tools, or long levers on a stuck valve or stop tap.
  • Don’t dismantle taps, diverters, or mixer controls while the water is still on.
  • Don’t use electrical items in the wet area or trail extension leads into the bathroom.
  • Don’t stand in hot spray or pooled water; step back and shut off from a safer place.

What to do now

  1. Contain the water for a safer pause.
    Put the shower head into the bath or tray if you can do it without being scalded. Close the shower screen or curtain, move loose mats out of the way, and keep children and pets out.

  2. Try the nearest isolation valves.
    Look for hot and cold isolation valves feeding the bath or shower. They may be behind an access panel, under the bath, in a nearby cupboard, or on visible pipework. Turn them clockwise to close. Some small isolation valves may have a screwdriver slot.

  3. If that does not stop it, use the inside stop tap.
    Look under the kitchen sink first. Other common places are an airing cupboard, under the stairs, a downstairs toilet, a utility room, a garage, a cellar, under floorboards near the front door, or near where the pipe enters the property. Turn clockwise slowly. Do not force it if it will not move.

  4. Expect a short delay.
    After the water is shut off, the shower or bath may keep running briefly while water already in the pipes drains. Open a cold tap briefly, preferably a low-level one, to help release pressure.

  5. If you are in a flat, escalate early.
    If you cannot find a stop tap for your flat, contact the concierge, building manager, landlord, letting agent, housing provider, or emergency repairs line. Say: “The shower or bath tap will not turn off and I need the water isolated urgently.”

  6. Reduce hot-water risk only if it is simple and safe.
    If the water is very hot and you know exactly how to turn your hot water controls off, do that after the immediate flow is contained or isolated. If you are unsure, skip this and tell the plumber or maintenance team the water was running hot.

  7. Report the repair clearly.
    If you rent, report it as an urgent repair: “Shower or bath will not turn off; water isolated at [isolation valve / inside stop tap / not yet isolated].” If you own the home, contact an emergency plumber.

  8. Keep clear of electrical hazards.
    If water has reached lights, sockets, switches, appliances, or the ceiling below, keep people out of that area. Do not touch electrical fittings while standing on a wet floor.

  9. Limit damage while help is coming.
    Use towels or buckets only where you can do so safely. If water may affect another flat, tell building management or the neighbour below as soon as the immediate water shut-off is underway.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to diagnose whether the fault is a cartridge, washer, diverter, mixer valve, or handle.
  • You don’t need to choose replacement fittings now.
  • You don’t need to get multiple quotes before the water is isolated.
  • You don’t need a perfect cleanup before the situation is stable.

Important reassurance

This is a common, fixable plumbing failure. Once the water is isolated, the immediate risk usually drops sharply and the repair can be handled by the right maintenance person or plumber.

Scope note

These are first steps only: stop the water, reduce flooding risk, reduce scald risk, and avoid electrical hazards. Later repair, access panels, seized valves, or replacement parts may need a plumber, building maintenance team, landlord, or housing provider.

Important note

This is general information, not professional plumbing, electrical, housing, or emergency advice. If you cannot safely stop the water, or water is affecting electrics, ceilings, communal areas, or another flat, treat it as urgent and get professional help.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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