No Water From Taps: Causes & First Checks
By The FixDelivered Team · Updated 2026-09-06 · 6 min read
Waking up to no water coming from your taps can be a truly disruptive and concerning experience. Whether it's just one tap, all taps, or only hot water, identifying the root cause quickly is key to resolving the issue. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons for a loss of water supply in a UK home and the essential first checks you can perform.
Immediate Checks When You Have No Water
Before calling a professional, run through these crucial checks. They can often help you identify the problem or provide valuable information to a plumber.
1. Is it just your property?
The simplest first step is to ask your neighbours if they are experiencing the same issue. If they also have no water, it strongly suggests a problem with the mains supply rather than your internal plumbing.
2. Check your water company's status
If your neighbours are also affected, or even if they aren't, check your local water supplier's website for service updates. They often post information about planned maintenance, burst mains pipes, or unexpected supply interruptions in your area. You can usually find their contact details on your water bill.
3. Locate and check your stopcock
Your internal stopcock (sometimes called a stop tap) controls the flow of water into your home. It's typically found under the kitchen sink, in a downstairs toilet, a utility room, or near the incoming mains pipe. Ensure it is fully open (turned anti-clockwise). If it's partially closed, it could restrict your water supply.
There's also an external stopcock, usually located in a small cover on the pavement or verge outside your property. Accessing and operating this can be tricky and sometimes requires a special key. If you suspect the external stopcock is the issue, or if it's damaged, it's best to contact your water company or a professional plumber.
4. Is it only one tap, or all taps?
- All taps have no water: This points towards a problem with your main water supply, either external (water company issue, frozen main pipe) or internal (main stopcock closed, pressure issue).
- Only one tap has no water: This suggests a localised issue, such as a faulty tap mechanism, an airlock in that specific pipe, or a blockage.
- Only cold water taps have no water: This indicates a mains supply problem or an issue with the cold water feed to your hot water system.
- Only hot water taps have no water: This points to a problem with your boiler, immersion heater, or hot water cylinder.
5. Hot water only? Check your boiler/cylinder
If you have cold water but no hot water, the problem lies with your heating system. For a combi boiler, check the display for any fault codes and try a simple reset (refer to your boiler's manual). Ensure the boiler's pressure is within the recommended range (typically 1-1.5 bar). For a hot water cylinder, check if the immersion heater is switched on or if your boiler is firing up to heat the water.
Important Safety Note: Never attempt to repair or inspect the internal components of a gas boiler yourself. This work must only be carried out by a Gas Safe registered plumber.
6. Suspect a frozen pipe?
During colder months, pipes in unheated areas (lofts, garages, outside walls) can freeze, blocking water flow. Look for visible frost or ice on exposed pipes. If you find a frozen section, you can try to thaw it gently using a hairdryer on a low setting or hot water bottles. Never use a blowtorch or boiling water directly, as this can cause the pipe to burst. Once thawed, check for leaks.
If you suspect a burst pipe due to freezing, turn off your main stopcock immediately and call an emergency plumber near you.
7. Airlock in the system?
An airlock occurs when a bubble of air gets trapped in your pipework, preventing water flow. This is more common in older plumbing systems or after pipework has been drained. You can sometimes clear an airlock by connecting the affected tap to a working tap (e.g., kitchen mixer tap) using a hosepipe and briefly running water backward through the system. Consult a specific guide for your tap type if attempting this.
Common Causes of No Water From Taps
Beyond your initial checks, here's a deeper look into why your water supply might have stopped.
- Mains Supply Interruption: The most common reason for a complete loss of water to all properties in an area. This could be due to planned maintenance, a burst main pipe in the street, or a local water company issue.
- Frozen Pipes: As mentioned, exposed pipes can freeze in cold weather, blocking water flow. This can affect individual pipes or your main incoming supply.
- Closed Stopcock: Your internal or external stopcock might be fully or partially closed, either accidentally or during previous work.
- Burst Pipe: A burst pipe, either internal or external, can lead to a significant loss of water pressure or a complete cut-off, often accompanied by visible leaks or damp patches.
- Boiler or Hot Water System Fault: If only your hot water is affected, a fault with your combi boiler, hot water cylinder, or immersion heater is the likely culprit. This could be a pressure drop, a component failure, or a power issue.
- Water Meter Issues: If you have a water meter, a fault with the meter itself or its associated stopcock could interrupt your supply.
- Shared Supply Issues: In some older properties, you might share a water supply with a neighbour. Issues on their side could potentially affect yours.
When to Call a Professional Plumber
While many initial checks can be done yourself, there are definite times when a professional plumber is essential. Don't hesitate to call if:
- You cannot locate or operate your main stopcock.
- You suspect a burst pipe and cannot isolate the water supply.
- You have a persistent frozen pipe that won't thaw or has burst.
- There are specific boiler fault codes you can't resolve, or you suspect a serious boiler issue (especially for gas boilers – always use a Gas Safe registered plumber).
- You've tried all the DIY checks, and there's still no water.
- You suspect a problem with your external stopcock or water meter.
Emergency plumbers typically charge a call-out fee, which can range from £80 to £150, plus labour and parts. These costs can vary significantly based on your location and the time of day (emergency call-outs are more expensive).
How FixDelivered Can Help
When you're faced with no water, time is often of the essence. FixDelivered connects you with qualified, local emergency plumbers quickly. You can tell us your emergency and we'll help you find a plumber who can diagnose and fix the problem efficiently. Our system ensures you know the plumber's call-out fee upfront, and our booking fee is refundable if no plumber is found, giving you peace of mind during a stressful situation. Learn more about how FixDelivered works.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no water coming out of my taps?
Common reasons include a mains supply issue (like a burst pipe in your street), your internal or external stopcock being closed, frozen pipes, a burst pipe on your property, a fault with your boiler (if only hot water is affected), or an airlock in your pipes.
What should I check first if I have no water?
First, ask your neighbours if they also have no water. Then, check your local water company's website for service updates. Next, locate and ensure your main internal stopcock is fully open. Finally, determine if it's all taps, just one, or only hot water.
How can I fix an airlock in my pipes?
An airlock can sometimes be cleared by connecting the affected tap to a working tap (e.g., a mixer tap) using a hosepipe and briefly running water backward through the system to dislodge the air bubble. Specific methods vary by tap type.
When should I call a plumber for no water?
You should call a professional plumber if you can't locate or operate your stopcock, suspect a burst pipe, have a persistent frozen pipe, experience boiler issues (especially gas boilers, requiring a Gas Safe engineer), or if all your DIY checks haven't resolved the problem.
Need a plumber now? Tell us your emergency and FixDelivered will find and confirm an available local plumber near you, usually within the hour.
Written by the FixDelivered Team. Reviewed by Rupert Lowe, Editor. Last updated 2026-09-06.