Emergency repairs in Hyde, 24/7

Hyde’s mill terraces, the hillside streets of Gee Cross and the Hattersley estate all get round-the-clock help when a pipe bursts, a lock fails, the power drops, slates blow off or a window gets smashed.

Hyde is largely a 19th-century cotton town. At one stage around 40 mills worked here, and rows of brick terraces spread out along the River Tame and the Peak Forest Canal, which was finished in 1800. To the south, Gee Cross climbs the side of Werneth Low, a Pennine hill, with older stone cottages and terraces facing the weather. From the 1960s Manchester built the large overspill estate at Hattersley, mixing council houses and flats. Many Hyde terraces have slate roofs, chimney stacks and back yards with a gully draining into a shared pipe, and some still have a cellar. Homes on the estates have 1960s pipework and wiring that may have been updated only once. Houses higher up towards Werneth Low take more wind and driving rain than those down in the valley.

First steps in an emergency in Hyde

Plumbing in Hyde

Water pouring? Shut it off at the stopcock. Terraced houses in Hyde tend to have it beneath the kitchen sink or behind the front door, and a few older ones hide it in the cellar. On the Hattersley estate, try the cupboard under the sink first. Run the cold taps afterwards to empty the pipes.

Locksmith in Hyde

Walk round to the yard gate if your terrace has a back entry, because the rear door is sometimes still on the latch. A neighbour or relative may hold a spare. Never climb an outhouse roof to reach an upstairs window, and if the door looks forced, stay outside and phone the police.

Electrical in Hyde

Glance at the houses across the road. When they are dark as well, the cut is probably on the network, and 105 is the free number for reporting it and hearing when power should be back. If yours is the only dark house, open the consumer unit and check for a switch pointing down.

Roofing in Hyde

Up in Gee Cross and on the slopes of Werneth Low, gales hit roofs harder than down in the valley. Set out buckets under any drip, shift beds and sofas clear, and turn off the lighting circuit for that room if the leak is near a fitting. Leave the ladder alone until the weather calms.

Glazing and boarding up in Hyde

Put shoes on before going near the broken pane, and shut the door on that room so nobody wanders in barefoot. Sweep up only what has already fallen. A front door panel or large window that leaves the house open can be covered with timber board until a new glazed unit is ready.

Covering all of Hyde

Help reaches Hyde town centre around Market Street and Market Place, the terraces off Dukinfield Road, Union Street and Dowson Road, and the hillside homes along Joel Lane and Higham Lane. Gee Cross, Newton, Godley, Hattersley, Flowery Field, Werneth, Kingston and Mottram in Longdendale are covered too, all within SK14.

Including Market Street, Market Place, Stockport Road, Mottram Road, Dukinfield Road, Union Street, Lumn Road, Joel Lane, Werneth Low Road and Higham Lane.

Also Gee Cross, Newton, Godley, Hattersley, Flowery Field, Werneth, Kingston and Mottram in Longdendale.

Nearby: Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stockport.