Service
Leak detection for hidden water leaks
Finding where water is escaping when the source is not visible, using a methodical process of checks rather than guesswork, and opening up only what is needed to reach the fault.
What leak detection means in practice
Leak detection is the process of working out where water is escaping before anyone starts cutting into floors or walls. A hidden leak rarely shows itself at the point where the pipe has failed: water tracks along joists, down pipe runs and through the smallest gaps, so the damp patch you can see may be some distance from the fault.
The aim is to narrow the search to the smallest possible area, confirm the cause, and only then open up. Done properly, that means far less disruption to your home and a repair that deals with the real problem rather than the nearest stain. For the repair work that follows, see our plumbing service.
Signs of a hidden leak
The most common signs are a water meter that keeps moving when every tap and appliance is off, a stain that grows slowly on a ceiling or wall, a musty smell that never quite goes away, flooring that lifts or darkens near a bathroom or kitchen, and the sound of running water when nothing is on. On a metered supply, an unexplained rise in the bill is often the first clue.
A simple check you can do yourself: turn everything off, take a meter reading, wait an hour without using any water, then read it again. If the numbers have moved, water is going somewhere it should not. That test tells you there is a leak, though not where it is.
How we trace a leak
We work through a logical sequence rather than opening surfaces at random. That starts with your observations: when the signs appear, whether they follow rain, baths or appliance use, and how long the problem has been there. We then isolate sections of the plumbing where possible, check the obvious suspects such as traps, valves, connectors and sealant lines, and test whether the leak is on the supply side or the waste side, because each behaves differently.
Only when the search has been narrowed do we open up, and we agree that with you first. Lifting a section of floor or cutting an inspection hole in a ceiling is done where the evidence points, not on a hunch. If the water is already showing on a ceiling, our page on burst and leaking pipes covers what to do first.
Where hidden leaks usually sit
Under baths and shower trays, where waste joints and seals fail out of sight. Behind tiled walls, where a valve or connector weeps slowly into the wall cavity. Under floors, where a supply pipe joint or a central heating pipe has failed. Around toilets, where a connector lets waste water escape on every flush. And at the back of kitchen units, where appliance hoses and traps are rarely looked at.
Each of these leaves a different pattern of damage, and recognising the pattern is a large part of finding the cause quickly.
After the leak is found
Once the source is confirmed we explain what has failed and what the repair involves before doing it. Where water has damaged the surrounding structure, the same team can dry out, reboard, plaster and decorate the affected area: our ceiling and leak damage repairs page describes that side of the work.
Quotes are free and in writing, and the repair carries our 1-year workmanship warranty. To arrange a visit, call 01268 206409 or send photographs of the damage through the quote form.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a leak detection test cost?
It depends on how hidden the leak is. A fault behind an accessible bath panel is a short visit; a leak under a solid floor takes longer to narrow down. We quote for the investigation before starting, so you know the cost before any opening up.
Can you find a leak without pulling up my floors?
In most cases we narrow the search to a small area first using isolation tests and inspection, so only a limited section needs opening. We agree any opening up with you before it happens.
How do I know if the leak is mine or the water company's?
As a rule, the pipework inside your property and the supply pipe on your land are your responsibility, while the mains in the street are the water company's. A meter test with everything off helps show whether water is being lost on your side.
Should I turn the water off if I suspect a hidden leak?
If water is visibly escaping or a ceiling is staining, turn off the stopcock until the cause is found. For a slow, contained leak you can usually leave the supply on, but book an investigation soon rather than letting it run.
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