Leak Detection in Crawley, Horsham and Surrey

How we find a hidden leak, step by step

1. Initial assessment. We talk through what you have noticed, look at the visible signs and check your water meter to confirm there is a leak.
2. Leak detection. Acoustic equipment listens for escaping water and thermal imaging picks up the temperature change a leak leaves behind, so we trace the source without opening up walls or floors on a guess.
3. Confirming the location. We pinpoint the leak, explain what we have found and show you the evidence.
4. A quote for the repair. You get a clear price before any repair work starts, with the options where there is a choice.
5. The repair. With your approval, we fix the leak.
6. Testing and making good. We test the repair, restore the water supply and deal with the access point. We keep any opening as small as possible, and we can make good ourselves or recommend a decorator.

Most detection visits take one to two hours, depending on the size of the property and how complicated the leak is. Simple repairs can often be done on the same visit. Bigger repairs may need a return visit.

Types of leak we trace and repair

• Hidden pipe leaks behind walls, under floors and in ceilings
• Heating leaks from the boiler, radiators or pipework, which often show up as the boiler losing pressure
• Toilet leaks, from a cistern that runs constantly into the pan or a failed seal at the base
• Dripping taps, which waste more water than most people think
• Underground leaks on outside pipework or the mains supply pipe into the property

More warning signs of a hidden leak

On top of damp patches and a rising water bill, watch for:

• Mould growing where there was none before
• The sound of running water when every tap is off
• Water pressure dropping throughout the house
• Wooden floors warping or tiles lifting

Why a small leak is worth finding now

• Water. A dripping tap can waste around 15 litres a day. A small hidden leak can lose 200 litres or more a day, and if you are on a meter you pay for all of it.
• Damage. Water damage to walls, floors and ceilings costs far more to put right than the leak itself. Long-term damp can weaken timber and plaster and lead to extensive repair work.
• Health. Persistent damp brings mould and mildew, which can trigger allergies, asthma and other breathing problems, particularly in children.

Quick leak checks you can do yourself

• Look under sinks for drips or water marks
• Check walls and ceilings for damp patches
• Look around the base of each toilet for water on the floor
• Check radiators, valves and exposed pipes for drips
• Walk the garden for pooling water or ground that stays soft, which can point to a leak on the supply pipe

If you find nothing but still suspect a leak, that is when detection equipment earns its keep. A visual check will not find a leak inside a wall or under a floor. For a dripping tap or a running toilet you have already found, see plumbing repairs.