The leak is not always inside your home.
A meter running when all taps are off, or a sudden bill increase, may also point the investigation towards a cellar, supply pipe or shared areas. We arrange the access needed with you and, if necessary, the building manager.
Do these signs look familiar?
- A water bill that doubles or triples without explanation
- The meter keeps running when everything is off
- An unusually green or waterlogged patch in the garden
- Water pressure has dropped throughout the house
- A continuous sound of running water in the walls
What could be causing the problem?
- A damaged underground pipe between the meter and the house
- A toilet cistern leaking continuously: easily missed and costly
- An accessible outdoor supply pipe, within the agreed scope
- A hot water cylinder discharging constantly
- A manifold fitting beneath the floor screed
The first check is at the water meter.
Turn off the taps and check that no appliance, irrigation system or toilet is using water. Note the meter reading and compare it after a period without water use. If it changes, there is still a flow of water to explain. Keep photographs of both readings: they will help during our first conversation.
First confirm the consumption, then narrow the search area
We compare meter readings with water use and accessible equipment: toilet cistern, hot water cylinder, irrigation or fittings. Checking valves and tracing supply pipes then helps define which sections need examining. In an apartment building, the useful observation point may be in a cellar or service shaft, rather than inside the flat.
A concealed pipe may require pressure and moisture readings, followed by a targeted opening. These checks must be interpreted together; a single reading does not automatically pinpoint the leak. The first checks when your meter keeps running.
After the investigation: repairs and checking meter readings
The report sets out the pipework checked, the defect found and any further checks needed. Repairs are quoted separately. Keep readings from before and after the visit, the report and the repair invoice to explain the situation to your water supplier.
Your practical questions
The leak is under my terrace. Does it all need to be lifted?
We first try to narrow the area using appropriate checks: meter monitoring, pressure and moisture readings, and thermal imaging where conditions allow. An opening may then be needed to confirm the finding or carry out repairs, depending on the results.
Is it necessarily the underground pipe?
No. A toilet cistern, automatic irrigation or equipment allowing water through can also explain the consumption. These possibilities are checked before looking underground.
Which documents should I keep for my water bill enquiry?
Keep meter readings, bills, the leak detection report and the repair invoice. Your water supplier will tell you which documents and deadlines apply to any request for a bill review.
How much does it cost to investigate a hard-to-see leak?
An accessible fixture and a concealed supply pipe spanning several areas require different investigations. Prices depend on how invasive and difficult the investigation is, with a scope defined before approval.