Yes we can! However, we may need to carry out minor excavation works to expose it before we repair it.
To avoid further problems arising, the area must be dried once the leak has been repaired. Moisture generally traps itself within surface’s even if you can’t physically see it. If the property has not been dried after a leak, mould and further damage will appear in the décor of your building. This will also cause health implications when mould is taken in via the lungs, which can seriously cause issues to your health.
There are several ways of testing this one of which is to turn off the stop cock for the water feed running into your property. Check to see if the meter gauge is still running then this is a clear indication here is a suspected leak on your side of the property. The stop cock is either located underneath your kitchen ink or alternatively under your stair cupboard. Another form is to look out for sudden damp patches appearing in certain sections of your property.
There are 2 types of stop cocks in your property, there’s a Mains, which comes in via the feed of the street which generally is accessible via the water providers also another inside your private property which caps off the water from the mains street feed to the internal side of your property which is generally located under your staircase or kitchen sink.
There are several ways of testing this. One of which is to turn off the stop cock for the water feed running into your property. Check to see if the meter gauge is still running, this will give you a clear indication of whether or not there is a suspected leak on your side of the property. The stop cock is either located underneath your kitchen sink or under your stair cupboard. Another form is to look out for sudden damp patches appearing in certain parts of your property for example, along your walls or skirting boards.
Unfortunately with some leaks, you can’t prevent all damage, however, we can take certain steps to reduce the amount of damage that will be caused by the leak. The first step in minimizing damage is to turn off your water supply to the house. Try to turn your boiler off, this will stop damage if the boiler pipework runs dry. If possible, start to dry any standing water, you could use a mop if there isn’t a lot of water or maybe some towels.
Research has shown that a typical household loses 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year due to leaks. As a result, no water leak should ever be overlooked, irrespective of its size. Even a seemingly small leak can lose approximately 20 litres of water every hour!
This may be a sign of a leak, possibly that’s been ongoing a while. Please see our answer to “how do I know I’ve got a leak?” above to get a quick idea of how to diagnose a leak. It is also likely that you will require drying to the property to prevent further mould growth. We can carry out moisture surveys to advise you on the condition of your home and suggest the best resolution for you.
Your property should not show any signs of damp. It may be as simple as a spillage but could be something more complicated. However, if you are still in any doubt, please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our operatives who will talk you through some simple tests.
As a company, we have dealt with a variety of different commercial properties, each with different requirements. We know that each property will have different requirements and different ways they want to work to and we can adapt to that to suit you. Please call us free.
We are generally called out to schools, playgrounds, car parks, fields and generally use specialist methods to detect leeks one of the main see signs is a pooling area on a dry day or a moist spot which is always an indication of a leak.
My ground heating system is losing pressure
It’s a shame but due to the number of pipes buried in concrete it’s always one of the main causes of a leak in a property and extremely difcult to locate due to the swirl of pipes sometimes but if there’s a leak we are sure to find it.
Check the floor above for signs of damp. If there is a property above you we would recommend you speak to the occupant above to see if they are also suffering signs of a leak. If there is a roof above, please see our answer to “Water stains have appeared in my property after heavy rainfall. What do I do? “.
If there is a bathroom or shower above the area this could also be the source of the leak. You could investigate using a simple water test with a showerhead around your bath and shower seals.
This could be a sign of a leak on the central heating system or a problem with the boiler
The ground source heating systems are a very efficient and environmentally friendly way of collecting heat but when they go wrong, they go terribly wrong. Unfortunately, because of the amount of piping buried under the floor they can become very susceptible to leaks, which can be extremely difficult to locate within the floor surface. We have helped various customers locate leaks in these systems with enormous success. We like a completed leak so I guess we’ll keep looking until we find it.
All modern homes are required to be fitted with an inside and outside mains water stopcock, so don’t worry if you can’t find yours under the kitchen sink! Many properties have their mains water stopcock positioned in an airing cupboard, under the bathroom sink, in a utility cupboard, under your floorboards by your front door, within a garage, cellar or behind a panel next to your boiler. Apartment buildings often share a mains water stopcock so if you are having trouble finding yours why not ask your neighbours?
If one of your radiators is not heating up or is cold, it could just need bleeding. However, if bleeding the radiator does not work or if it is linked with any other symptoms outlined in this FAQ, it could be a sign of a leak.
This could be an indication of a leak on a regular/gravity fed heating system or a leak from a water storage tank. If you can access your storage tanks, look to see which is filling as this will give you an indication of which the system is suffering the problem.
Clear away any furniture that may be positioned directly in front or underneath the water stains. Perform a visual check of your guttering to ensure there are no blockages. This can easily be caused by leaves and other organic material. Check to make sure that there are no drains outside the property that are overflowing. If the leak stops when it stops raining the issue is likely to reappear during the next heavy rainfall so leak detection may still be required. The property may also require drying as the majority of moisture is not visible and is retained within the structure of the building.
There are many different signs that a leak may be present and they are not all visible. These can include damp patches, high water bills, damp smells, boiler issues and even subsidence.
Please read further on for more information on how to recognise leaks and what to do. Alternatively, you can contact us and one of our advisors will assist you.
Please don’t hesitate to contact one of our knowledgeable customer service representatives.
This is a service we offer. It includes all the aspects of Trace and Access but also includes fixing the leak which will often only take a day to complete. Trace and access is an Insurance term for non-destructively tracing the area of the leak and then exposing the leak i.e. excavating concrete or removing floorboards.
The chances are you may be covered for this under your home or buildings insurance policy but you will have to check your policy wording handbook to see if you’re covered.
Leak Detection is the finding of hidden leaks. Unlike others, we complete leak detection in a non-destructive manner, minimising disruption to your commercial or residential premises.
Non-destructive Leak Detection is where we use various pieces of equipment to pinpoint the area without damaging your property.
Your plumber will carry out basic methods of tracing a leak whereas a leak detection expert will use specialist machinery and technology to pinpoint a leak without having to tear your premises apart.
Trace and Access (or “Track and Trace”) is an Insurance term for non-destructively tracing the area of the leak and then exposing the leak i.e. excavating concrete or removing floorboards. If you are covered for this it will be detailed in your policy handbook. However, your insurance company is unlikely to cover the actual fixing of the leak.
Often your insurer will ask you to find your own leak detection company and they will then reimburse you once the leak is found. Please check your policy handbook to see if you are covered.