As experienced water leak detection experts, we are happy to share our knowledge and skills, so in this article we are going to go through 5 water leak detection tips that can help you if you suspect you have a water leak in your home or business…
We will run through these step by step, in simple terms to help explain why they can be important.
Before we start, remember that water leaks can vary a lot from property to property and will especially vary based on the design and layout of both your property as well as the for the plumbing too. Which we cover in tip number 2 actually!
Water Leak Detection Tip 1 – Is it Actually a Leak?
This is something that is often overlooked because when people see damp in their home or business in the UK, understandably they thing ‘I must have a water leak’ but it may not be that.
Things that could look like water leaks (but are not) include:
- Issues with rising damp or penetrating damp
- An accident or liquid spillage in the area
- An issue with condensation linked to damp
- A non-plumbing related leak (e.g. roof leaking when raining)
There are of course other things but these are some of the common ones. There are methods for determining if you have a water leak that we use, this includes (amongst other things) salts test analysis and the careful monitoring water meter readings.
Water Leak Detection Tip 2 – What Type of Leak is it?
Once we have determined that that there is indeed a water leak at a home or business, we look at the next of our water leak detection tips – narrowing down the type of water leak that there is in the home.
Clearly there can be a wide number of possible causes, including:
- Central heating boiler leaks
- Ceiling water leaks
- General plumbing leaks
- Water leaks outside houses
- Water leaks inside houses
- Water leaks under floorboards
- Bathroom leaks
Again, the list goes on. Plus remember, you could have two of these in combination with each other, for example – a bathroom leaking into a ceiling below. Each of these have their own challenges in locating them.
Water Leak Detection Tip 3 – Best Method to Locate it?
The next of our water leak detection tips is about what methods are best to locate the leak, both generally but also pinpointing it exactly. This is where a professional water leak detection service like ourselves has a number of methods that can be utilised.
Some of the various water leak detectors we use (often in combination!):
- Thermal imaging leak detection
- Acoustic water leak detection
- Tracer gas leak detection
- Pipe detector devices
- Moisture meter leak detection
As we have explained previously in other guides, these technologies to help locate water leaks can be highly effective in the right hands, they also work with each other often and each has it’s strengths and weaknesses which you need to be aware of.
We use advanced, professional devices to help locate water leaks in domestic properties, and for commercial leak detection to find leaks in businesses too.
Water Leak Detection Tip 4 – How Best to Access the Leak?
The next of our water leak detection tips follows nicely on from the previous tip, and is all about how to best access a water leak once you have located it. Wherever possible we utilise non-invasive methods to pinpoint water leaks, but eventually it can be necessary to access a leak.
As you might expect, once you get to this stage, it is important to make sure you are doing it safely and in the right location! You don’t want to knock a wall or ceiling down in a slapdash way, possibly causing damage to other things only to find out you are in the incorrect location!
To that end, our team are experienced in understanding property construction in the UK and, accordingly, know what methods and tools to do that. This might (at a preliminary stage) include the use of supplementary tools, such as borescope cameras giving secondary evidence.
Water Leak Detection Tip 5 – Evaluating the Water Damage
The final of our water leak detection tips is about understanding the water damage caused by the leak, which can be considerable. This is especially the case with longstanding water leaks.
Our team also have experience with Water Damage Restoration which can be a beneficial addition to our service. Not only can we help with understanding and monitoring the damage caused but can assist with the drying out process, and reinstatement services to help with property repairs directly or indirectly linked to the water leak.
On this topic, please see our water leak calculator which estimates the amount of water loss comparing a slow drip, to a spray, all the way to a full flow of water leaking.
Water Leak Detection Tips – Conclusion
We hope you found some of these water leak detection tips useful. As you will have seen, there are a lot of things to consider, some of which can be complex to understand and deliver. But not to worry, our team of experts are on hand to assist through this and will happily share their experience and advice.
Not only will they know the water leak detection tips covered in this article, but may other more bespoke things that can really help enhance our service excellence to customers. Not only do they know the water leak detection tips, our leak detection experts know how to deliver them.
Finally, here is another useful of our water leak detection tips to go with this…
Please do remember that, if you have Trace and Access on your home insurance policy, the cost of finding and fixing the water leak could be paid for by your insurer. It’s worth understanding that as it could help a lot in this situation.
Here are some other similar articles you might find interesting too:
- Early Water Leak Detection
- Best Leak Detection Systems
- Combi Boiler Leaking
- Water Leak From Upstairs Flat
- Shower Leaks Through Ceiling
Water Leak Detection Tips – FAQs:
How can you tell where a water leak is coming from?
Water leak detection experts like ourselves utilise a number of water leak detection devices to help maximise the chances of pinpointing a water leak in your home or business. These professional detectors, in the hands of our water leak detection experts can be very powerful in helping to locate water leaks of varying types, in different locations in your home.
What is the most common water leak in the house?
Depending on the type of house and plumbing you have, there can be a number of common causes of water leaks. However, in general in the UK some of the most common water leaks include – shower leaks, bathroom leaks, washing machine leaks, dishwasher leaks, central heating leaks and other general plumbing leaks.