Leak detection without unnecessary demolition

Signs of a leak

• The water bill has risen without a change in consumption
• The water meter moves when every tap is closed
• A damp patch on a wall, ceiling or floor
• Mould or a musty smell in a particular corner
• The heating system's pressure keeps dropping

How we search for a leak

We start by checking the system's pressure and the water meter, then narrow down the area. We use listening and moisture-measuring equipment and, if needed, a camera, to pinpoint the leak as precisely as possible.

Once the leak is found, the fitter can usually also carry out the repair during the same visit.

Who leak detection is useful for

• Flat owners whose neighbour has a damp ceiling but nothing shows in their own flat
• House owners whose water bill has risen for no apparent reason
• Housing associations wanting to find a shared riser's leak before major damage occurs
• Owners of underfloor-heated houses where one circuit is losing pressure

What to do yourself before the fitter arrives

• Note the water meter reading and check whether it moves even with all taps closed
• Photograph the damp patch or ceiling so the fitter can see how the damage has developed
• Don't try to break open the wall yourself — it makes the later repair more expensive
• If the leak is severe, shut off the main stopcock and inform the management company or neighbours

Technique and methods

• System pressure and water meter check to narrow down the affected area
• Acoustic listening equipment to pinpoint a leak's location inside a pipe
• Moisture meter to check the moisture level of walls and floors
• Camera use if the leak is in a hard-to-reach spot

Apartment building vs. house leak detection

In an apartment building, a leak is often inside a shared riser and affects several flats, so we agree the course of action with the management company or association beforehand. In a house, the leak often has to be sought in an underfloor heating circuit or an underground run, where distance and the surrounding ground make the search more complex.