When it counts as an emergency
- Water dripping through a ceiling or light fitting
- A damp patch that grows quickly
- Your water meter spinning with every tap turned off
- Heating pressure that drops every day
- Water pooling outside near your supply pipe
Leak Detection & Repair: what the job involves
A hidden leak can drip for weeks before you spot it. Signs include damp patches, stained ceilings, warped floors and a musty smell. You might also notice a higher water bill, or heating pressure that keeps dropping. Because the damage keeps growing, it pays to find the leak early.
A local plumber starts by checking the obvious places, such as joints under sinks, behind the toilet and along the heating pipework. Next, they can test whether the pipes hold pressure, which shows if water is escaping somewhere. If the fault turns out to be inside the boiler itself, that is gas-appliance work, and only a registered gas engineer can do it.
The methods depend on your home and the kind of leak. They explain their plan first, so you know if they need to lift a floorboard or open a wall.
Once they find the leak, the plumber tells you how to repair it and what it will cost. For example, a plumber can often fix a weeping joint under a bath quickly. A leak buried in a concrete floor, by contrast, may need a new pipe run around it. If the leak sits outside your boundary, the plumber can tell you to report it to your water supplier instead.
What to do while you wait
- Turn off the stop tap if you can see water escaping
- Take a water meter reading, then check it again an hour later with no water in use
- Keep clear of damp areas near electrics
- Take photos of stains and damp patches
- Check your home insurance for escape of water or trace and access cover
How the request works
- 1
Send your request
Use the form with your postcode and a short note about the problem. Photos help if you can add them later. - 2
A local engineer contacts you
We pass your request to an engineer who covers your area. They call or email you to agree a time. - 3
Track down the leak
The plumber checks the likely spots and tests the pipes. They tell you before opening up any wall or floor. - 4
Explain the repair
You get a plain explanation of the cause and the fix. The repair then goes ahead once you agree the price.
Typical leak detection & repair costs
UK price guides put home leak detection at about £150 to £600 (Corded.uk and BestBuilders). The price depends on how hard the leak is to reach and how long it takes to find. The repair itself usually costs extra. These are typical ranges, so ask your plumber for a price before they start.
Leak Detection & Repair: frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have a hidden leak?
Look for damp patches, stained ceilings, warped floors or a musty smell. A water meter that keeps turning with every tap off is another clue. If your boiler keeps losing pressure, the heating pipes may be leaking — but if the fault turns out to be inside the boiler itself, that needs a registered gas engineer.
How much does leak detection cost?
UK price guides put home leak detection at about £150 to £600 (Corded.uk and BestBuilders). The price depends on how hard the leak is to reach. These are typical ranges, so ask your plumber for a price first.
Can leaks cause mould?
Yes. A slow leak keeps walls, floors and ceilings damp, and damp lets mould grow. As a result, it is worth finding a leak early, even when it seems small.
Is a leak outside my house the water company's job?
It depends where the leak is. Generally, the pipe from the boundary into your home is yours, while the pipe in the street belongs to the water company. If you see water coming up in the road, report it to your water supplier.
How do I request help?
Fill in the short form on any page with your postcode and a note about the problem. We pass your request to a local engineer, who contacts you to agree a time. Because we have no phone line, the form is the fastest way to reach us.
Can I send a request at night or at the weekend?
Yes, the form stays open 24/7, including bank holidays. Mark your request as urgent if water is still escaping. The engineer then knows to treat it as an emergency.
Further reading
If water is already pouring out, go straight to our burst pipe repair page. Our guide on what to do in a plumbing emergency explains how to limit the damage while you wait. It also covers when a leak is the water company's job rather than yours.
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