Central Heating Leak Detection

Losing pressure? Seeing damp patches? You could have a hidden leak in your heating system.

If your heating keeps cutting out, the boiler pressure won’t hold, or certain rooms stay cold, chances are, there’s a hidden leak in your system. It’s rarely the boiler itself. More often, water is escaping from a pipe, valve, or joint somewhere you can’t see. At Track-a-Leak, we specialise in central heating leak detection for homes, businesses, and rented properties.

Underfloor Heating Leak Detection

Leaks in wet underfloor heating systems are among the hardest to trace. The pipework is often buried in screed or under tiles, making traditional fault finding expensive and disruptive. We use thermal imaging and tracer gas detection to track water loss through heat patterns and pressure changes, without lifting your floor unless absolutely necessary.

Whether it’s a failed pipe loop, a leaking manifold, or damage caused during renovation work, we’ll find it and help you plan the next steps without delays or costly guesswork.

Our Leak Detection Process

We carry out a full, non-invasive investigation using:

Common Signs of a Heating System Leak

You may not see water, but if you’ve noticed any of the following, it’s time to act:

Repeated boiler pressure loss
Air in radiators despite frequent bleeding
Mould or damp near skirting boards
Cold patches in rooms or on the floor
Cracked tiles (from moisture underneath)
Sudden drop in heating efficiency

A leak left unchecked can ruin flooring, rot timber joists, and destroy your central heating system from within.

Is It Safe to Keep Refilling the Boiler?

No — and it’s one of the most common mistakes homeowners make.

Every time you top up a sealed system with fresh water, you introduce oxygen. This accelerates corrosion inside radiators and pipes, leading to sludge build-up, reduced heat output, and long-term damage to your boiler.

If you’re refilling regularly, it’s almost always due to a leak. The longer you leave it, the more damage it does.

For Landlords, Lettings Agents, and Property Managers

Leaks in rental properties can quickly escalate. Heating complaints, water damage, or health risks from mould can lead to deposit disputes or even tenant compensation claims.

We work with landlords, managing agents, and housing associations to provide fast, discreet leak detection in tenanted homes. We can liaise directly with tenants, provide access-friendly time slots, and deliver reports that meet housing compliance standards.

Insurance & Trace and Access Cover

If your home insurance includes Trace and Access, it will usually cover the cost of leak detection. We provide detailed, insurer-ready reports that include all the technical evidence needed to validate your claim.

We’ll also explain what your policy includes and help you understand which parts of the repair may be covered separately — such as fixing the pipe or restoring damaged flooring.

We Detect — You Choose How to Repair

Track-A-Leak specialises in professional leak detection and trace & access. Where appropriate, minor remedial repairs may be completed at the time of attendance.

For larger or specialist repair works, we provide clear recommendations and can refer you to trusted contractors.

Call 01204 828 769 for professional leak detection

Book Your Central Heating Leak Detection

Don’t risk long-term damage or expensive boiler repairs. If you suspect a leak in your heating system, we’ll find it fast and help you take the right next step.

Call Track-a-Leak today or complete our quick enquiry form to book your professional leak detection service. We cover homes, rentals, and commercial properties across the region.

What Happens During Your Survey

Every leak detection visit follows the same structured process, so you know exactly what to expect and what you’ll walk away with.

1. Arrival and walkthrough.

Your named technician arrives in a branded vehicle at the agreed time. We walk through the property with you, noting every area of concern such as damp patches, pressure drops or visible damage, so nothing is missed.

2. Non-invasive testing.

We deploy the right combination of tools for your situation, including thermal imaging to map moisture behind walls, acoustic listening to trace pressurised leaks, tracer gas injection for underfloor pipework, and moisture meters to measure the extent of saturation.

3. Source identification.

We isolate the leak to its precise origin point and confirm the cause — whether it’s a failed joint, a corroded section, a cracked fitting, or external water ingress. We photograph the evidence and explain our findings on-site so you’re never left guessing.

4. On-site debrief.

Pipes inside walls and under floors can crack or shift due to building movement, temperature changes, or old age. Because these leaks are entirely out of sight, they tend to do the most damage before they’re found. A small split in a pipe behind plasterboard might release water 24/7, soaking timbers and insulation without any outward sign until serious damage appears .

5. Written report delivered

Within 48 hours you receive a detailed PDF report by email. This is the document you forward to your insurer, your plumber, or your landlord. It contains everything listed below.

Your report includes

Confirmed leak location with annotated photographs
Identified cause (e.g. failed solder joint, cracked compression fitting, degraded pipe section)
Thermal images and moisture readings showing the affected area
A clear written summary of findings
Recommended next steps for repair
Technician name, qualifications, and date of inspection
Insurer-ready format accepted by all major UK home insurance providers

FAQ's

Our most frequently asked questions.

How do I know if my central heating system has a leak?

A common sign is your boiler pressure constantly dropping. You might also notice cold spots on radiators, damp patches on floors, or the need to repeatedly top up your heating system.

Where do central heating leaks usually occur?

Leaks can develop in radiators, pipe connections, boiler components, or heating pipes hidden under floors or inside walls. These leaks are often difficult to locate without specialist equipment.

Can you detect a heating leak under the floor?

Yes. Leak detection specialists use tools such as thermal imaging, acoustic sensors, and tracer gas to locate hidden heating pipe leaks without lifting large areas of flooring.

Will my floors need to be lifted to find the leak?

In most cases, no. Modern leak detection methods are designed to pinpoint the leak location first, helping avoid unnecessary disruption to floors, walls, or pipework.

What happens after you locate the heating leak?

Once the source is identified, you’ll receive a detailed report explaining the location and cause of the leak, along with guidance on the best repair options. The company provides independent advice so you can choose how to proceed.