Cold & Hot Water Pipe Leak Detection
Professional detection of hidden leaks in domestic and commercial water pipes
A leak in your cold or hot water pipework can be difficult to detect and even harder to fix if you don’t know exactly where it is. These pipes often run under concrete, through walls, and beneath floors, which means a small split or failed joint can leak for weeks without any visible sign.
At Track-a-Leak, we provide professional leak detection services that pinpoint the exact location of pipework leaks, without invasive work.
Why Water Pipe Leaks Are So Hard to Spot
Cold and hot water pipes run throughout your home, under concrete, inside walls, through ceilings, and behind bathrooms and kitchens. When a pipe leaks, the water doesn’t always appear where the fault is. It can travel through flooring, soak into insulation, or drip behind surfaces for days or weeks before it becomes visible.
And because hot water pipes are often under pressure and heat, even a pinhole crack can push moisture into the building fabric at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, cold water leaks can run 24/7, steadily increasing your water bill while causing hidden water damage under tiles or laminate flooring.
You can’t always see or hear a leak — but you’ll definitely feel the cost if it’s left unchecked.
Signs You May Have a Pipe Leak
Hot and cold water pipe leaks don’t always show up as puddles or bursts. You should book a leak inspection if you notice:
- Constant hissing, dripping, or vibrating sounds in walls or floors
- Localised damp or warm patches in flooring
- Warping or lifting of wood, laminate, or vinyl flooring
- Mould, mildew, or musty smells in cupboards or under sinks
- A loss of water pressure or intermittent hot water supply
- Boiler pressure dropping regularly
- An unexplained increase in your water bill
Leaks in copper or plastic pipework can be especially hard to find behind kitchens, bathrooms, or under suspended floors, but we’ll trace them to the source.
How Our Leak Detection Works
We use a tailored combination of non-invasive techniques to find your leak without damaging your property.
Depending on the situation, this may include:
- Acoustic listening – detects the sound of water escaping under pressure
- Thermal imaging – ideal for tracking hot water leaks through walls or floors
- Tracer gas testing – a safe gas is introduced to the pipework and detected through solid surfaces
- Moisture mapping – shows the spread of water into surrounding materials
- Pressure testing – confirms system integrity before and after repairs
Every inspection is carried out by a fully trained technician with experience in domestic and commercial pipe systems.
Once the leak is located, we provide you with a detailed report, including photographs, thermal images (if used), technician notes, and clear next steps for repair. Reports are suitable for insurance claims and contractors alike.
What Types of Pipes Do We Investigate?
We detect leaks in all common internal water pipework, including cold mains water, domestic hot water feeds, central heating pipes, and buried pipe runs within screed or boxed-in spaces. Whether the pipe is copper, plastic, or part of a pressurised system, our team is trained to trace the fault back to its exact source.
We’re often called to investigate issues in newly renovated bathrooms, kitchens with hidden plumbing, older heating systems with degraded joints, or homes with persistent damp patches no one else can explain.
Insurance & Trace and Access Reporting
Most UK home insurance policies include Trace and Access cover. This allows you to claim for the cost of finding and exposing a leak, even if the repair itself isn’t covered.
We prepare our reports to insurer standards. They include the confirmed source and cause of the leak, methods used to detect it, supporting evidence, and technician commentary on damage caused. We’re also happy to speak with insurers or contractors if you need help pushing a claim forward.
Emergency Pipe Leak Response
If you have water visibly escaping or spreading rapidly, turn off your mains water supply immediately. Then call us.
We offer emergency cold and hot pipe leak detection for urgent cases, helping you locate the fault quickly and prevent further property damage. We’ll arrive with the tools needed to identify the issue and help you take fast action.
Call 01204 828 769 for professional leak detection
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.