What is water leak detection and how much does it cost?

A 2023 report by Affinity Water (a water only supplier) found that 68% of UK homes have had a water leak, and this contributes to £697m being wasted annually on water bills. These are mind-boggling numbers which aren’t going to drastically change in 2025.

Finding and fixing a water leak is vital, because without doing it, damage caused by a prolonged water leak will not only be costly to repair, but the remediation work will also disrupt your everyday until it’s resolved.

In this leak detection blog article, we’ll guide you through what professional leak detection is, how it works and how much a leak detection service costs. So, you’ll have all the information you need to choose the right leak detection company for you.

What is professional water leak detection?

Simply put, professional water leak detection is the science of precisely pinpointing the root cause of a water leak within a building and its boundaries. No matter if it’s a suspected leak in a domestic property, a commercial site, or even an underground pipeline, the aim is always to locate the leak precisely. Doing so whilst minimising any disruption to the surrounding area.

Once the source of the leak is found, a leak detection profession will provide costs and details of how to fix it. Depending on the leak detection company that you choose, they will be able to temporarily or permanently fix the problem there and then. Usually, if the leak is temporarily fixed, you’ll need a plumber to attend the property and permanently fix the issue. However, this will depend on the severity and complexity of the leak.

How is a water leak detected?

By combining the latest techniques and technology, a water leak can be professionally detected with ease. There are multiple stages to accurately detecting a water leak. These include:

Assessing the site

A visual inspection of the domestic or commercial property is always undertaken. This involves looking for visible signs of water damage such as damp walls, mould and blistering plaster. The outside of a property will also be checked for things such as pooled water, or soft, muddy ground over pipework.

In addition to this, the water meter will be checked. If it is still moving after turning off all fixtures, then there is a leak in the system.

Detecting the water leak

Following the site assessment, the leak detection specialist will use a variety of equipment to confirm the location of the leak. This could include:

Thermal imaging camera

A thermal imaging camera is a common bit of kit in a professional leak detectors arsenal.  It is used to detect differences in temperature of surfaces. If there is a cold-water leak, a cooler area will be identified and if it’s a leak from a hot water pipe. A warm area will be seen via the display on the camera.

The great thing about using a thermal imaging camera is that it is non-invasive. This means it’s an ideal to use within buildings where a leak could be within a concealed area.

Moisture meters

In order to help to confirm a leak, moisture meters are a handy tool. A moisture meter measures levels of damp on surfaces such as walls and ceilings. It also helps to identify the extent of the water leak.

Acoustic leak detection

Used by many professional water leak detectors, acoustic leak detection uses sound to find a problematic water leaks. It’s one of the most effective ways to detect a leak within pressurised systems. Acoustic leak detection equipment uses sensitive microphones to pick up unique patterns of sounds from behind walls or underground. The leak detection technician will be trained to hear these particular sounds through headphones. Using this they will be able to pinpoint the exact location of the leak.

Tracer gas detection

This method is often used if there is a challenge to finding a water leak and the methods mentioned above haven’t found it. The tracer gas method works by filling pipework with a safe, non-hazardous gas mixture. Once the gas is injected into the system, traces of any leaking gas can be identified by using a sensitive gas detector over a surface. Because the gas is lighter than air, it will naturally rise through cracks in pipework. It’s a great non-invasive method that provides accurate results especially when assessing underground pipes.

Water leak detection report

Following successfully identifying the cause of the water leak, any reputable leak detection company will provide a comprehensive report detailing everything that was carried out. This will also include a comprehensive suite of images which highlight the severity of the leak too.

Along with a report, the leak detection specialist should walk through any recommendations and associated costs. It maybe the case that the leak can be fixed on the day, but this will depend on the severity of the leak.

In addition to fixing the leak, there may also be a need to clean and repair any damage caused by water ingress which is something that Ideal Response can also assist with.

How much does a professional leak detection service cost?

The cost of professional leak detection can vary because it depends on the complexity of successfully finding the leak. For example, the harder the leak is to reach, the more expensive it will be to detect and fix. It also depends on what equipment was used to find the leak. For example, using tracer gas will be more expensive than simply using a thermal imaging camera.

A ballpark figure for the cost of a leak detection service would be between £550 – £1,250. However, there is a key point to remember. Many popular buildings insurance policies include trace and access cover. This usually covers costs for:

• Finding the source of the water leak.
• Making the surrounding area accessible so the leak can be repaired.
• Any damage repair work caused by finding the leak.

It’s important that you review your insurance policy documents to ensure you are covered and to what level. If you are not covered, you will need to pay for the service in full.

Is professional leak detection worth it?

Leak detection is well worth the investment. Without hiring a professional water leak detection company, you run the risk of the continuous leak causing major damage to the property. Which, in the long run which could cost thousands, if not tens of thousands to repair.

By being on the front foot with addressing a leak within your property, you’ll have complete peace of mind that you will mitigate spending more in the future to repair the damage that water has caused.

What next?

If you suspect that you have a leak within your domestic or commercial property, contact one of the Ideal Response team who will happily answer any questions and advise on the best course of action to get the source of the leak identified and repaired quickly.