Knowledge Base
Leak Detection Guides
Practical guidance for understanding leaks, investigation methods, insurance questions and simple diagnostic checks.
Written from a specialist leak detection perspective, these guides help homeowners and property professionals understand common symptoms, safe checks, investigation methods, insurance topics and when a professional survey may be appropriate.
Start Here
Not Sure Where To Start?
Use this page when you want to learn how leak detection works, what to check safely, what terms mean or what information to gather before asking for help.
Check Something Yourself
Learn which simple checks can be carried out safely before deciding whether the issue needs further investigation.
Understand Leak Detection
Understand how specialist leak detection investigations are approached and what engineers are looking for.
Insurance & Reports
Learn what trace and access, escape of water and evidence-led reporting mean in practical terms.
Before Booking
Find out what information is useful to gather before requesting advice or arranging a survey.
Commercial Guidance
Understand the considerations that apply to landlords, managing agents, facilities teams and commercial buildings.
Browse By Topic
Browse By Learning Objective
The Guides hub is organised around what you want to understand next. If you are trying to interpret a symptom, use the Problems hub; if you want to learn a process, term or method, start here.
Learn Safe First Checks
Practical guidance for checks that do not require opening up walls, floors or pipework.
Understand Water Use Clues
Learn what meter movement, unexplained use and supply-pipe symptoms may indicate before choosing a service route.
Understand Heating Pressure Loss
Learn what boiler and heating pressure changes may indicate before deciding whether a repair or leak investigation is needed.
Understand Insurance Language
Plain-English context for trace and access, escape of water claims and investigation reports.
Learn How Investigation Methods Differ
Understand why methods are selected based on the property, pipework, symptoms and likely leak location.
Prepare For Commercial Investigations
Guidance for the questions and evidence that matter in business premises, managed buildings and landlord portfolios.
Published Guides
Start With These Guides
These are recommended first reads for common questions where a practical explanation can help before you decide whether to gather more information or request advice.
Homeowner Guides
How To Perform A Water Meter Leak Test
A plain-English guide to checking whether a water meter is moving when taps, appliances and outlets should be off.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Read Your Water Meter
Learn how to record meter readings, recognise movement and understand what readings may indicate before further checks.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Find Your Internal Stop Tap
Learn where internal stop taps are commonly located, how to identify one safely and how it can support leak checks.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Turn Off Your Water Supply Safely
Learn how to isolate the water supply safely, which valves to avoid forcing and what the result may indicate.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Check If Your Boiler Is Losing Pressure
Learn how to record boiler pressure changes safely, interpret pressure-loss patterns and decide what to check next.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Check For A Leaking Toilet
Learn safe checks for a toilet that may be passing water and how to interpret meter movement or dye-test results.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Check If You Have A Hidden Water Leak
Learn safe checks for hidden water leak symptoms, how to interpret the evidence and when investigation may be needed.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Check For A Leak Under Your Floor
Learn safe checks for suspected leaks beneath flooring, how to interpret floor symptoms and when investigation may be needed.
Read guideHomeowner Guides
How To Check If Your Water Bill Indicates A Leak
Learn how to review a high water bill, compare usage and decide whether meter checks or leak detection may be needed.
Read guideUsing The Guides
How To Use Our Guides
The guides are intended to help you understand the situation calmly and avoid unnecessary disruption. They are not a substitute for professional diagnosis where symptoms continue or the source is concealed.
Identify Your Question
Start with what you want to understand, such as a safe check, an insurance term, a technology or what happens during an investigation.
Follow Safe Practical Guidance
Use only guidance that does not require opening floors, walls or pipework. Stop if anything feels unsafe, unclear or outside simple checks.
Understand The Results
Use the guide to understand what the result may indicate, what it cannot prove and which other explanations may still be possible.
Decide Whether Professional Investigation Is Appropriate
If symptoms continue or the source remains concealed, a specialist leak detection survey can provide clearer evidence before access decisions are made.
Common Questions
Guides Hub FAQs
These answers explain how to use the guides sensibly and when a professional investigation may be more appropriate.
Are these guides suitable for homeowners?
Yes. The guides are written for homeowners as well as landlords, managing agents and commercial property owners. They avoid unnecessary jargon and focus on safe, practical understanding.
Can these guides confirm whether I have a hidden leak?
No guide can confirm every hidden leak. They can help you understand symptoms and carry out simple checks, but concealed leaks often need specialist investigation to confirm the source.
Do I need specialist equipment?
The guides only suggest simple checks that can be carried out safely without specialist equipment. Professional leak detection methods require trained engineers and suitable equipment.
When should I stop investigating myself?
Stop if the source is concealed, the problem continues, water damage is spreading, electrical areas are involved or you would need to lift flooring, remove panels or expose pipework.
Which guide should I read first?
Start with the guide that matches the clearest question. If you are unsure what the meter is showing, begin with the water meter reading guide. If it is moving unexpectedly, use the water meter leak test guide next.
Next Step
Still Unsure After Reading?
If a guide answers part of the question but the cause remains unclear, send the property details, symptoms and any safe-check results. A specialist can recommend the next practical step without requiring you to choose a service name first.
Mains Water Leak Detection
Investigation for running meters, high water usage and suspected underground supply pipe leaks.
Water Leak Detection
Non-destructive investigation for concealed leaks inside homes and commercial buildings.
Trace & Access
Leak location support and reporting for escape of water insurance claims.
