Water leaks can be obvious, like a puddle forming under a cylinder, or hidden, like damp patches appearing on a wall or ceiling with no clear cause. Either way, the longer a leak runs the more damage it can cause, so tracing the source quickly matters.
We deal with leaks across Cheam, Sutton and nearby areas, from failed compression joints to slow leaks behind bathroom tiling. Some leaks are quick to find once you know where to look; others take a bit of investigation, especially where pipework runs under floors or inside walls.
If you have noticed a rising water bill, damp patches, mould, or the sound of running water when nothing is switched on, it is worth getting it looked at rather than hoping it settles down.
Signs of a hidden leak
- Damp or discoloured patches on walls, ceilings or floors
- An unexplained rise in your water bill
- The sound of trickling or running water when taps are off
- A water meter that keeps turning with everything off
- Musty smells or mould growth in one area
How we trace a leak
An engineer will start by checking the most likely and accessible sources, such as visible pipework, joints, appliance connections and the stopcock area, before considering less accessible routes like under floors or within stud walls.
Isolating sections of the system
Shutting off individual sections of pipework can help narrow down which part of the system is affected without disturbing the whole property.
Checking the water meter
With all taps and appliances off, a moving meter usually confirms there is an active leak somewhere on the supply.
What you can safely do first
If you can see or hear water, turning off the stopcock is the safest first step. Avoid lifting floorboards or removing tiling yourself, as this can make tracing harder and cause unnecessary damage.
Charging for leak detection and repair
Leak detection and repair work is charged by time at our standard hourly rate, with a one hour minimum and 30 minute increments after that. See /our-rates for current rates by time of day.
