Leak Detection & Burst Pipe Repair
Most domestic leaks come from failed compression joints, corroded copper, pinholes in old pipework, or seals around baths, showers and waste traps. Finding the source matters more than the repair: we trace the leak first, then repair the section that actually failed rather than patching the damp patch you can see.
A damp patch is rarely above the leak. Water tracks along joists and pipe runs and appears where it finds a gap, which is why a leak chased by guesswork usually means a second visit and a second hole in the ceiling.
We work back from the evidence — pressure behaviour, meter readings, moisture patterns and access points — so the pipework is opened up in the right place first time.
What's included
- Non-destructive tracing before anything is cut open
- Pressure testing of hot, cold and heating circuits
- Repair or replacement of the failed section of pipework
- Re-testing under pressure before we leave
- A written description of the cause for your insurer where one is needed
Signs you have a hidden leak
- Water meter still turning with every tap and appliance off
- Unexplained rise in your water bill
- Warm or damp patch on a floor above a heating pipe run
- Boiler or system pressure dropping repeatedly
- Musty smell, blistering paint or a stained ceiling
- Sound of running water when nothing is in use
How the job runs
- 1
Isolate
Confirm whether the leak is on the incoming main, hot, cold or heating circuit.
- 2
Trace
Narrow the run down using pressure tests and moisture readings.
- 3
Access
Open up the smallest area needed to reach the failed joint or pipe.
- 4
Repair
Replace the failed section in copper or plastic to suit the run.
- 5
Prove
Re-pressurise and re-test so you know it is genuinely fixed.
What it costs
Leak tracing is charged as a call-out that includes the first hour on site — £99 standard hours (8am–6pm), £129 evenings (6pm–10pm) and Saturdays, £169 nights (10pm–8am), £149 Sundays and £199 bank holidays — with any further time at £95 per hour. The repair itself can normally be quoted once the cause is known.
How our pricing worksLeaks & burst pipes across our coverage area
This service is available in every area we cover. Choose your area for local detail and the things worth knowing about the housing and water supply there.
Leaks & burst pipes: common questions
Related services
24 Hour Emergency Plumbing
Round-the-clock call-outs for burst pipes, uncontrolled leaks, loss of water and unusable toilets.
Taps, Toilets, Showers & Basins
The everyday jobs: dripping taps, running toilets, leaking traps, new basins and shower valves.
Boiler & Central Heating Plumbing
Heating system plumbing: pressure loss, cold radiators, leaking valves, pumps and controls.
Need leaks & burst pipes? Talk to us now.
Calls answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Tell us your postcode and what you can see, and we'll give you a realistic arrival window before you commit to anything.
Phone: 020 8798 2063