Same-day service available
Insurance claim support
Trace and access detection methods
Half-hour rates from £49.50 + VAT

Book online for £10 off

Book a trace and access plumber

or call for help, advice, or to book

Trace and Access Plumber Services For Hidden Leaks

Our most experienced plumbers are equipped and skilled at using non-invasive detection methods to find concealed and hard-to-find leaks.

The methodical process taken by our trace and access plumbers is required by most insurers when processing a claim. They will insist on booking a company that provides trace and access leak detection services because of the cost savings compared to an invasive investigation.

Our trace and access plumbers are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to react quickly to leaks at residential and commercial properties.

WATCH: How we find hidden plumbing leaks

This video shows some of the non-invasive methods a trace and access plumber uses to detect leaks.

In this example, our trace and access service was required to investigate a water leak with no visual signs. The owners had seen a significant increase in their water bill.

After checking the water meter and pressure testing internal pipework, the focus moved to leaking pipes buried externally.

Detecting Water Leaks Underground

Our trace and access plumber services

Shower leak detection by an Aspect tradesperson using a moisture meter

We can trace the source of every type of concealed leak in plumbing systems. A detailed report is provided to support an insurance claim.

Hot and cold water pipes
Central heating system
Water-fed underfloor heating
Mains drinking water supply
Wastewater and soil water drains
Concealed toilet cisterns
Storage tanks and supply pipes
Circulation pumps

Plumbing leaks

Our Gas Safe registered leak experts attend suspected plumbing leaks

Find out more

Central heating leaks

Leaks can be found in concealed parts of a system using tracer gas

Find out more

Bathroom leaks

Leaks are pinpointed using a range of techniques that don’t cause damage

Find out more

Shower leaks

Door and tray leaks can be detected quickly, as well as plumbing leaks

Find out more

Mains supply leaks

Leaks buried beneath soil or concrete are found without needing to dig

Find out more

Damp surveys

Investigation of excess moisture from condensation or penetrating damp

Find out more

Concrete slab leaks

Non-dig methods for detecting leaks beneath paving and concrete slabs

Find out more

Underground leaks

Leaks in pipework can be pinpointed beneath wood, tile, and concrete floors

Find out more

Trace and access customer reviews

Ricky, Aspect’s leak trace and access plumber couldn’t have been more professional or helpful. Gave great advice, worked swiftly and efficiently to find the hidden leak and kept me well informed before doing the repairs. Highly rated.

Jo, Ampthill, MK45
We wanted to find a leak in the bathroom and Neil was very thorough. He had all necessary trace and access equipment with him to find and fix. Tried the least invasive method first and then the next most obvious option. Found the leak we knew about and fixed it plus another we didn’t know about. Explained everything carefully - seemed to know what he was talking about and explained the options and cost implications. Good result.

Anna, Cambridge, CB21
We had a leak where our insurance allocated plumbers could not easily find the source. We were advised we needed to obtain trace and access services which we could invoice back, so we contacted Aspect. Their tradesman was extremely knowledgeable and was able to run through the process in finding the source to our leak. A few hours later and it was found. I wanted to shout about the fantastic service we have had. Thank you!!

John, Newmarket, CB8
Aspect came to my rescue when a "small leak" situation turned into a massive kitchen flood and a ceiling coming down! Both Geldon and Alban were calm under pressure, polite and efficient. They bent over backwards for me and worked late to get the job done. So impressed with Aspect - if you ever need a trace and access detection service I would highly recommend them.

Kirsty, Downham Market, PE38

Non-invasive detection methods

A moisture meter is used as part of a damp survey on a wall above wooden skirting board with mould growth on it. The meter reading is 100, indicating maximum saturation.

The equipment used by our trace and access plumbers to detect the source of a leak is mainly non-destructive. Insurers require the approach we take as part of their trace and access cover. Detection methods include:

Thermal imaging
Tracer gas
Acoustic surveys
Moisture meters
Borescope cameras
Salts analysis
Pressure tests
Tracer dyes

Frequently asked questions

What is track and trace in plumbing?

When referring to plumbing, the term “track and trace” is sometimes used by people instead of “trace and access”. The two terms refer to the same process of using non-invasive methods to “trace” the source of a concealed leak or water ingress from available evidence. The tracing process is used instead of exposing pipework with the vain hopes of quickly locating a leak.

Visual confirmation of a hidden leak requires access to it. This usually involved some localised damage to part of the building fabric, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling.

Insurance policies usually contain a “trace and access” clause rather than “track and trace”.

What is a trace and access report?

A detailed report supports our leak detection investigations. It includes an assessment, photos, and information on the equipment used to trace a leak, as well as the findings, interpretations, and details of how the leak is accessed for repair work. It also includes a cost estimate for reinstatement (restoring the area affected to its original condition).

A trace and access report is usually needed as detailed, professional evidence to support an “escape of water” insurance claim.

Are trace and access costs covered by home insurance?

Most home insurance policies contain a clause for “trace and access”. Sudden and accidental damage from plumbing and heating systems is usually covered. However, if a leak occurs due to a lack of maintenance, corrosion, or wear and tear, the repair cost is unlikely to be covered. Incorrect installation and damage resulting from negligence, such as a DIY accident, can also be reasons for a claim to be refused.

Insurance policies cover different aspects of a leak’s investigation, access, repair, and reinstatement phases. You are recommended to read your policy or contact your insurer for specific details. If your policy includes an “escape of water” clause, but not “trace and access”, the investigation costs to trace and access a hidden leak might not be covered.

Our comprehensive guide on making a “trace and access” claim provides more information.

Our leak detection rates

From £49.50 per half-hour
One hour minimum
£10 off when you book online
Fixed pricing for repairs

Check our rates

Aspect's customer support team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Contact us

Our team is available 24/7
Use our callback request form
Tell us what you need help with
We’ll call you back within 15 mins

Request a callback

No hidden extras

What you get from Aspect

Vetted trade experts
24-hour availability
Dedicated technical support
Aspect workmanship guarantee
Accreditation peace of mind

Occasional extra costs

Parts & materials used
Collection of parts & materials

We won’t charge you for

Cost of parking
Fuel or travel time
Congestion Charge
ULEZ charge

Areas we cover

Aspect trade services across the South East and the East of England

We provide trace and access plumber services across the whole of Greater London, the Southeast, the East of England, and parts of the Midlands.

We can quickly schedule a trace and access plumber in Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Greater London, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, West Sussex, and Wiltshire.

Use our postcode checker to see instantly if we cover your area. If you are outside our coverage area, we may still be able to assist you. Call or submit a callback request, and a member of our scheduling team will be in touch with you.

Submit your request

The trace and access process

Once a leak has been traced to a specific location using the non-invasive detection methods, it must be accessed. This provides visual confirmation of the source of the leak and allows for repairs to be made.

You should check the “trace and access” clause in your insurance policy to see if it covers the costs of repairs, as well as reinstatement work.

Reinstatement includes the necessary repairs to the access area and restores any water-damaged parts of the property to their original condition.

Our trace and access plumbers will provide a fixed price estimate for leak repairs and all reinstatement work.

Need more info before booking a trace and access plumber? We can give you a call. Request a callback

Trade-accredited plumbers

We have over 20 years of experience providing plumbing services to residential and commercial customers. We’re fully trade-accredited to deliver the services you need.

All of our trace and access plumbers are experienced professionals who have been vetted and assessed. For your peace of mind, their workmanship is backed by our 12-month guarantee.

Account customers

We have a dedicated team of account handlers to support multi-site customers and commercial properties. Our emergency plumbers attend: Restaurants, Bars, Offices, Retail, Landlords, Letting Agencies, Hotels, Schools, Embassies, Care Homes and more.

Commercial leak detection using tracer gas to find a leak in a hotel corridor

More about our account services

Recent knowledge sharing articles

“Help, my toilet is constantly running water”

Are you tired of listening to the incessant sound of your toilet constantly running water? It can add an extra £300 a year to your water bill. Our experts reveal the common causes to save water and money... Running toilet advice

Why is your boiler losing pressure?

Is your boiler losing pressure on a regular basis? We've created this comprehensive guide to explain how and why this happens, and what you can do to fix the problem. All info comes from our accredited heating engineers... Pressure problems

Detecting leaks in mains supply pipes

A higher than expected bill from your supply company is sometimes a good indication of a leak. However, there could be a number of other reasons too. This article covers reasons why your bills are getting higher than usual... Leaks in your mains