Trace and Access Leak Detection | Half Hour Rates

Our leak detection specialists use a range of water leak detection methods to find the source of a leak. The specialist equipment doesn’t cause damage to your property. Most insurance companies insist on using these non invasive methods when they’re processing a claim. “Trace & access” cover is part of most home insurance policies.

There isn’t one piece of water leak locating equipment that can be used to find any type of leak. Tracing water leaks usually involves a range of methods. The results from each trace and access test allow the investigation to be focused, while ruling out possible sources. Trace and access leak detection requires specialist knowledge and experience.

Trace and Access Leak detection techniques

Thermal imaging

A thermal imaging camera shows surface temperatures without needing access or to insert probes into the structure of a property. Cool areas detected in building fabric can indicate the accumulation of moisture. Readings can help direct attention where it’s needed quickly. It’s probably the most used piece of equipment for trace and access leak detection.

It clearly shows the flow of hot water through pipes even when they’re concealed. It’s commonly used to find central heating leaks. Our experts also use them as part of flood tests to help pinpoint where water is entering a property, or where baths or showers aren’t correctly sealed. High-res images from the camera are included in reports.

Borescope cameras

These flexible cameras allow our experts to look inside tight or closed spaces, such as a boiler cupboard or behind a washing machine with restricted access. They can be easily inserted into ceiling voids via light fittings. Small holes might need to be drilled in walls to investigate cavity space. However, they can be filled without difficulty afterwards to avoid damage to your home.

Providing our experts with visual evidence, they’re a useful and less damaging option to a fully invasive visual inspection. Images from the camera are saved and included as part of the survey report.

Plumbing and rain water leak detection in London

Tracer gas

A non-harmful, odourless gas is released under pressure into drained pipes. A highly sensitive detection probe is used to locate where the gas is escaping from. The gas is lighter than air and rises quickly. It can penetrate all types of floor covering, including hardwood, laminate, tiles, carpet and vinyl. It can even penetrate concrete.

As well as being a reliable piece of water pipe leak detection equipment, tracer gas can also be used to find leaks in sections of flat roof. The gas can be released into ceiling voids. The probe is able to trace where it’s escaping through the roof covering.

Tracer gas is frequently utilised to find leaks in heating systems. However, it can’t always be used on water-fed underfloor systems.

Dye / flow tests

Fluorescent dyes are a method for visually tracing water leaks. They’re visible to the eye, but by using a UV lamp they can be seen in very low concentrations. This means they can highlight the position of a leak before droplets of water begin to form.

The water soluble dyes are added to pipes before water is released in them. Different dyes are available depending on the pipework being tested. For example, a specialist food dye that’s non-toxic is used when testing water supply pipes. Other dyes are available for wastewater and soil pipes or heating system pipes.

Our trace and access rates

From £55.00 per half-hour
One hour minimum
10% off when you book online
Fixed pricing for planned work

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No hidden extras

What you get from Aspect

Experienced & vetted tradespeople
24 hour availability for all trades
Dedicated technical support team
Aspect Guarantee on workmanship
Peace of mind from trade accreditation

Occasional extra costs

Parts and materials used
Collection of parts and materials

We won’t charge you for

Cost of parking
Fuel or travel time
Congestion Charge
ULEZ charge

Leak detection techniques - ground acoustic / microphone

Ground microphone

A buried leak, sometimes referred to as a slab leak, can be located to within a few centimetres by using sensitive acoustic equipment. It’s a very reliable piece of equipment for trace and access.

A highly sensitive microphone is placed on the ground. Tiny vibrations, created as water escapes under pressure from the pipe, are amplified as sound. As the microphone is placed in different positions, the changes in sounds detected allows the location of the leak to be pinpointed.

The technology works on small or large leaks in pipework made from any type of material. It’s so sensitive that tiny leaks buried beneath concrete floors can be pinpointed.

Flood testing

This test attempts to replicate the movement of water through a point of ingress to where it becomes visible inside a property as water damage. Water is released where it would normally be expected to drain away. A moisture meter and thermal image camera are used to help track whether or not water is penetrating building fabric rather than draining away. Small areas are tested systematically to help pinpoint the problem area.

Flood tests can be conducted using either hot or cold water. They are useful for helping to detect ineffective seals around baths and showers and well as glass roofs. Faults in brickwork and masonry can also be detected with this trace and access method.

Moisture meter

The moisture meters we use are extremely sensitive monitoring devices. They allow our experts to accurately assess moisture levels in building material to a depth of 15mm.

Readings are taken by inserting two probes into the building material (this leaves two small holes where each reading is taken). Results establish the amount of excess moisture that’s present. Multiple readings can show how moisture is spreading through walls or ceilings.

The equipment doesn’t show where the water is coming from, so it can’t be used as a water leak finder. It’s main use is to build a more detailed picture of the problem before the tests to trace a leak begin.

Pressure testing

Detecting a drop in pressure on a closed plumbing system is a quick and obvious indication of a leak. Our experts will fit a pressure gauge on parts of a plumbing or heating system that can be easily isolated. For example, pressure testing an underfloor heating system separately from the main central heating system can help to focus the investigation to a smaller area.

This basic method can only indicate the presence of a leak. Other detection methods are needed to help trace the location of the it.

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Our other damp and leak investigation pages

Our leak detection experts can be booked for a wide range of tasks. Read more about the range of services we provide here: –

Finding bath & shower leaks; bathroom leaks can be tricky to isolate, avoid unnecessary damage to tiled floors and walls with trace and access methods
Detection of ceiling leaks; as well as finding plumbing leaks our experts can trace any source of water ingress such as leaking roofs or brickwork
Finding heating system leaks; our Gas Safe registered tradespeople can pinpoint the location of a concealed leak anywhere on a central heating system
Damp and mould removal; before removing mould from walls be sure a leak or water ingress isn’t the cause of excess moisture that helps it to grow
Underground leak detection; the no-dig techniques used to find leaks in buried pipes are extremely reliable and include acoustic equipment and tracer gas
Our leak detection services; if you have signs of damp at home, we find and fix water leaks and sources of water ingress wherever they are in a property

Our guarantee and accreditations

We're fully trade accredited and registered with Gas Safe and the National Association of Drainage Contractors (NADC). All our trace and access leak detection experts are vetted and fully trained. In addition, the Aspect Guarantee covers our tradesmen's workmanship for up to 12 months.

When you book an Aspect trace and access specialist you can count on getting the professional expertise you're looking for.

Areas we cover

Our trace and access leak detection specialists can be booked to work anywhere in London. We’ve expanded our service area to cover most of the Home Counties too.

We can usually schedule a leak detection specialist anywhere in Surrey, Kent and Essex and most of Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. If you need a tradesperson outside of these areas we might still be able to help. Our scheduling team will check availability for you.

Submit a callback request and someone from our team will get in touch. We’re ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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