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Trace and Access Leak Detection and Investigation Reports

If you have a hidden water leak, it’s important to locate the source quickly. Failing to act straight away could cause further damage to your property and a claim being rejected by your insurance company. They usually insist on an investigation by a trace and access leak detector.

Uncovering the source of a leak is a complex task that often goes beyond simply exposing pipework. Our team of professional leak detectors are equipped with various non-invasive detection methods to trace the origin of a leak. Their expertise in identifying the source of any type of leak is unparalleled.

At the end of each investigation, we provide a comprehensive trace and access report. This detailed document is essential when your insurance company reviews an escape of water claim. We help to ensure a smooth and efficient claim process.

WATCH: How trace and access leak detection works

This video shows some of the trace and access techniques used for water leak detection.

Every investigation is different. Our leak detection specialists follow a methodical approach. They decide on the tests to use based on the evidence available to them and the results they get.

How to find a water leak

Our trace and access services

Our experts can locate every type of water leak or source of water ingress. A detailed report is provided with every investigation to support a “trace and access” insurance claim. Whether you have a plumbing leak, a roofing problem, or penetrating damp, we guarantee to find it.

Plumbing leaks

Our Gas Safe registered experts attend suspected internal plumbing leaks

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Central heating leaks

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

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Bathroom leaks

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

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Shower leaks

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

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Mains supply leaks

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

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Concrete slab leaks

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

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Underground leaks

Leaks can be pinpointed in pipes buried beneath several feet of soil

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Roofing leaks

Pinhole leaks found in flat roof coverings and around skylights and roof windows

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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 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
My insurance company wasted a day by not sending a trace and access specialist. When Aspect sent Aaron he efficiently eliminated the possibilities and found the leak and fixed it. Then put together a report for me to submit to my insurer while also arranging for someone to come to repair the damage the leak had caused. I will certainly be working with Aaron and Aspect again.

Katie, Ingatestone, CM4
Luke from Aspect has just completed a trace and access investigation at my property and detected the leak within an hour. He was very thorough and is extremely professional, taking time to explain all options available to rectify the issue. Aspect is definitely a company I would be happy to recommend to anyone.

Kenny, Huntingdon, PE28
Aspect has never let me down. Not the cheapest but they always turn up and deliver. On this occasion some expert leak tracing by Aaron using enough tech kit to launch a spaceship. Really good service and a job well done.

Matt, Gerrard's Cross, SL9
I had a problem in unable to trace a leak from a pipe. Aspect sent Jim along to find the leak. He was very thorough and efficient tackling the investigating. He was very courteous and careful of our home. The job is still ongoing and am confident the problem will be resolved.

Michael, Leighton Buzzard, LU7

Trace and access detection methods

A thermal image camera view of concealed central heating pipes

The equipment used by our trace and access leak detection experts is non-invasive. The trace and access approach is required by most insurance companies when processing an insurance claim.

Thermal imaging
Tracer gas
Acoustic surveys
Moisture meters
Borescope cameras
CCTV drain cameras
Salts analysis
Pressure tests
Tracer dyes
Electric voltage tests

Frequently asked questions

What is a trace and access report?

A detailed report supports all of our leak detection investigations. It includes a professional assessment, photos and information on the equipment used to trace a leak, 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 evidence to support an “escape of water” or “trace and access” insurance claim.

Are trace and access costs covered by home insurance?

Your home insurance policy almost certainly includes an “escape of water” or “trace and access” clause. If it contains a “trace and access”, the cost of tracing the location of a hidden or hard-to-find leak and then accessing it for visual confirmation will be covered, less the excess. However, if it only covers “escape of water”, it might not cover the investigation cost. You should check with your insurer.

Some policies cover the cost of repairing the leak, others don’t. You should also check your policy for “reinstatement” cover, which is the cost of the work needed to return a water-damaged area to its original condition before the leak.

Specific wording or circumstances can mean an insurance claim is unsuccessful. Reasons for this include a lack of maintenance, failure to respond quickly to the signs of a leak, and, if the water is from an external source, such as a leaking roof, rather than an internal plumbing system.

Can leaks be detected out of hours?

Aspect is one of the largest leak detection companies in the UK. We provide emergency leak detection services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

In an emergency, we aim to have a leak detection specialist at your property within 1 hour of receiving a booking. There is no extra charge for emergency attendance. Our half-hourly attendance rates start from £49.50 + VAT.

The only type of leak we can’t investigate at night is roofing leaks. This is due to health and safety regulations.

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

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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

A yellow and blue Aspect van on the road.

We provide trace and access leak detection services across Greater London, the South East, the East of England, and parts of the Midlands.

We can schedule trace and access leak detection 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 if we cover your area. If you are outside our coverage area, we may still be able to help. Please call or submit a callback request form, and a member of our scheduling team will contact you.

Submit your request

Trade-accredited experts

We have more than 20 years of experience and are fully trade-accredited. We are registered with Gas Safe, the National Association of Drainage Contractors (NADC), and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). All our trace and access leak detection experts are vetted and fully trained. Their years of knowledge and experience help them detect and repair hard-to-find leaks.

When a water leak is exposed, they can scope and estimate the work needed to fix the problem and prevent further water damage. For your peace of mind, our tradespeople's workmanship is backed by our 12-month guarantee.

Accessing and repairing leaks

Tracing a leak will lead our leak detection engineer to a specific location without making holes in walls, ceilings, or floors. They will pinpoint the location with a high level of confidence. Accessing the source of the leak is required as visual confirmation.

The “access” part of a trace and access investigation is usually highly targeted. This results in minimal damage to building fabric. If accessing doesn’t reveal the source of the leak, the process of tracing the leak continues.

Unlike some other specialist leak detection companies, our leak detectors also provide full repair services. They will stop the leak and can quote for full reinstatement of water-damaged parts of the property.

With experts covering every trade, we can facilitate every part of your trace and access claim.

TIP: Check you water meter for underground leaks

We recommend that our customers check their meters regularly. We often find leaks at properties without visible signs of water damage. Usually, a high water bill is the first indication of a leak below a property.

Checks every 3 to 6 months will pick up pinhole leaks in supply pipes buried beneath your property.

Our trace and access leak detection experts can locate leaks in pipes buried several meters underground without the need for excavation. We can then fix or replace old pipes that have corroded, worn, or ruptured over time.

Need more info on our trace and access leak detection services? Our team can call you. Request a callback

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