Underfloor Leak Detection & Repair Service

We understand the stress of having an underfloor leak. Hoping to find the cause by removing large sections of a floor is not ideal. Especially when it could leave you facing water damage, a large repair bill, and no guarantee of resolution.

Our underfloor leak detection experts use non-invasive methods to pinpoint the location of underfloor leaks. These trace and access techniques minimise damage. Exposing a leak for repair is then highly targeted. It’s why insurers usually require leak detection companies to follow this approach.

If you have an underfloor leak, get in touch and we can send an expert out straight away. Our team is available 24/7 and ready to help.

Our experts use cutting-edge tools to pinpoint the source of the leak. Tests include:

• Thermal imaging cameras: detect temperature differences. Cool points can indicate the presence of moisture. They’re particularly helpful for underfloor heating leak detection.
• Moisture meters: devices that measure the moisture content of flooring materials like wood and concrete.
• Pressure testing: checks on different parts of plumbing and heating systems help to narrow the search.
• Acoustic listening devices: detects vibrations that water makes when leaking from pressurised pipes. A microphone at floor level amplifies the vibrations into sound.
• Tracer gas: a harmless gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen. When injected into pipes, a device detects it as it seeps out. The gas can escape through hardwood, laminate, tile, and concrete floor coverings.

Plumbing leaks:

Wear and tear, poor installation, or accidental damage to pipes in your plumbing system are a common cause of underfloor leaks. Water supply pipes beneath a property can also leak.

You might notice warped floorboards, damp patches, musty smells and mould growth.

Central heating leaks:

Even when there are no visible signs of moisture on a floor, evidence such as recurring pressure loss on a boiler can indicate a leak.

Our Gas Safe experts can pinpoint these hidden leaks in heating pipes even if they’re under a floor covering.

Drainage leaks:

When drainage pipes leak, water can seep into the underfloor area of a property. Damp patches and persistent sewage smells point to this type of problem.

Drain cameras, smoke and dye tests are commonly used to find faults in underfloor drainage systems. Tracer gas is used when trying to locate a leak beneath solid floors including concrete.

Groundwater ingress:

Causes could include a damaged damp proof membrane, or an external groundwater breaching a damp proof course.

If your property has a suspended wooden floor, water can accumulate under floorboards during heavy rain. You might notice warping or buckling, water stains, and mould growth.

The advanced equipment used for underfloor leak detection means the location of a leak can be pinpointed with a high level of confidence. Visual confirmation is always needed though so that repairs can be made. Usually, only a small section of the floor will need to be removed to expose a leak to where it’s traced.

Fixing underfloor leaks doesn’t always mean removing an entire floor covering. Damage will always be kept to a minimum. We have flooring experts who can reinstate all types of floors to their original condition once the leak repairs have been carried out.

Sometimes, an entire new floor will have to be laid in order to restore the area to its original condition. Following the detection and repair of an underfloor leak, we can estimate for the repair or relaying of a floor for an insurance claim.

A detailed report is provided with every underfloor leak detection attendance. In our report, we’ll provide the evidence you need to make an “escape of water” claim with your insurance company. This includes a record of all the tests used, findings of the tests and supporting photos.

You can read our advice on making a successful “escape of water” claim in our knowledge article. If you have any questions, our team if ready to help.