How to tell whether you have a hidden leak on the supply

A hidden supply leak is the one you cannot see: the pipe runs in the wall, under the screed, behind a cupboard or a unit. A leak from a shower, WC, sink, water heater, dishwasher or washing machine is easy to find. This one is not. And if it is not found quickly, it raises your bills and damages both your property and your neighbours’.

Do not panic and do not break open at random. It is enough to establish with certainty that there is a leak. The next step is a call to a specialist, who will find the exact place without destruction.

The meter check — five steps

Here is how to establish for yourself that you have a hidden leak on the plumbing in your home, office, shop, garage or warehouse.

1. Stop all use of water. Nobody washing their hands, using the WC or bathing; the washing machine and dishwasher switched off. No water for about 30 minutes.
2. Find the meter. In a house or a block, a shop, a warehouse or an office — at the incoming supply there are one or more meters with an isolating valve before them.
3. Check the leak indicator. Every meter has one; most often it is a small wheel or star that turns when water is drawn. If you are certain nobody is using water, it should not move. If it does, you probably have a leak.
4. Write the reading down. Note the figures on the dial, wait an hour or two without using water, and check again. Changed figures mean a leak on the supply.
5. Turn the water off. The main isolating valve is before the meter. Close it to limit the damage until a team arrives.

This check proves there is a leak. It does not show where — and that is what decides whether one square metre gets broken open, or a whole bathroom.

What follows

Locating it is done with a thermal camera and a moisture meter, without destruction. Diagnosis of an ordinary home takes between 40 minutes and 2 hours and ends with a report setting out the thermograms, the real photographs, the measured readings and the conclusion on the cause.

See hidden leak detection or get in touch — ProKanal EOOD is a dependable partner on the way to your peace of mind.