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Professional water leak detection involves the use of specialist equipment to locate hidden leaks.

A leak detection company will be needed if a plumber has been unable to find the source of a leak.

Common types of leak detection equipment include:

• Infrared cameras

• Acoustic listening and correlation

• Tracer reels and utility trackers

• Moisture metres

• Pressure testing kits

• Fluorescent dyes

Not all water leak detection companies in SM3 use the same equipment and methods. We recommend asking for details of the tools and testing methods used to find the right company for your needs.

Common signs of a hidden water leak include:

• Increased water bills

• Water stains on walls, floors and ceilings

• Mould and mildew growth

• Unpleasant ‘musky’ smell

• Damp patches

• Drops in boiler water pressure

• Pipe corrosion

• Puddles on the ground around toilet, taps, baths and sinks

• Wet patches in the garden and on the drive (during dry weather)

Finding and fixing a leak will prevent further water damage to your property. Fixing a leak as soon as possible will also save you money on water bills in the future.

If you have spotted the signs but don’t know where the water is coming from, it is time to hire a water leak detection company in SM3.

Water leak detection tests are often made up of two stages: trace and access.

During the trace stage, a leak detector will aim to use non-intrusive methods whenever possible to test your property’s pipework for leaks. For example, an infrared camera or fluorescent dye may be inserted into the pipes.

Occasionally intrusive methods such as drilling and digging will be needed for the test equipment to be used correctly.

Once the leak has been detected your tradesperson will move onto the access stage. This part of the test involves repairing the leak.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may choose to hire a plumber to do this work for you instead.

Often a water leak detector won’t know exactly how long the test will take until they arrive at your home.

That being said, a water leak detection test usually takes approximately half a day to complete.

The duration of the work will be longer if the pipes can’t be easily accessed.

Water leak detection companies are not all the same and some offer a better service than others. Finding a reputable tradesperson providing water leak detection in SM3 is a little easier when you use Checkatrade.

We only approve tradespeople who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 quality checks. We check all of our members and guarantee their work up to £1000 (T&Cs apply) for your added peace of mind.

You can find Checkatrade approved water leak detection services operating near you by using our simple search tool or requesting a quote online.

As well as searching our directory, there are several steps you can take to find a reputable leak detector covering SM3:

• Ask friends, family and local plumbers for recommendations

• Check ratings and read online customer reviews

• Request quotes from at least 3 local companies

• Ask about experience, costs and leak detection methods used

Read our leak detection hiring guide for more advice on finding the best tradesperson for your job.