Specialist Leak Detection Services
Water leaks are often silent destroyers. A tiny drip behind a wall or under a concrete floor can go unnoticed for months, rotting timber, damaging plaster, and causing mold to flourish. By the time you spot the damp patch, the damage is already done.
Traditional plumbers might suggest ripping up floors or knocking holes in walls to find the pipe. At TrueFlow, we take a different approach. We use advanced, non-invasive technology to pinpoint the exact location of the leak with minimal disruption. We serve homeowners, insurance companies, and businesses across Bracknell, Reading, Windsor, and Berkshire.
Signs You Might Have a Hidden Leak
If you don’t see water pouring from the ceiling, how do you know you have a leak? Watch out for these subtle indicators:
- Unexplained Water Bills: If you are on a meter and your usage spikes without a change in lifestyle, water is escaping somewhere.
- Boiler Pressure Drops: Combi boilers are sealed systems. If you have to top up the pressure frequently (e.g., once a week), there is a leak in the heating loop.
- Damp and Mold: Wet patches on walls, lifting floorboards, or a musty smell are tell-tale signs.
- The Sound of Running Water: Hearing a hissing or dripping sound at night when all taps are off.
- Warm Spots on Floors: A hot patch on a tiled or laminate floor often indicates a leak in the underfloor heating or hot water pipes.
Our Non-Invasive Technology
We find the leak without destroying your home. Our engineers are equipped with a suite of specialist tools designed to “see” and “hear” through solid materials.
1. Thermal Imaging
Our high-resolution infrared cameras detect minute temperature differences. Escaping hot water glows bright orange/white against the cooler floor, allowing us to map the path of heating pipes and identify the bloom of a leak instantly.
2. Acoustic Profiling
Pressurized water escaping from a pipe creates a specific noise frequency. We use sensitive ground microphones and electro-acoustic listening sticks to amplify this sound, allowing us to locate leaks buried deep under concrete or soil.
3. Tracer Gas
For difficult leaks (especially in small leaks or plastic pipes that don’t transmit sound well), we drain the system and fill it with a safe, inert gas (hydrogen/nitrogen mix). This gas consists of small molecules that escape through the leak and rise through the floor. Our “sniffer” probe detects the gas at the surface, pinpointing the leak’s position.
4. Moisture Mapping
We use non-destructive moisture meters to map the dampness in walls and floors. By tracking the moisture gradient, we can trace the water back to its source.
The “Trace and Access” Process
Many home insurance policies cover “Trace and Access”—the cost of finding and exposing the leak. We can help with this process.
- Survey: We attend your property and use our technology to locate the leak.
- Pinpoint: We mark the exact spot (usually within a few floor tiles).
- Access: We carefully expose the pipe (e.g., lifting one floorboard or removing one tile) rather than digging up the whole room.
- Repair: We fix the leak on the spot.
- Report: We provide a comprehensive report with photos and findings that you can submit to your insurer to validate your claim.
Why Choose TrueFlow for Leak Detection?
- Save Money: Finding a leak early prevents expensive structural damage.
- Save Disruption: We avoid unnecessary destruction of your decor.
- Expertise: Leak detection is a skill. Our engineers are trained to interpret complex data from our equipment.
- Equipment: We invest in the latest industry-leading technology (Flir, Sewerin, etc.).
Common Leak Locations We Find
- Underfloor Heating: Manifolds and pipe loops buried in screed.
- Mains Supply Pipes: The pipe running from your street boundary to your stopcock.
- Central Heating Pipes: Copper or plastic pipes running under floorboards or in wall chases.
- Waste Pipes: Leaking joints in boxed-in areas or behind bath panels.
Areas We Cover
We provide specialist leak detection services throughout the region:
Stop the Drop Today
Don’t let a hidden leak damage your home. Trust TrueFlow to find it fast and fix it effectively.
Call 0808 175 7440 to book a leak detection survey in Bracknell or anywhere in Berkshire.