How do I find where a leak is coming from?
Start where the water shows, then work back towards the nearest pipe, fitting or appliance. Water runs along pipes and joists before it drips, so a stain is often some distance from the actual leak.
These signs usually point to a leak somewhere in the house, even if you cannot see any water yet:
- Damp patches or stains on a ceiling
- Often below a bathroom, shower or radiator pipework.
- Water meter moving with everything off
- Turn off all taps and appliances, then watch the meter for a few minutes.
- A hissing or trickling sound
- Often a cistern refilling, or water escaping from a pipe under pressure.
- Mould or a musty smell
- Especially low on walls, inside cupboards or behind kitchen units.
- Low water pressure
- Water may be escaping before it reaches the tap.
- Swollen kickboards or lifting flooring
- A slow leak under a sink or appliance often shows here first.
What should I do first when I find a leak?
Turn off the water at the stopcock, keep water away from electrics and catch what you can. Then take photos and send them to us.
Your stopcock is the main shut-off valve for the house. It is often under the kitchen sink, but in some homes it is in a cupboard, under the stairs, in the garage or in a cellar. It is worth finding it before you ever need it.
- Turn off the stopcock
- Turn it clockwise. If it is very stiff, do not force it.
- Turn off the electrics if water is near fittings
- Switch off at the fuse box if water reaches sockets, lights or switches.
- Put a bucket or towels down
- Catch drips and protect the floor and the ceiling below.
- Open a cold tap
- This drains some water from the pipes once the stopcock is off.
- Take photos
- Close-ups of the leak and wider shots of the area help us price it.
What are the most common causes of leaks at home?
Most household leaks come from a joint, a seal or a hose rather than a split pipe. Once the source is found, these are usually fixed in a single short visit.
The parts that fail most often are:
- Compression fittings
- Joints tightened with a nut and brass ring (an olive). They weep if knocked or overtightened.
- Push-fit joints
- Plastic joints that grip the pipe. They can leak if the pipe was not cut or inserted properly.
- Washing machine and dishwasher hoses
- Rubber hoses perish and split with age, often out of sight behind the appliance.
- Waste traps under sinks
- The U-shaped pipe under the plughole. Loose nuts or worn seals cause drips.
- Toilet cisterns
- A worn inlet valve, flush valve or siphon lets water run constantly into the pan.
- Toilet pan connectors
- The seal between the toilet and the waste pipe can leak when you flush.
- Shower trays and silicone
- Failed sealant lets water under the tray and through the ceiling below.
- Radiator valves
- Drips at the valve nut or spindle are common on older radiators.
Who is responsible for a leak on my water supply pipe?
In most cases, the pipe inside your property boundary is the homeowner's responsibility, and the pipe outside it is the water company's. In Leicester and most of Leicestershire, that is Severn Trent.
The supply pipe brings water from the water main into your home. If a leak is on the public side, such as under the pavement, Severn Trent usually deals with it. If it is on your side, such as under the front garden or the kitchen floor, the repair is usually yours to arrange. Where the line falls can vary, especially with shared supplies in terraced streets, so check with Severn Trent if you are unsure.
If you are on a water meter and a leak has pushed your bill up, Severn Trent may offer a leak allowance in some cases. This is their decision and conditions apply, so contact them directly. Keeping the invoice for your repair can help.
Will my home insurance pay to find the leak?
It might. Many home insurance policies include 'trace and access' cover, which can pay towards finding a hidden leak and opening up walls or floors to reach it. Cover and limits vary, so check your own policy before work starts.
The repair to the leaking pipe or fitting itself is often not covered, while the damage the water caused may be. Your insurer may ask for photos, a description of the cause and a written quote. We can give you a clear written fixed price and photos of what we found to support your claim, but we cannot say what your insurer will pay.