Found signs of a hidden water leak?

1. Make the area safe

If water is escaping, close your internal stopcock if you can reach and operate it safely. Stop using a fixture if doing so clearly reduces the leak. Keep people away from a bulging ceiling or a slippery, flooded area.

Water near electrics needs urgent care. Turn off the electricity at the main switch only if you can do so safely, without standing in water or touching wet equipment. Otherwise keep clear and seek professional help. Have affected electrics checked by a qualified electrician before using them again. Read the government’s water and electrical safety advice.

2. Record what you can see

Take photographs from a safe position. Note when the problem started, where water appears and whether it follows rain, heating or use of a bathroom. Record the meter reading and boiler pressure if these are safely accessible. Keep earlier invoices or repair notes.

3. Describe the pattern without assuming the cause

What you notice	Useful information for the engineer
A stain beneath a bathroom	Which fittings were used and when the patch changes.
Boiler pressure falls repeatedly	How quickly it falls and whether an engineer has checked the boiler itself.
The meter moves without expected use	The readings and which appliances or valves were checked.
Damp appears after rain	The weather, wind direction and affected roof, wall or window.

These patterns guide the tests. They do not prove which pipe or building detail has failed. Water can travel before it becomes visible, and condensation or appliance faults can resemble a hidden pipe leak.

4. Tell the people responsible

If you rent, notify your landlord or managing agent promptly. In a flat, tell the managing agent about affected communal areas or neighbouring properties. If you intend to claim on home insurance, ask your insurer what approval and evidence it needs before booking investigation or non-emergency work.

Ask specifically about the cost of finding the leak, opening up, repairing the pipe and putting finishes back. Cover and excesses depend on the policy. Keep records of urgent steps taken to limit damage.

5. Arrange an investigation and agree the next steps

ADI can investigate hidden residential leaks using specialist detection equipment. The engineer works through the evidence before recommending access. Suitable pipework repairs are quoted separately.

The report records the findings and recommendations. Drying, electrical checks and making good may involve other trades. See how the survey and report work.