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How to check for a leak at home

If you think you have a leak, there are a few ways you can test your supply to check before you get a plumber in to fix it.

Water is a precious resource which is why it’s important we don’t let it go to waste.

Spotting leaks at home can be a challenge as they are often hidden. In most cases an increase in your bill may be the first sign that there might be an issue.

Leaks don’t just have an impact on your pocket, they can cause damage to your appliances or even your home itself.

Here’s a few ways you can test your supply to check for leaks before you get a plumber in to fix it. 

 

Checking for a toilet leak

Around 1 in 10 properties have a constantly running toilet and they’re not always easy to spot. A leaking toilet can waste an average of 400 litres of water a day which works out at approximately £300 per year. 

 

The reason for this is modern toilet systems tend to overflow into the bowl rather than through an external overflow pipe making them harder to find.

Leak detection tablets provide a simple way to check if a toilet has a leak. You can do a water use quiz and order free leak detection tablets through GetWaterFit.

You can also check for a leaky loo by following the below simple steps:

  1. Around 30 minutes after the last flush, wipe the back of the pan dry with toilet paper
  2. Next, place a new, dry sheet of toilet paper across the back of the pan
  3. Leave it there for up to three hours without using the toilet, or even better overnight
  4. If the paper is wet or torn after this time – you have a leaky loo

If you have a leaking toilet, it is often just a valve or a seal that may need replacing. If you do not feel comfortable replacing this yourself, we have a list of approved plumbers.

Other common leaks

Dripping taps

A dripping tap can waste up to 5,000 litres a year – the same as 63 baths. A leaking tap commonly just needs a washer replacing.

Household appliances

Appliances that have not been plumbed in correctly can often leak. Check for any signs of leakage behind your washing machine or dishwasher.

Sometimes appliances will only leak when they are in use. This is normally the case for boilers which can sometimes lose water when the heating is switched on causing intermittent leaks.

Overflow from a water tank or cistern in the loft

Check if you can see water dripping or running out of an external overflow pipe. These signs may mean you have a leak.

Checking for leaks outside of your property

If you have a leak outside of your property, there are a few early signs that might help you find and fix the leak before it becomes a bigger problem.

Signs that indicate a leak:

  • A wet patch in your grass or paving
  • An area of grass growing much quicker than that around it
  • Sunken patches or slabs of paving
  • A change in water pressure

 

How to check for leaks with your water meter

If you have a water meter then you can use it to check for leaks. If you are unsure how to read your water meter, we have a handy guide  how to do so. 

If your water meter is inside your home

If your meter is inside your home, complete the following quick and easy steps. 

  1. Turn off all your taps (including your internal stop tap) and appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines etc
  2. Make a note of the full reading on your water meter (including red digits and dials where applicable)
  3. Wait for a minimum of three hours and read your water meter again. The reading on your meter should not have changed during the time between the two readings. 
  4. If your water meter still shows the same reading, turn your internal stop tap on
  5. Wait ten minutes, making sure you still don’t use any water
  6. Take a note of the meter reading

If the meter reading has changed, this would indicate there is an internal leak at your property. 

If you need help finding and fixing the leak, you'll be able to find a list of approved plumbers in your area

If the water meter is outside your home

If your water meter is outside your home and you’re able to read it, complete the following steps.

  1. Turn off all your taps (including your internal stop tap) and appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines 
  2. Take a note of the full reading on your water meter (including red digits and dials)
  3. Wait for a minimum of three hours and read your water meter again. The reading on your meter should not have changed during the time between the two readings
  4. If the meter reading has changed, this would indicate there is a leak between your meter and home. Call us on 0800 783 4444 so we can help you investigate further
  5. If the numbers on your meter have remained the same, turn on your internal stop tap again and don’t use any water for a further 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes read your meter again.

If the meter reading has changed, this would indicate there is an internal leak at your property. If you need help finding and fixing the leak, you'll be able to find a list of approved plumbers in your area. 

If the meter reading hasn’t changed, this would indicate you don’t have a leak

How to check for a leak if you don’t have a water meter

If you're not on a meter, and you think your water isn’t flowing as it should, you can carry out a quick test to check your water pressure.

If your water is flowing properly, it should fill a litre container in about 7 seconds. If it takes much longer than this, there may be a problem with your water pressure.

Check for known problems in your area before you contact us as it may already have been reported.

You can report a problem to us online, by talking to our customer care team on webchat or by calling us on 0800 783 4444.

If you have visible water or damp, we would advise you to find an approved plumber near you who can investigate the cause.

 

How to report a leak

How you report a leak depends on who is responsible for the maintenance of pipes and drains in that part of the network.

Report a leak at your home

If you have a leak on pipework within your property boundary, after your external stop tap,
you’ll need to find a plumber to repair it.

If you rent your home, you should contact your landlord or letting agent to arrange a repair.

Report a leak on our network

If you’ve detected or spotted a leak on anything we own, let us know as soon as possible
so we can make sure it gets fixed.

We just need details about where the leak is and how fast the water from the leak is flowing.

When your leak has been fixed

Great news! Now that your leak has been fixed, you may be eligible for a leakage allowance.

 

How we find and fix leaks

Our teams are constantly monitoring our network, checking for subtle changes in flow rate and pressure that may indicate leaks.

Understanding pipe responsibility

Responsibility for the maintenance and repair of the water and waste network is split between us and home owners.

Leakage allowance

After you've had a leak, you may be able to claim back the cost of the lost water on a one-off basis.