If you don't know exactly where a leak is coming from, you need a specialist leak detection company. Plumbers can repair and restore most visible leaks without delay; however, if the leak isn’t visible and is hidden within your property, seeking the help of water leak detection specialists is the best option.
Some plumbing companies will dig up and take apart your property just to source the leak, but there’s no need for this. Our team can provide you with a non-destructive leak detection service that will save you time and money.
Whether it’s a pipe, gas or general water leak, the benefits of using Spectrum leak detection include:
Accuracy and precision
Our specialist team can find your leak's exact location and source with our professional equipment and expert knowledge without the need to damage the surrounding area to find hidden plumbing leaks.
Saving you money
Our services are fast and non-destructive, with no need to rip apart walls to detect leaks.
Rope access
As highly-trained abseilers, our experienced leak detection engineers can be hands-on and as close to the problem as possible. Other issues on your property may also be detected for you and highlighted to you in the report at the end, saving your additional maintenance costs in the future.
Temporary repairs
If our teams can resolve the issue upon first inspection, we will carry out the final leak repair right there and then. You will not have to wait for a report to be written and for another call-out charge. If our leak detection specialists need to come back to complete the repair, they will at least ensure that you have a temporary repair in place to stop the problem from getting worse.
Detailed reports
At the end of the service, our team will supply you with a full report of the leak detection, including images and other recommendations on the maintenance of your building. Our detailed reports of completed works will give you peace of mind and confirm that your problem has been fully resolved.
Your property should have a water leak detection service every other year to help prevent problematic plumbing leaks and save you from costly repairs further down the line.
Our leak detection and repair experts specialise in leaks originating externally, especially at height or from your building’s facade. We combine extensive leak detection experience with innovative access methods to ensure a successful repair no matter the height or complexity of your building.
Some common types of leaks that we encounter include:
Pipe leaks
While pipe leaks may seem like a small problem, if untreated they could lead to a much larger problem, especially if the pipes are hidden throughout your property and go unnoticed.
Drain leaks
How do you detect a drain leak? There are a few telltale signs that your drains are leaking, including bad smells, cracks in your walls or the sound of trickling water. If you’re still unsure whether you have a leak or not, then do not hesitate to reach out to our leak detection team today.
Roof leaks
A roof that is leaking can be a very serious and expensive issue. It will lead to more severe damage, expensive repairs and interior destruction. Our leak detection technicians are all IRATA trained and can reach, repair and restore your leaking roof from any angle.
Mains water leaks
Mains water leaks can be the most damaging type of leak. Common indicators include increased water bills, mould and other damage, or an empty water tank.
Our specialist team provides leak detection services by following three crucial steps:
- Assess: a visual inspection of the problem area is conducted and a plan of action is determined.
- Inspect: our roofing abseilers are sent to the site, bringing their expert knowledge and the relevant leak detection tool to find the source of your leak.
- Repair: we implement a temporary repair, so there’s no need for two call-outs.
The first step in the leak detection process is a visual assessment of the site. Once we have located the affected area, we will send out our abseiling team to access, inspect and repair it.
Here are some of the tools and techniques that we use:
Thermal imaging camera
This infrared camera converts the area's data into an image reflecting the surface temperature, which allows us to identify the temperature differences in your pipes. Damp areas show as blue, which means they are colder than the surrounding dry areas in red or orange.
Moisture testing
Moisture testing uses a metering device that measures the moisture levels of a surface. Performing several moisture readings throughout a property means we can deduce whether or not there’s an increase in moisture levels in the area being inspected. This assists us in tracing where there is water ingress or dampness.
Borescope inspection
This optical tool helps assist in a visual inspection of drains, pipes and wiring without needing to remove walls and ceilings. The camera on this instrument allows us to carefully navigate into places that would be impossible to see otherwise. This allows us to spot any small internal cracks, blockages or misaligned piping without having to lift flooring or remove large areas of a wall.
Water testing
This is where water is deployed to targeted areas to test whether the waterproofing system is working effectively, this is usually done on the roof of the property. Areas are isolated to provide accurate results of this ‘replicate leak’ detection method.
Drain CCTV inspection
CCTV equipment is a great tool for detecting leaks in pipes and drainage systems. This camera survey helps to determine whether there’s a failure in the downpipes or if it's a blockage. This method is mainly used for investigating gutter leaks from the ground, removing the need for any operatives to access the roof.
Dye testing
Similar to water testing, a dye test is a test that tracks the route of the potential source of the leak by adding coloured dye to the water. The colour is completely washable and doesn't leave any sort of staining. The dye will highlight the path of water ingress and show our team exactly where the water is tracking through the property.
There isn’t a ‘best’ leak detection method, as the correct method is tailored to the specific problem and location. The most suitable tools and methods are determined once all factors are thoroughly assessed. It’s crucial that any leak detection approaches are paired with specialist knowledge so that the results are as accurate as possible.