Water Mains Leak Detection in Hawkinge

Symptoms

Prior to the engineer's arrival, the hallway floor had already been lifted due to water damage, and a section of the tiled kitchen floor had been excavated in an attempt to find the leak — both without success. Moisture was visibly spreading across multiple areas of the ground floor.

Internal leak detection was needed to go beyond the visible damage and locate the precise source beneath the structure.

Methods Used

With the cold feed isolated as the source, tracer gas was introduced to the pipework. Pressure in the system kept dropping, and gas was detected concentrating under the utility sink unit.

Following discussion with the customer, a section of the sink unit was cut away and the tiled floor beneath was excavated, exposing the leaking 22mm copper pipe. This is precisely the kind of methodical approach that internal leak detection requires when a leak is hidden beneath fixed structures with no obvious surface signs.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   Customer briefing and initial assessment

   On arrival, the customer explained the history of recurring hallway water damage and the prior plumber's finding that the meter was constantly spinning. The engineer noted the existing excavation in the kitchen floor and the removed hallway flooring.

2. 2
   Moisture meter survey

   Moisture meter tests were carried out across the utility room, kitchen, hallway, and under the bedroom flooring, revealing high readings spread widely across the ground floor.

3. 3
   Water meter observation and stopcock test

   The water meter was confirmed to be spinning continuously. Isolating the internal stopcock stopped the meter entirely, confirming the leak was on the cold feed pipework.

4. 4
   Thermal imaging of hot pipework

   The thermal camera was used to track the run of the hot water pipes. No issues were found on the hot feed, ruling it out as the source.

5. 5
   Tracer gas applied to cold feed

   With the cold supply isolated, tracer gas was introduced to the pipework. Pressure continued to drop, indicating an active leak, and gas was detected beneath the utility sink unit.

6. 6
   Sink unit cut and floor excavated

   After discussion with the customer, a section of the sink unit was cut away. The tiled floor beneath was then excavated, exposing a leaking 22mm copper pipe.

7. 7
   Pipe repair carried out

   The leaking section of 22mm copper pipework was cut out and replaced using a 22mm Yorkshire coupler, a 22mm coupler, a 22mm elbow, and the required pipe.

8. 8
   Post-repair testing

   Following the repair, both the water meter and tracer gas tests were repeated across the pipework. No further leaks were found.

Result & Outcome

The customer has been advised to proceed with the insurance claim process and to arrange the drying works required to address the moisture that has built up within the structure. The repair itself is complete; the remaining work is remediation of the water-damaged areas.