Plumbing & Heating and Water Mains Specialist · Based in Cullompton, Devon
James Bexter is a leak detection engineer specialising in identifying hidden water leaks using thermal imaging, tracer gas, and acoustic listening equipment.
CIPHE accredited
WIAPS member
James is part of ADI Leak Detection — the UK's leading leak detection specialist with 1,250+ five-star Trustpilot reviews, full CIPHE and WIAPS accreditation, and £5 million public liability insurance.
James holds a Plumbing & Heating NVQ Level 2 and an OFTEC Technician qualification, backed by 8 years working on commercial and domestic plumbing and heating systems. He is particularly known for central heating and water mains leak detection, with additional grounding in 4 years of oil fired appliance technical work.
Recent leak investigations carried out by James Bexter across central heating, water mains, underfloor heating and bathroom leak detection.
A barn conversion in EX9 with an oil-fired system boiler, unvented cylinder, three bathrooms, a WC, twelve radiators and towel rails, and one underfloor heating circuit was losing pressure from its central heating system. Leak found inside kitchen boxing, failed fitting replaced.
At a property in TQ1, the owner of an 18-radiator central heating system had been forced to top up the system pressure repeatedly — sometimes as frequently as every three to four hours. Heating and cold feed leaks located in concrete beneath kitchen, repaired.
A property in TA2 — a farmhouse served by a private water mains supply — had a suspected leak on the underground pipework feeding both the house and a set of taps in the farm buildings. Underground mains leak located and repaired approximately 100 metres from meter.
Real Trustpilot feedback from customers James has attended.
James started out in plumbing and heating, spending 8 years working across commercial and domestic systems before specialising in oil fired appliance diagnostics for a further 4 years. That technical foundation gives him a precise understanding of how heating and water supply systems behave when something goes wrong. On a job, he works through the evidence methodically — using the data from his equipment to narrow down a leak location before any unnecessary work is done. It is an approach that tends to reduce disruption for homeowners significantly.
James specialises in central heating leak detection, water mains leak detection, underfloor heating leak detection, bathroom leak detection, drain leak investigation, and underground leak detection. He is particularly known for central heating and water mains work, drawing on a strong background in plumbing, heating, and oil fired appliance systems.
James uses thermal imaging cameras to identify heat or moisture anomalies behind walls and under floors without opening them up. Acoustic listening equipment picks up the sound signature of pressurised leaks within concealed or buried pipes, while tracer gas is used where acoustic methods need confirmation on tightly routed pipework. Borescope cameras and moisture meters support the investigation by providing visual access and quantifying water ingress.
James has 8 years in plumbing and heating, 4 years in oil fired appliance technical work, and 1 year in leak detection. He holds a Plumbing & Heating NVQ Level 2 and an OFTEC Technician qualification, reflecting his grounding in both heating systems and oil fired appliance diagnostics.
James works on domestic homes and commercial properties, covering leak investigations across central heating systems, underfloor heating, water mains, bathroom plumbing, drains, and buried underground pipework. His commercial and domestic plumbing and heating background means he is well-suited to both straightforward residential leaks and more complex system investigations.
If you have unexplained damp patches, rising water bills, a drop in heating system pressure, or warm spots on a floor that may indicate an underfloor heating leak, an investigation is warranted. Call ADI Leak Detection on 0800 731 3843 to book — ADI will aim to assign James where he is available in your area.
James follows a consistent five-stage process on every visit. The approach is non-invasive and designed to isolate the fault before any disruption to your property.
James works on central heating systems, underfloor heating, water mains, bathroom plumbing, drains, and underground pipework.
His investigations cover a broad range of leak types — from slow internal drips affecting bathroom fittings through to pressurised mains failures on buried supply pipes and drain leak investigations.
James covers a wide area across the South West of England and South Wales, including Bristol, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, as well as South Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, and Gwent.
James works on both residential and commercial properties, handling everything from straightforward internal leaks in domestic homes to more complex investigations involving buried mains pipework or commercial heating systems.
His 8 years in plumbing and heating across commercial and domestic settings means he is comfortable with the range of systems typically found in both property types.
James carries out leak detection surveys across South West & Wales. His work includes domestic and commercial investigations involving central heating, water mains, underfloor heating, bathroom, and drain leaks.
ADI Leak Detection aims to provide next-day availability across the UK — call today for a quote.
