How to Detect a Hidden Water Leak on Your Property

Hidden water leaks can cause serious damage if they aren’t found quickly. Unlike a burst pipe that floods your home or garden straight away, a slow leak can stay unnoticed for weeks, wasting water and increasing your bills. In England, many property owners only realise there’s a problem once the damage is done or their water pressure suddenly drops.

While some leaks are easy to spot, others can be hidden below ground or behind walls. Knowing what to look for and how to check your water supply will help you find a water leak early and fix the leak before it causes more problems.

Why Hidden Leaks Are a Big Issue

Even a small leak can waste a lot of water. Some can lose more than 400 litres of water a day without any clear signs. That amount adds up fast, increasing your bills and wasting a valuable resource.

If a leak happens under your garden or driveway, it can soften the soil, damage paving, and cause damp patches that never dry. Over time, this can even weaken your property’s foundations. Finding the leak quickly helps you avoid expensive repair work and stops more water from being wasted.

What Are the Signs That There’s a Hidden Water Leak on My Property?

Hidden leaks often start small, but they leave clues if you know what to look for. Common signs include:

• An increase in your water bill, even though your usage hasn’t changed.

• Wet or muddy areas in your garden during dry weather.

• A drop in water pressure from your outdoor tap or hose.

• Cracks or sinking areas in driveways or paving.

• The sound of running or hissing water when all taps are turned off.

• Patches of unusually green grass or plants growing faster than the rest.

  
  

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to check your water supply for leaks.

How to Find a Water Leak on Your Property

You can do a few simple checks yourself before calling a professional. The easiest way to start is by using your water meter and stop tap.

1. Locate Your Water Meter

Most water meters are in the pavement outside your property, under a small plastic or metal cover. In rural areas, they might be in your garden or driveway. You can confirm it’s yours by matching the serial number on the meter with the one on your bill.

2. Stop Using Water

Turn off all taps and water-using appliances, and make sure toilets aren’t filling. Wait 15 to 30 minutes to let everything stop flowing.

3. Take a Meter Reading

Write down the current meter reading, then check it again after your waiting period.

• If the numbers have changed, there’s a leak somewhere in your system.

• If they haven’t, there’s no leak at that moment.

  
  

4. Test the Stop Tap

Turn off your internal stop tap (also known as the stopcock) and run a tap to make sure no water comes out. Then look at the water meter again.

• If the dial stops moving, the leak is likely inside the property.

• If the dial keeps moving, the leak is probably outside, on the supply pipe between your home and the meter.

  
  

Once you know whether it’s internal or external, you can focus your search on the right area.

Finding the Leak Outside

External leaks usually happen on the underground supply pipe that connects your property to the main water line. Over time, age, frost, or ground movement can damage these pipes.

Walk along the route between your water meter and your home, looking for signs like damp patches, soft soil, or small puddles that don’t dry up. If you walk on paved areas, listen for hollow sounds beneath your feet or look for cracks and loose slabs.

Low water pressure is another sign that water is escaping before it reaches your taps. Sometimes you can even hear a faint bubbling or hissing sound near inspection covers.

If you spot any of these, record what you see. The details will help a professional locate and repair the leak more quickly.

Who Is Responsible for Fixing a Leak?

When you find a leak, who pays to fix it depends on where it is.

The water company is responsible for leaks in the public mains and their service pipes, up to the external stop tap or water meter at your boundary. Anything beyond that point, including the supply pipe leading to your home, is your responsibility.

If the leak appears to be outside your boundary, report it to your water supplier. They may send someone to check whether it’s on their network. If it’s within your property, you’ll need to arrange the repair yourself.

In some cases, supply pipes are shared between neighbours, or they run under shared driveways. If that’s the case, contact your water supplier or insurance company for advice before carrying out any repairs.

When Should I Call a Professional?

If your checks show that the leak is external or underground, it’s best to contact a professional. A specialist has the right tools and experience to find and fix the problem accurately without digging up large areas.

Professionals use several leak detection techniques, such as:

• Acoustic equipment that listens for the sound of escaping water underground.

• Thermal imaging cameras that find temperature changes caused by wet areas.

• Tracer gas testing, where a harmless gas is added to the pipes, then detected above ground where the leak appears.

• Moisture detection tools that measure damp levels in the ground.

  
  

These methods allow them to locate leaks precisely and repair the leak quickly, often with little disruption. It’s a process recognised by most insurance companies and may be covered under a “trace and access” clause in your policy.

External leaks often need specialist attention, especially when the damaged pipe is deep below the surface or close to other underground utilities. Companies such as DHC Utilities carry out external investigations and repairs, using professional leak detection technology to identify and resolve supply pipe leaks safely and efficiently.

What Can I Do to Fix a Hidden Leak?

If the leak is confirmed to be within your boundary, you’ll need to arrange for the damaged supply pipe to be repaired or replaced. Replacing the damaged section is often better than patching it, especially if the pipe is old or made from lead.

Before any work begins, take a meter reading and photos of the affected area. You may need them for your insurance company or water supplier later.

If the leak is near your driveway or foundations, a professional should carry out the excavation to avoid further damage. Some water companies offer help or grants to replace supply pipes if they’re old or leaking near the boundary, so it’s worth asking your supplier before starting work.

Insurance and Leak Allowances

If you’re on a metered water supply, a hidden leak can cause a big jump in your bill. Some water companies offer a leak allowance after you fix the leak. You’ll usually need to provide a meter reading immediately after the repair, and another reading two weeks later. This helps your supplier see the difference between normal use and the time when the leak occurred.

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of finding the leak under their trace and access cover, as long as it was sudden and not caused by wear and tear. Always check your policy details, as gradual leaks or poor maintenance might not be included.

Keep receipts, photos, and details of anyone involved in finding the leak. This evidence helps your insurance claim run more smoothly.

Preventing Future Leaks

Preventing leaks is much easier than repairing them. A few regular checks can make a big difference:

• Check your water usage often by comparing bills or using your online account.

• Turn your stop tap on and off occasionally so it doesn’t get stuck.

• Look for drips or corrosion on outdoor fittings like garden taps.

• Protect pipes in cold weather by wrapping them with insulation.

• Have your external system checked by a professional every few years.

  
  

If your property is large, a smart leak detection system can help. These devices monitor your water flow and alert you if unusual usage is detected, often before a leak becomes visible.

Safety and Environmental Impact

Leaks waste clean water and can damage the environment. Every litre lost puts extra pressure on treatment systems and local reservoirs. Fixing leaks quickly helps reduce this impact.

From a safety point of view, standing water around your property can make the ground unstable and slippery. If you ever suspect a burst pipe near electrical lines or other buried services, turn off your stop tap and call a professional straight away.

Final Thoughts

Detecting a hidden water leak on your property doesn’t need to be complicated. Simple checks like watching your water meter, taking regular meter readings, and listening for running water can reveal a lot.

If you find a problem, act fast to repair the leak and protect your water supply. For underground or hard-to-reach leaks, professional leak detection is the safest and most effective option.

Regular checks, good maintenance, and quick action will help keep your property safe, your bills under control, and your water flowing where it should.