How to find your ceiling leak

Ceiling leaks are one of the most frequent issues we encounter. Often, the source is a bathroom or kitchen directly above, with the leak occurring during the use of showers, baths, toilets, or taps. In other cases, the leak may seem random and persist as an unsolved problem for weeks or even months.

Some leaks present as a constant drip, while others can originate from a neighbouring property in multi-floor buildings, traveling between floors and affecting multiple homes.

We’re frequently called to properties where previous attempts by plumbers have failed to find the source. Even when it appears obvious, water can travel along unexpected paths, meaning the visible damage on the ceiling may not directly correlate to the source of the leak.

In many homes, plumbing is concealed behind walls, under floors, or in boxed-in sections of bathrooms. This hidden pipework can make locating the exact problem tricky without the right tools.

Using non-invasive, specialized equipment, we can identify leaks without causing unnecessary damage to your property:

• Gas Tracing: Introduces an inert tracer gas into the mains pipe. A sensitive probe then detects where the gas escapes through the floors or walls.
• Thermal Imaging: Maps out hidden and buried pipes, highlighting unusual heat patterns that may indicate a leak.
• Moisture Meter: Identifies hidden damp areas caused by leaking water.
• Endoscopic Camera: Allows us to visually inspect concealed pipes within floors and walls.
• Acoustic Microphone: Picks up the subtle sounds of water escaping from pipes.
• UV Dye: Highlights leaks in sealants, grout, and waste pipes.
• Pressure Testing: Finds leaks in mains, hot and cold water, central heating, and underfloor heating systems.
• Wet & Air Testing: Detects leaks in waste pipes, soil stacks, and drains.
• Consumption Testing: Measures unexplained water usage when all outlets are turned off.
• CAT & Genny: Maps the layout of hidden pipes.

Once we locate the leak, our engineers—who are also skilled plumbers—can typically carry out same-day repairs. This may involve removing flooring or accessing pipes embedded in concrete. After the repair, the system is thoroughly tested to ensure the leak has been fixed and to check for any further issues. Our engineers are dedicated to just one leak detection per day, allowing them to continue investigating further leaks if needed. In rare cases where same-day repairs aren’t possible due to the location of the leak, we’ll schedule a follow-up visit with the necessary tradespeople.