Discovering a water leak — whether it’s a damp patch appearing on the ceiling, water running down a wall, or a pool of water on the floor — is stressful. But acting quickly and in the right order can significantly reduce damage and protect your insurance position.

Step 1 — Stop the Water Supply if Necessary

If the leak is from a supply pipe (you can hear water running, or the source is clearly a pipe or appliance), turn off the water at the stopcock immediately. The main internal stopcock is usually under the kitchen sink or in the utility room.

If the leak is from a central heating system — indicated by a drop in boiler pressure or a hot, wet patch — turn off the boiler and allow the system to cool before investigating further.

Step 2 — Contain and Document

• Place towels or buckets to catch dripping water
• Move valuables, furniture and electronics away from the affected area
• Take photos and video of the damage immediately — date-stamped evidence is essential for insurance claims
• Note when you first noticed the problem and any changes

Step 3 — Contact Your Insurer

Report the leak to your buildings insurer as soon as possible. Most policies have a requirement to report water damage promptly. Obtain a claim reference number and ask specifically about trace and access cover — this pays for the cost of finding and accessing the leak, which is often the most expensive part.

Step 4 — Do Not Open Up Walls or Floors

It is tempting to start pulling up floorboards or removing plasterboard to find the leak yourself. Don’t. Without specialist detection equipment, you are likely to cause significant additional damage without finding the source. Specialist leak detection technology — thermal imaging, acoustic listening and tracer gas — can locate the leak precisely before anything is opened up.

Read more about our no-dig trace and access service.

Step 5 — Book a Professional Leak Detection Survey

Once you have contained the immediate situation and notified your insurer, book a professional leak detection survey. The investigator will use specialist equipment to locate the precise source of the leak and provide a written report that your insurer requires.

At Damp Mould Leak, we carry out same-day emergency surveys across London and Surrey and produce insurer-accepted written reports within 24 hours.

What Happens at a Leak Detection Survey?

• The engineer will discuss the symptoms with you and examine the affected areas
• Specialist equipment (thermal imaging, acoustic detection, tracer gas) is used to locate the leak precisely
• The source is confirmed before any access work is carried out
• A full written report with photographic evidence is produced
• The engineer will discuss repair options and pricing

Common Questions After Finding a Leak

Will I need to lift my floors?

Not always, and not before the leak is located precisely. Tracer gas detection can locate pipe leaks to within a few centimetres through solid floors, meaning access can be targeted to the exact location rather than exploratory.

How long will the survey take?

Most residential leak detection surveys take 2–4 hours. We will give you a realistic time estimate before we start.

Is trace and access covered by insurance?

Yes — most standard buildings insurance policies include trace and access cover as standard. This covers the cost of finding the leak and reinstating the finishes after repair. Check your policy excess and cover limits before we start.