Hidden leaks indoors
Damp patches on walls, ceilings or floors, mould that keeps coming back, and the sound of running water when everything's off.
Leak Detection in Reading
Water meter still turning, a damp patch spreading, or pressure dropping for no reason? Compare quotes from up to 3 vetted plumbers in Reading who can find the leak.
- Reviews from real, invoiced jobs
- Vetted local trades
- Free for homeowners
Leaks we can help find
Supply pipe and water meter
A meter that keeps turning with every tap off, low water pressure, and wet ground or puddles in the garden or drive.
Heating system leaks
Heating pressure that keeps dropping, leaks from radiator pipes under floors, and damp around radiators or the cylinder.
A quick check before you book can tell you a lot. If you have a water meter, turn off every tap and anything that uses water, read the meter, wait an hour without using any water, then read it again. If the numbers have moved, water is escaping somewhere between the meter and your taps. If instead your boiler pressure keeps falling, the leak is more likely on the heating system. Note what you've found and where any damp is showing, as it helps the plumber bring the right equipment.
Finding a hidden leak is skilled work. Plumbers use thermal imaging cameras, acoustic listening equipment, moisture meters and pressure tests that isolate one part of the system at a time. The aim is to pinpoint the leak and only open up the wall or floor where it's needed. Ask whether a quote covers finding the leak only, or the repair and making good as well.
Who pays depends on where the leak is. In general, Thames Water looks after the pipe up to your property boundary, and you're responsible for the supply pipe from there into your home. If the leak is on your supply pipe outside the house, Thames Water may be able to repair it for free, as long as it isn't covered by insurance or home emergency cover. Check with Thames Water before you book. Many home insurance policies also include "trace and access" cover, which pays to find a leak and make good the damage caused getting to it. Ring your insurer first.
Reading's housing adds its own challenges. In Victorian terraces, pipes often run under suspended timber floors that can be lifted, but in many post-war homes they're buried in solid concrete floors. There, a plumber may suggest rerouting the pipe rather than breaking up the floor.
If water is coming through a ceiling or near electrics, turn off the water at the stop tap and switch off the electrics at the consumer unit if it's safe, then say so when you post your job. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see how other homeowners rated a plumber's work.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber, per hour | £45–£75 | Finding and fixing a visible leak often takes an hour or two |
| Leak detection survey (non-invasive) | £250–£600 | Thermal imaging, acoustic and pressure testing |
| Repair a leaking pipe once found | £75–£350 | Depends on access |
| Repair an underground supply pipe | £300–£1,000 | Depends on depth, length and what it runs under |
| Reroute a pipe instead of breaking up a solid floor | £300–£900 | Often quicker and less disruptive than digging |
Typical UK ranges; your quotes depend on the job and access.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the job
Check your Reading postcode and describe what you need. Photos help.
- 2
Get up to 3 quotes
Up to 3 vetted local trades who cover your part of Reading can quote.
- 3
Compare and choose
Read reviews from their real, invoiced jobs, compare the quotes, and choose who to invite round. Or choose no one.
How Trade Pilot helps you hire in Reading
Vetted local trades
We check every plumber before they can quote. For any gas work, always ask to see a Gas Safe ID card.
Reviews from real jobs
Reviews on Trade Pilot are tied to invoiced jobs, so you’re reading about work that was actually done and paid for.
Free, with no obligation
Posting a job and getting up to 3 quotes is free for homeowners. You choose who to invite round, or no one at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-invasive leak detection survey usually costs £250 to £600, depending on the size of the home and the equipment needed. Repairing the leak and making good are often priced separately, so ask what's included.
With every tap and appliance off, check whether your water meter is still moving. Other signs include damp patches, mould that keeps returning, a musty smell, the sound of running water, or heating pressure that keeps dropping.
In general, the water company is responsible up to your property boundary and you're responsible for the supply pipe from there into your home. Thames Water may repair a leak on your external supply pipe for free if it isn't covered by insurance, so ask them first.
Many policies include "trace and access" cover, which pays to find a leak and repair the damage caused getting to it. The cover and excess vary, so check your policy or ring your insurer before you book.
Non-invasive methods aim to pinpoint the leak first, so only a small area needs opening up. Ask the plumber how much they expect to open up and whether making good is included.
Often, yes, either on the heating pipework or inside the boiler. It can also be a faulty pressure relief valve or expansion vessel. If the leak is inside the boiler, you'll need a Gas Safe registered engineer.
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