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A Damp Patch On The Ceiling Is A Leak That's Already Been Running A While
By the time water shows up somewhere you can actually see it, it's usually been finding its way through somewhere you can't for days or weeks.
The obvious ones, a pipe that's actually burst, water visibly pouring out, get sorted fast because there's no mystery about where to look. The harder ones are the slow leaks: a damp patch that grows a little each week, a water bill that's crept up with no clear reason, a smell of damp in a cupboard that was fine last month.
Ripping out floorboards or walls to go looking is expensive and makes a mess of a house that might not need either. Finding the actual source first, before anything gets pulled apart, is the entire point.
What Happens When You Call
Stop anything actively leaking
Isolated first if it's still running, so the damage stops getting worse while the rest gets worked out.
Trace the source properly
Moisture checks and, where it's genuinely needed, tracing the pipe run itself before anyone lifts a floorboard on a guess.
Fix the cause, not the symptom
A patched ceiling looks fine for a month and then the same stain comes back if the pipe underneath was never actually dealt with.
Real Reviews For This Job
“Sam was lovely and really helpful. Sorted out our leak really promptly and efficiently. Would definitely recommend and will be using for any future problems!!”
“Great communication, arrived at the specified time, completed the work to a high standard, and was clean, tidy and professional.”
Checkatrade member since March 2015, backed by their £1,000 guarantee.
Plumbing Repairs & Leaks: The Questions People Ask
How do you find a leak without pulling up the whole floor?+
Moisture checks first, and knowledge of how pipework is typically run for the age of house you've got. Most leaks get narrowed down without opening up more than one small section.
My water bill's gone up but there's no visible damp. Could it still be a leak?+
Yes, and it's one of the more common reasons Sam gets called out. A leak running into the ground outside can go on for months before it ever shows indoors.
Is this covered by home insurance?+
Often, yes, particularly for hidden leaks. A written report of what was found can be provided, which most insurers ask for as part of a claim.
What should I do while waiting for someone to look at it?+
Know where your stopcock is and turn it off if the leak's active. It's usually under the kitchen sink or where the mains enters the house.