0800 Homefix is a Gas Safe registered London plumbing company specialising in water leak detection and repair across Greater London and the surrounding home counties. Our specialists use thermal imaging, acoustic listening equipment, moisture meters, and tracer gas to pinpoint the exact source of a leak before any access work begins. We document what we find for your insurer, show you where it is, and fix it.
Emergency response
CALL-OUT fee
Insurance-ready report
Located before we open up
Every engineer verified
Your property protected
Qualified for mains water
Formally qualified engineers
On all our workmanship
WHY CHOOSE 0800 HOMEFIX
We have been carrying out leak detection investigations across London and South East for years. In that time we have found leaks that other engineers could not locate – pipe failures buried in concrete screed, micro-leaks inside plastered walls, joints that had been slowly weeping behind kitchen cupboards for months.
The difference is the equipment and the method. We do not guess. We gather evidence using a combination of acoustic detection, thermal imaging, tracer gas and moisture mapping, and we do not open your walls or floors until we know precisely where the leak is.
Detection Methods
We do not rely on a single method. Different leaks need different approaches. The right combination is what allows us to find leaks that other engineers miss.
01
Sensitive listening equipment picks up the sound of water escaping under pressure inside pipework.
The noise a pressurised leak makes travels through surrounding materials – concrete, screed, masonry, timber – and our equipment isolates that signal even when the pipe is buried deep. This is the method we reach for first on cold and hot water supply pipes where pressure confirms a leak is present.
02
Moisture holds heat differently to dry building materials. An infrared camera makes this difference
visible even when the wall or ceiling looks completely dry to the eye. A hot water leak behind the plasterboard, a heating pipe losing water inside a suspended floor, a central heating joint that has been weeping for months – all of these show a temperature pattern that our engineers can interpret and pinpoint.
03
A harmless mix of nitrogen and hydrogen is introduced into the pipe under investigation. The gas is
lighter than air and passes through concrete, tile adhesive, timber and most building materials. It
rises to the surface at the exact point of failure. A handheld detector then traces the gas to its exit
point, giving us a precise location. This is the most accurate method we have for leaks buried in deep
concrete or beneath floor finishes.
04
Moisture meters take calibrated readings across the affected area to show exactly where saturation
levels are elevated and where they return to normal. Mapping the spread of moisture through a structure shows us which direction the water is travelling, which helps establish where the source is, even when it is some distance from the visible damage. We use this method regularly on ceiling leaks where the stain gives little indication of the true origin point.
05
Before committing to a full investigation, pressure testing confirms whether a loss is actually present in the system. Sections of pipework are isolated and held under pressure. If the pressure drops over a set period, the test confirms a leak exists in that section. This is the diagnostic step that tells us which part of the system to investigate and stops unnecessary investigation in areas that are not leaking
Central Heating
A heating system that keeps losing pressure is one of the most common reasons people call us. You top the boiler up, the pressure holds for a day or two, and then it drops again. There is no obvious wet patch anywhere. This is a classic sign of a hidden leak in the central heating pipework.
Central heating leaks are difficult to find because the pipes run throughout the entire property, often under floors and inside walls. The water that escapes evaporates quickly because the system runs warm, which means it leaves little trace at the surface.
Our approach combines pressure testing to confirm the system is losing water, followed by tracer gas or thermal imaging to locate the precise failure point. In most cases we identify the source in a single visit.
Common causes we find:
If your boiler is regularly losing pressure and you cannot find the source, call us on 02080530369. We carry out a full investigation and provide a written report of our findings.
WHY CHOOSE 0800 HOMEFIX
There are a number of leak detection companies operating in London. Here is what makes a practical difference when you are dealing with a real leak in your property.
Most leak detection companies locate the problem and leave. Our engineers carry out the investigation and the repair in the same visit where possible. One call, one invoice, no gaps in responsibility.
We use acoustic detection, thermal imaging and tracer gas before anything is opened. Narrowing the source to within 1 square metre means access work is targeted, not exploratory. Your property is protected.
Our written reports are structured to meet the requirements of the major UK insurers. They include the method used, the confirmed location, photographs and the extent of damage. Delivered within 48 hours.
Every engineer holds a current Gas Safe registration. You can ask to see the card before work begins and verify the registration independently at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.
Every repair we carry out is guaranteed for 12 months. If the same fault returns, we come back and address it at no additional charge. No argument, no conditions.
Leaks do not follow business hours. We are available 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year for both investigations and emergency repairs. Same-day appointments across all our coverage areas.
Ceiling and Structural Leaks
Water coming through a ceiling is one of the most misleading problems to deal with. The wet patch almost never marks the exact location of the problem. Water travels along joists, cables and pipes before it finds the path of least resistance and drops through below.
Before you remove ceiling plaster or blame the property above, get a proper investigation carried out.
Here is what you should do:
Turn off the water supply if the leak is severe and causing active damage
Do not make any unnecessary holes in walls or ceilings before an engineer has investigated – unauthorised access work can complicate an insurance claim
Photograph the damage including the water stain and any visible drips
Call a specialist to locate the source before any repair work starts – your insurer will likely require a leak detection report before approving any claim
Common causes include a leaking pipe from the bathroom or kitchen above, a failed joint in the central heating system, a leaking waste pipe running through the ceiling void, and water ingress from a flat roof area. Our engineers use thermal imaging and moisture mapping to identify where water is tracking through the structure and provide a written report with photographs confirming the source
The people behind the service
When you call 0800 Homefix, a real named engineer attends your property. Every person on our London team is Gas Safe registered, NVQ qualified, DBS checked, and carries full ID. Here are some of the engineers who may attend your job.
8+ years experience · North, East & West London
With over 8 years of experience servicing North, East and West London, I specialise in locating hidden leaks quickly and accurately using non-invasive detection methods. As a fully Gas Safe Registered engineer with NVQ Level 3 qualifications, I focus on delivering reliable, professional solutions that minimise disruption and help customers avoid unnecessary damage and repair costs.
“I regularly find hidden leaks without removing tiles or floors—most customers are surprised how quickly we can locate the issue without damage.”
I specialise in boiler breakdowns and central heating systems, I enjoy solving complex faults and making sure systems are running safely and efficiently again, first time.
“In London properties, the most damaging leaks are the ones you can’t see. By the time a damp patch appears on a ceiling, the structural damage can already be significant. Finding it early – without demolition – is what this job is about.”
28+ years experience – London
“On an urgent call, the first thing I do is help the homeowner find and shut off the stopcock while I’m on my way. That one step stops the damage spreading and saves serious money. It only takes 10 minutes on the phone.”
What to expect
Every engineer arrives with a fully stocked van, carries Gas Safe ID you can inspect, and introduces themselves by name before entering your property. They explain what they have found and what the fix involves before starting any work – and they leave your property clean and tidy when they are done.
All engineers carry Gas Safe ID and are DBS checked. You can verify any engineer’s Gas Safe registration independently at gassaferegister.co.uk before work begins.
We charge in half-hour increments from the point of arrival. You pay for the work, not the visit. There is no call-out fee. The first-hour rate covers the engineer’s time including travel and the first hour of investigation. If additional time or parts are required, a fixed price quote is agreed with you before any further work starts. Out-of-hours rates apply for evening and weekend callouts and are detailed on our
rates page.
Single affected area, one visit. A typical bathroom leak in a
semi-detached property takes 2 to 4 hours to locate.
Evening, weekend and bank holiday callouts carry a small out-of-hours uplift, agreed before the engineer travels.
Insurance and Support
In most cases, buildings insurance covers the cost of locating a hidden leak, not just the repair. This is known as trace and access cover. If your policy includes it, your insurer will typically require a formal written report from a specialist before releasing any funds for repair or making-good work.
This report needs to confirm the source of the leak, the method used to find it, the location within the property, and the extent of any damage discovered. Our reports include photographs and are provided within 48 hours of the investigation visit.
We carry out trace and access investigations for homeowners, landlords and managing agents. If you already have a claim reference number, call us with it and we can often arrange a visit the same day.
For more detail on the trace and access process specifically, visit our dedicated Trace and Access page.
Customer reviews
Reviews independently verified via Google. We do not edit or filter customer feedback.
Common signs include a boiler that repeatedly loses pressure, unexplained damp patches on walls or ceilings, the sound of running water when all taps are off, a sudden increase in your water bill, or a musty smell in a particular room. If you notice any of these and your plumber cannot find an obvious cause, it is worth getting a specialist investigation carried out.
We charge in half-hour increments from the point of arrival. The first-hour rate covers the engineer’s time including arrival and the initial investigation. You pay for the work, not the visit. There is no call-out fee. The engineer will confirm the applicable rate before starting, and nothing proceeds without your agreement. For evening, weekend and bank holiday callouts, a small out-of-hours uplift applies – this is agreed with you before the engineer travels. More details on our rates here
Yes. We use non-invasive detection as the starting point on every job. Acoustic detection, thermal imaging, tracer gas and moisture mapping all allow us to identify the source of a leak without opening walls or lifting floors. We only carry out physical access once we know precisely where the leak is, which keeps disruption to a minimum.
Many buildings insurance policies include trace and access cover, which pays for the cost of locating a hidden leak. This is separate from the repair cost, which may or may not be covered depending on your policy. If you have trace and access cover, your insurer will usually require a formal written report from a specialist. We provide these as standard, within 48 hours of the visit.
Trace and access refers to a leak investigation carried out in connection with an insurance claim, where the insurer requires formal documentation of the findings. The practical investigation is largely the same as any leak detection job. The difference is in the paperwork and the reporting standards required. If your insurer has told you that your policy includes trace and access cover, call us with your claim reference and we can often arrange a visit the same day.
It depends on the size of the property, the type of system affected and how concealed the leak is. A straightforward bathroom leak investigation typically takes 2 to 4 hours. A leak affecting a large property with extensive pipe runs can take a full day or longer. We give you a realistic time estimate when you call,
based on what you describe.
Do not make holes in walls or ceilings before an engineer has investigated, as this can complicate an insurance claim. Turn off the water supply if the leak is severe. Photograph the damage including the wet patch and any visible drips. Then call us so we can arrange a same-day visit. We use thermal imaging and moisture mapping to trace the water back to its source, even when it is travelling some distance from the original failure point.
Yes, in most cases. Many specialist leak detection companies locate the problem and leave the repair to someone else. Our engineers carry out both the investigation and the repair work, which means one call, one visit and one invoice. This also speeds up the insurance claim process considerably.
Our plumbers in London operate across all Greater London boroughs and areas within the M25. We have engineers based throughout the city so response times are fast wherever you are.
Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest
Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames
Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington
Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton, Wandsworth
City of London, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster
St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, (London North crossover)
Dartford, Medway, Tonbridge, Canterbury
Guildford, Kingston upon Thames, Redhill
Slough, Reading, Oxford
Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton
Vaillant boilers are reliable but can develop faults, either as a symptom like no hot water, cold radiators or dropping pressure, or as an F-code on the display. This page covers both: the most common Vaillant boiler problems and what causes them, then every Vaillant fault code we cover with a link to its full fix guide. Some clear with a reset or a pressure top-up; others need a Gas Safe engineer.
A boiler leaking water from underneath is almost always caused by one of four problems: the pressure relief valve releasing excess system pressure, a faulty or loose filling loop, a failed expansion vessel, or a pinhole leak in the heat exchanger or internal pipework. Most causes are not safe to fix yourself and need a Gas Safe registered engineer. Switch the boiler off, isolate the water supply if you can reach the isolation valves, and book a callout before any visible damage spreads to the wall, floor or electrics.
A high water bill with no visible leak usually means water is escaping from a buried supply pipe underground. Because it escapes into soil rather than onto a visible surface, there are no internal signs. The 30-minute water meter test below will confirm whether a leak is present.
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Find the source fast, fix it right with no unnecessary damage.
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If you have a leak you cannot locate, rising damp with no obvious source, a boiler that keeps losing pressure, or water coming through a ceiling – call our team now on 02080530369.
Gas Safe Registered | 1-Hour Emergency Response | No Call-Out Fee
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