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02080530369
Call For Booking

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02080530369
02080530369

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ENGINEERS AVAILABLE NOW

Acoustic Leak Detection
in London

A damp patch with no obvious source. A pipe buried under a kitchen floor that nobody wants to lift. A joint inside a wall that has been weeping for months. In most cases the water is audible to the right equipment long before it becomes visible.

At 0800 Homefix, our engineers use professional acoustic listening equipment to follow the signal from escaping water through concrete, screed, masonry and timber to its exact source. We find it. We fix it.

Gas Safe Registered
1-Hour Emergency Response
No Call-Out Fee
12-Month Guarantee
Fully Insured
02080530369
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No call-out fee · Fixed pricing before we start · 7 days a week including bank holidays

Get a Free Quote

1hr

Emergency response time

95%

First-visit fix rate

12

Month Guarantee 

No Damage

No Floors Lifted

Gas Safe Registered

Every engineer verified

APHC Members

Trade body accredited

Public Liability Insurance

Your property protected

WaterSafe Approved

Qualified for mains water

NVQ Level 2 & 3

Formally qualified engineers

London’s Trusted Plumbers

Why London Trusts 0800 Homefix
for Acoustic Leak Detection

We have been finding hidden water leaks in London and the South East for years. Acoustic detection is the method we use most on jobs where the source is not visible.

The most common call we receive about a hidden water leak starts the same way: there is a damp patch somewhere in the property, the surface above it has been checked and nothing was found, and now someone needs to know what to do next.

Acoustic detection is the right starting point for this kind of job. We place listening sensors on the surface – the floor, the wall, the ceiling – above the suspected pipe run. The equipment amplifies the signal from the escaping water and we move systematically across the area. When the signal strengthens, we are getting closer. When it peaks, we are directly above the leak.

This approach requires no damage to the property during the detection stage. No access, no drilling, no lifted tiles. Once we have confirmed the location to within a small area, we discuss the recommended access point with you and agree a cost before any physical work starts.

  • For years locating hidden leaks in London properties
  • Gas Safe registered engineers with specialist acoustic equipment
  • We find the leak and fix it - one call, one visit, one invoice in most cases
  • Written reports accepted by all major UK insurers
  • Call 02080530369 - same-day visits available
  • 1hr Emergency Response
02080530369
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What to expect

We Have Been Fixing London Plumbing Problems for years

For the full range of leak detection methods we use alongside acoustic detection, see our Water Leak Detection and Repair service page.

  • 1hr Emergency Response
  • Gas Safe registered engineers
  • No call-out fee
  • Fixed quote before any work starts
  • 12-month labour guarantee on every repair
  • 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year including bank holidays
  • 9.17/10 based on 4301 reviews
Precision Detection

What Sets Our
Acoustic Leak Detection Apart

There are several companies in London offering acoustic surveys. Here is what makes a practical difference when you are dealing with a real hidden leak.

01

We Find It and Fix It

Most acoustic detection specialists locate the problem and leave. Our engineers carry out both the investigation and the repair in the same visit in most cases. One call, one visit, one invoice.

02

Professional-Grade Equipment

We use professional acoustic amplification and correlation equipment, not entry-level listening devices. The sensitivity of our equipment allows us to detect leak signals through thick concrete and multiple layers of screed.

03

Combined Detection Methods

Acoustic detection is our starting point for pressurised pipe leaks. Where the acoustic signal narrows the search area, we confirm with moisture meters and pressure testing before recommending any access. No guesswork.

04

Insurance-Ready Reports Included

Every acoustic investigation includes a written report with our findings, the location of the signal peak, the detection method used and our recommended repair approach. Delivered within 48 hours and accepted by the major UK insurers.

05

Specialists in London Property

London properties present specific acoustic challenges. Solid concrete floors, Victorian suspended timber, thick party walls and basement slab constructions all behave differently. We understand how sound travels in each and we adjust our approach accordingly.

06

Non-Invasive as Standard

We do not lift a single floor tile or drill a single hole until the acoustic evidence and follow-up testing have confirmed the exact location of the leak. Property protection is built into the process.

The people behind the service

Meet a Few Of Our Plumbing & Heating Engineers

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.

Neill Young

Leak Detection Specialist

8+ years experience · North, East & West London

APHC Member
WaterSafe Approved

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.”

James Emmerson

Plumbing & Heating Engineer

13+ years experience – London
Gas Safe Registered
NVQ Level 3 Plumbing & Heating
G3 Certified

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.”

Oliver White

Senior Plumbing & Heating Engineer

28+ years experience – London

Gas Safe Registered
NVQ Level 3 Plumbing & Drainage
NVQ Level 3 Gas Maintenance & Breakdown
With over 28 years in the trade, including more than 20 at British Gas, I focus on diagnosing the root cause of issues quickly, from boiler faults to hidden leaks – so customers get a proper, long-term fix without unnecessary work.

“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

What every 0800 Homefix plumber brings to your door

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.

  • Gas Safe ID carried and shown on request before any gas work
  • Fixed quote agreed before any work begins - no surprises
  • Fault diagnosed and explained in plain language
  • Shoe covers worn and workspace left clean and tidy
  • Written confirmation of 12-month workmanship guarantee on completion
  • Gas Safe documentation provided after every gas job, automatically

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.

Responsibilities

How Acoustic Leak Detection Works

Water escaping under pressure creates a distinct noise. Acoustic equipment detects that noise through solid building materials before any surface is opened.

The Physics Behind the Method

The suspected area of pipework is identified first, using the reported symptoms and the layout of the property to narrow down the likely pipe run. An acoustic sensor is placed on the surface above it, either the floor, the wall or the ceiling, depending on where the pipe is thought to run. The equipment amplifies any sound present at that point well beyond what the human ear can detect.

The engineer then moves the sensor systematically across the suspected area in a grid pattern, pausing at each point to compare the signal strength. Background noise from traffic, other plumbing or nearby appliances is filtered out as far as possible, since it can mask a genuine leak signal, particularly a slow or intermittent one.

As the sensor approaches the failure point, the signal strengthens steadily rather than jumping suddenly. The point where it reaches its peak, not simply where it sounds loudest overall, marks the location directly above the leak. This is recorded and, where the acoustic signal alone is not conclusive, confirmed with a second method before any access point is agreed.

What Acoustic Detection Is Particularly Good For

  • Cold and hot water supply pipes under solid floors and inside walls, where the pressure differential at the failure point creates a clear signal
  • Copper pipe joints that have failed due to age or movement, where the escaping water produces a consistent, locatable noise
  • Pressurised central heating circuits where the system is running and maintaining working pressure
  • Underground supply pipes between the meter and the property, where ground microphones can track the signal to within a few centimetres
  • Slow leaks from pinhole corrosion that have been running long enough to create a consistent signal

Ground Microphones vs Pipe Microphones

Ground microphones are used on solid surfaces – concrete floors, screed, tiled finishes. They pick up vibration transmitted through the floor structure. Pipe microphones are used when access to the pipe itself is available, for example at a stopcock or service valve. They pick up the sound conducted through the pipe wall directly and provide a much stronger signal.

On most domestic residential jobs we use both in combination – ground microphones to narrow the area, pipe microphones at access points to confirm the signal direction. This combination gives us a result with greater confidence than either method alone.

Where Other Methods Are Used Alongside

Acoustic detection works best on pressurised systems where the leak creates a consistent noise. For very slow leaks, gravity-fed systems or leaks in non-pressurised situations, the acoustic signal can be weak or absent. In these cases we use thermal imaging to identify temperature anomalies caused by moisture, or moisture mapping to trace the spread of water back to the source.

We decide on the appropriate combination of methods when we arrive and assess the situation. We do not commit to a single method before understanding the specific conditions of the job.

WHERE WE USE IT

Where We Use Acoustic Leak Detection

Acoustic detection is effective across all residential and commercial building types. Here is how we use it across the most common situations we encounter in London.

Why Is It Important to Use Gas Safe Registered Engineers for Boiler Repairs

Victorian and Edwardian Terraces

Pre-1920s London properties present a specific acoustic challenge. Original pipework in these buildings often runs through solid brick walls, under suspended timber floors or buried in Victorian concrete. Acoustic detection is particularly effective in these properties because the dense materials conduct sound well, and the original copper and lead pipe joints are common failure points with a consistent acoustic signature.

Underfloor Heating Circuits

Underfloor heating pipes buried in screed produce a clear acoustic signal when they fail under pressure. Acoustic detection allows us to identify the zone of the failure before any screed is removed. We combine this with pressure testing on individual circuits via the manifold to confirm which specific loop is affected.

Modern Flats and Apartment Buildings

In leasehold buildings, identifying which flat a leak originates from is often the first question to answer. Acoustic scanning of ceilings and walls showing damp can establish the direction of the signal and point to the source, which is essential when the leak may be in a neighbouring flat or a shared service riser.

Water Mains and Supply Pipes

External supply pipes from the meter to the property that develop a leak are among the most damaging failures because the water runs under the property foundation before it becomes visible. Ground microphones can track the acoustic signal across the garden or pathway to pinpoint the failure within a small excavation area.

Central Heating Systems

A central heating system losing pressure without a visible wet patch is one of the clearest indications of a pipe leak that acoustic equipment can locate. With the system running and maintaining working pressure, we scan the floor and wall surfaces above the pipe runs for the acoustic signal from the failure point. We find these leaks regularly without lifting a single floorboard.

Commercial and Managed Buildings

For restaurants, offices and managed residential buildings, acoustic detection provides a rapid non-destructive first assessment. Large floor areas and pipe runs through multiple zones can be surveyed quickly, giving building managers a defined area to work with before any decisions are made about access.

Our rates

Straightforward Pricing. No Surprises.

We quote before we start. When we arrive, the engineer assesses the job and confirms the cost before any work begins.

No call-out fee

We do not charge a call-out fee. You pay for the first hour of labour, which covers the engineer’s arrival and a general assessment of the issue. If the investigation requires specialist detection methods or additional time, a fixed price quote is provided before any further work begins.

Insurance Report Included

Our written acoustic leak detection report, including the signal mapping findings, detection method used and recommended repair approach, is provided as part of every survey at no extra cost. Accepted by the major UK insurers for trace and access claims. Delivered within 48 hours.

Out-of-Hours Visits

A small uplift applies for evening, weekend and bank holiday visits. This is always confirmed before the engineer travels and detailed in full on our rates page.

View Our Full Rate Card

Our full pricing details including the first-hour rate and out-of-hours uplift are on our rates page. View our rates before you call so you know exactly what to expect.

Want to see our full rate card?

Hourly rates, emergency callout charges, and out-of-hours uplifts, all published clearly before you book.

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Insurance

Acoustic Leak Detection Reports for Insurance Claims

If you are making a buildings insurance claim for a hidden water leak, your insurer will typically require a formal written report. Our acoustic detection reports meet this requirement.

Each report includes the area surveyed, the acoustic detection method and equipment used, a description of the signal mapping findings, the identified location of the peak signal and the conclusion about the source of the leak. Where the acoustic investigation is part of a full trace and access process, the report includes the confirmation from follow-up methods such as moisture mapping or pressure testing.

Reports are delivered within 48 hours of the survey. We carry out acoustic leak detection investigations for homeowners, landlords, managing agents and solicitors across London where documentary evidence of a hidden leak is required. For full trace and access documentation, see our Trace and Access service page.

Customer reviews

What Our Customers Say

Good

4.4 | 77 reviews

Review us on Google

Reviews independently verified via Google. We do not edit or filter customer feedback.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions
About Our Acoustic Leak Detection Service

Answers to the questions we are most commonly asked about how acoustic detection works and what to expect from our service.

What is acoustic leak detection and how does it work?

Acoustic leak detection uses sensitive listening equipment to detect the sound created when water escapes from a pressurised pipe. The escaping water produces a high-frequency noise that travels as vibration through the surrounding building material. Our engineers place acoustic sensors on the floor, wall or ceiling surface above the suspected pipe run and move systematically across the area. The signal strengthens as we approach the failure point. When the signal peaks, we are directly above the leak. This process identifies the location without opening any surfaces during the detection stage.

Will your engineers damage my property during the acoustic survey?

No. The acoustic survey is entirely non-invasive. The sensors are placed against the surface without any contact damage. No holes are drilled, no tiles are lifted and no walls are opened during the survey itself. If the survey identifies a leak that requires repair access, we discuss the recommended access point with you and confirm the cost before any physical work begins.

How accurate is acoustic detection for finding a water leak?

On pressurised systems with an active leak, acoustic detection using professional-grade equipment is typically accurate to within 300 to 500mm on solid floor constructions, and within 150 to 200mm on suspended timber floors where the signal travels more clearly. This level of accuracy means access work, when it is needed, is targeted to a small area rather than an exploratory investigation across a larger section.

Do you charge a call-out fee for acoustic leak detection?

No. We do not charge a call-out fee. You pay for the first hour of labour, which covers the engineer’s arrival, the acoustic survey, diagnosis and the job. If the repair requires additional time or materials beyond the first hour, we provide a fixed price quote before any further work begins. Full details are on our rates page.

How long does an acoustic leak detection survey take?

A standard acoustic survey for a single affected area in a residential property typically takes between one and two hours. This includes the survey itself and the follow-up confirmation with moisture meters or pressure testing. Larger properties or surveys covering multiple rooms take longer. The engineer will give you a realistic estimate when you call based on what you describe.

Will you provide a written report for my insurance claim?

Yes. Every acoustic leak detection survey includes a written report with the area surveyed, the method and equipment used, the signal mapping findings, the identified leak location and our conclusion. This report is accepted by the major UK insurers for trace and access claims and is delivered within 48 hours of the survey.

Does acoustic detection work on all types of pipe?

Acoustic detection is most effective on pressurised pipe systems where the escaping water creates a consistent signal. It works well on copper, steel, plastic and lead supply pipes, central heating pipework and underfloor heating circuits. It is less effective on gravity-fed drainage pipes where there is no pressure differential. For non-pressurised systems, thermal imaging or moisture mapping is usually the better starting point.

Do you carry out the repair as well as the acoustic survey?

Yes. Our engineers carry out both the investigation and the repair in the same visit in most cases. Once the acoustic survey and follow-up testing have confirmed the location of the fault, a fixed price for the repair is agreed with you before any access work starts. After the repair, a pressure test confirms the fault has been resolved before we leave. One call, one visit, one invoice.

Coverage

Complete London Coverage

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.

East London

E, IG, RM postcodes

Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest

West London

W, UB, TW postcodes

Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames

North London

N, NW, EN postcodes

Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington

South London

SE, SW postcodes

Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton, Wandsworth

Central London

WC, EC postcodes

City of London, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster

South East England & Other

Home Counties / North London Fringe

AL, HP, SG, EN 

St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage, (London North crossover)

Kent

DA, ME, TN, CT    

Dartford, Medway, Tonbridge, Canterbury

Surrey

GU, KT, RH 

Guildford, Kingston upon Thames, Redhill

Thames Valley

SL, RG, OX

Slough, Reading, Oxford

South Coast

BN, PO, SO

Brighton, Portsmouth, Southampton

Need to check if we cover your specific postcode?

Speak to our team who can confirm engineer availability. If you are in London (within the M25) or the home counties the short answer will likely be yes.
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From the 0800 Homefix blog

Guides and Advice

Our engineers write practical guides based on the plumbing issues they see most often across London properties. Whether you are dealing with a suspected leak, facing an insurance claim, or trying to understand what a repair involves before you call, these articles will help.
Top 10 Signs of a Hidden Water Leak in Your Home
April 28, 2026

The ten most common signs of a hidden water leak are an unexplained rise in your water bill, a sudden drop in water pressure, damp patches on walls or ceilings, peeling paint, a persistent musty smell, unexpected mould, the sound of running water when nothing is in use, warm floor spots, foundation cracks, and a water meter that keeps moving when all taps and appliances are off. Any one of these signs warrants urgent investigation by a professional plumber or leak detection specialist.

Read More
Can a Leaking Boiler Be Repaired_ Causes and Solutions Explained
What Equipment Do Plumbers Use to Detect Water Leaks Effectively?
June 6, 2025

Plumbers use a range of specialist equipment to detect water leaks accurately and non-invasively. The main tools include acoustic sensors and ground microphones to listen for escaping water, thermal imaging cameras to detect temperature anomalies caused by moisture, tracer gas to locate leaks in buried pipes, moisture meters to measure dampness levels, and pressure testing equipment to confirm pipe failure. Combining multiple methods ensures precise leak identification before any invasive repair work begins, minimising unnecessary damage to walls, floors, or ceilings.

Read More
How Tracer Gas Leak Detection Can Save You Time and Money
How Tracer Gas Leak Detection Can Save You Time and Money
June 13, 2024

Tracer gas leak detection uses a safe, non-combustible blend of hydrogen and nitrogen injected into a water pipe system to identify the precise location of a hidden leak. As the gas mixture escapes through the leak point, specialist equipment detects it at the surface, pinpointing the fault accurately. This method is non-invasive, highly accurate, and avoids unnecessary excavation or property damage. It is particularly effective for locating leaks in underground supply pipes, underfloor heating, and central heating systems, saving both time and repair costs.

Read More

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Get in Touch

Suspected Hidden Water Leak? Book an Acoustic Survey Today.

If you have a damp patch with no obvious source, a boiler losing pressure or the sound of running water when all taps are off, call us. Our acoustic detection engineers cover all London boroughs and carry out surveys 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year.

Gas Safe Registered | 1-Hour Emergency Response | No Call-Out Fee 

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