Is there a leak on your water supply pipe? Have you received a Severn Trent Statutory Notice: Section 75 of the Water Industry Act letter?
You’ll want that dealing with rapidly.
The letter may have come out of the blue and be somewhat alarming but you have come to the right place!
Firstly, don’t panic.
We are Severn Trent and Watermark approved engineers and can offer you specialist water leak detection and repair services.
We can help.
Everything you need.
We will provide you with an insurance approved ‘trace and access’ report that can be forwarded on to your home or business premises insurer.
Depending on your policy, you may be eligible for a refund, meaning that our expert services could be FREE!
Leak Detection
Water leaks can result in a substantial level of damage and deterioration to their surroundings. This is especially true of underground leaks, which may go unnoticed for some time, causing foundations to erode, resulting in flooding and land drainage issues. A 0.5mm leak could lose 20 litres of water every hour, causing considerable destruction to your property.
If you have a leak on your supply pipe or shared supply pipe, we’re here to help you avoid costly Section 75 charges. Severn Trent require you to fix the leak on your water supply pipe line within 7 days. If you fail to do so, it will result in them carrying out the work themselves, leaving you with a costly bill!
As a Severn Trent and Watermark approved contractor we can detect and repair all types of water leaks underground. It doesn’t matter if they’re buried beneath soil, paving or a concrete slab. Unlike most indoor plumbing leaks, where there are usually visual signs of water damage to your home, an underground water leak may not be immediately obvious. An unexplained high water bill is usually the first indication of a problem. If a leak is especially bad, an obvious drop in mains water pressure might also be noticed.
TRACE- ACCESS- REPAIR-REINSTATE-REPORT
Tracing
The source of the leak is not always obvious but using specialist underground water pipe leak detection methods we'll diagnose the issue rapidly and save on unnecessary digging. This means it can be started immediately and isn’t disruptive, saving time and money. Once located, digging to expose the leak for visual confirmation and repair can take place. We operate using a series of the most cutting-edge equipment which includes;
Tracer gas - Pipes are filled with a non-harmful, inert gas mix. A probe is used to detect the presence of this gas. When the gas escapes from the leak the probe sounds an alert as soon as it’s detected. The gas is lighter than air and is able to penetrate soil, most floor coverings, and even concrete slabs. The gas doesn’t leave a residue. It’s completely safe to use on drinking water supply pipes. This test is useful for detecting underground water leaks either when acoustic equipment can’t be used, or when further confirmation on the location of a leak is needed.
Acoustic testing - Water that’s under pressure creates tiny vibrations when it escapes from a leak. Highly sensitive acoustic equipment is used to detect these vibrations. A microphone is placed on the ground and the vibrations are amplified as sound. The microphone is placed in different positions along the survey line. Changes in the sounds detected allow our experts to pinpoint the location of the underground leak. The technology works on small or large leaks. It can be used to detect underground water leaks in pipes made from any material. It’s so sensitive that a tiny leak buried several feet beneath a concrete floor can be detected.
Accessing and Repairing
Once the leak has been found, we can dig it up and get it fixed on the same day – minimising the stress for you. Our aim is to leave you safe in the knowledge that the leak is fixed, with the smallest disruption caused. Our operatives are very careful when excavating ground to make sure no damage is caused to other underground assets and the surrounding surfaces and structures.
Reinstating
We put all ground back like for like with any waste being removed from site and responsibly disposed of. We pride ourselves on a professional finish, ensuring that our careful reconstruction work brings your property back to its pre-incident condition.
Reporting
There’s a good chance your home insurance will cover the cost of finding and fixing a leak. While it’s not a guarantee, most policies include cover for “trace and access” as part of their agreement. If this is the case, you’ll be able to claim back the costs you’ve spent on leak detection. Our engineer will provide you with an insurance approved ‘trace and access’ report; that can be forwarded on to your home or business premises insurer at your request.