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LEAK DETECTION, NORTHERN IRELAND

Leak Detection Services in Northern Ireland

Damp patch spreading? Boiler losing pressure?

One call to PCLA books a non-invasive leak detection survey with a vetted specialist, and if the leak has caused damage, we can manage your insurance claim from start to settlement.

Call 028 9581 5318
Get a Free Leak Detection Quote

270+ five-star Google reviews   ·   FCA authorised (FRN 933781)   ·   We cover all of Northern Ireland based   ·   Non-destructive methods

ACCURATE, NON-INVASIVE DETECTION

Hidden Water Leaks Found Accurately, Without Tearing Up Your Home

Most hidden leaks sit behind walls, under floors or beneath concrete, and guesswork means ripped-up tiles and broken plaster. The leak detection specialists we work with use non-invasive technology such as thermal imaging, acoustic detection and tracer gas to locate the source of the leak accurately, usually without any damage to your property.

PCLA is not a plumbing firm. We are FCA-authorised loss assessors. When you call us, we arrange your leak detection survey with a trusted, vetted specialist, make sure you have a clear quote before any work starts, and, if the leak has caused water damage, we can manage the insurance claim that helps you recover your costs.
One call, one point of contact, no juggling contractors and insurers on your own.

THE PROCESS

How It Works: From First Call to Confirmed Leak in 3 Steps

1

Call Us or Complete the Form

Tell us what you are seeing: damp patches, pressure loss, unexplained water. If a survey is the right next step, we book a vetted specialist. You receive a quote before anything is agreed.

2

Non-Invasive Survey

The specialist attends with thermal imaging, acoustic detection, tracer gas, pressure testing or moisture mapping, to find the source with minimal disruption.
3

Written Report, Then Repair and Recovery

You receive clear findings documenting the leak’s location and extent. If damage is found, PCLA can manage your claim on a no win, no fee basis.
KNOW THE SIGNS

Warning Signs You Have a Hidden Water Leak

Small leaks rarely stay small. Left alone, they can lead to mould, rotten joists and structural damage, and the longer a leak runs, the larger the eventual repair and the harder the insurance conversation. Call us if you notice:
⚠  Damp patches or staining on walls and ceilings
⚠  Your boiler or central heating losing pressure
⚠  Mould, mildew or persistent condensation
⚠  Warped wooden floors or lifting, cracked tiles
⚠  The sound of running water when everything is off
⚠  Hot water taps running cold
⚠  An unexplained jump in your water bill
Any one of these can indicate hidden water leaks in your pipework, heating system or mains supply. A survey gives you certainty either way.
THE EQUIPMENT

Non-Invasive Leak Detection Technology

The specialists we work with select the detection method to match the suspected leak:

Thermal Imaging

Temperature variations reveal hot water and heating leaks behind walls and under floors.

Acoustic Detection

Sensitive microphones pick up the sound of water escaping from pressurised pipes.

Tracer Gas

A harmless gas introduced into the pipework escapes at the leak point and is detected at the surface, effective for underground and mains leaks.

Pressure Testing

Isolates which circuit, hot, cold or heating, is losing water.

Moisture Mapping and Borescope Surveys

Track the spread of hidden water and inspect voids without opening them up.
These non-invasive methods mean the leak is located before anything is opened, so any access work is targeted and minimal, which also matters to your insurer, who expects reasonable, non-destructive methods.
AN HONEST ANSWER

Do You Need a Leak Detection Specialist or a Plumber?

An honest answer, because it is not always a specialist.

A Good Plumber Is the Right Call When

The leak is visible or accessible: a dripping joint under the sink, a failed valve, an overflowing toilet. They can find and fix it in one visit.

A Leak Detection Specialist Earns Their Fee When

  • The leak is hidden behind walls, under floors or underground and its location is unknown
  • Your central heating is losing pressure but no leak is visible
  • You intend to make an insurance claim and need the leak's location and extent professionally documented
  • A plumber has already looked and could not locate the source
  • Opening up finishes on a guess would be expensive
The added value for an insurance claim is the written evidence: insurers respond to a documented survey in a way they do not respond to “the plumber thinks it is somewhere under the hall.”
RECOVERING THE COST

Trace and Access Cover Explained

Trace and access is a feature of most buildings insurance policies in Northern Ireland. It covers the reasonable cost of finding a hidden leak and gaining access to it, separate from the cost of repairing the leak itself or the resulting damage.
USUALLY COVERED UNDER TRACE AND ACCESS
  • The specialist leak detection survey and callout
  • Investigative access work, such as lifting floorboards or opening a wall panel
  • Reinstating the areas disturbed by the search, depending on the policy wording
HANDLED UNDER OTHER SECTIONS
  • Repairing the damaged pipework itself
  • Water damage to your home and contents, which typically falls under the escape of water section
Policies differ, and limits often apply (commonly £5,000 per claim). This is where PCLA earns its keep. As independent loss assessors acting only for you, never the insurer, we review your policy wording, prepare the evidence, and present the claim so that both the detection costs and any water damage are properly accounted for.
£32,817.50
Settlement PCLA secured for a policyholder in one recent escape of water claim in Craigavon.
Many homeowners pay for leak detection and never claim it back, either because the process feels daunting or because they assume it is not worth it. Speak to us before you claim: it costs nothing to find out what your policy may cover, and it can make the difference between absorbing the cost and recovering it.
WHY PCLA

Why Northern Ireland Property Owners Choose PCLA

One Call Does It All

Survey booked, quote confirmed, claim managed. You are not left coordinating contractors, insurers and paperwork on your own.

Vetted Specialists

We only book leak detection engineers we know and trust, with the right equipment for the job.

A Written Quote Before Any Work

You will know the full cost and approve it before anything starts. No surprises.

Regulated and Accountable

PCLA is authorised by the FCA (FRN 933781) for claims management activity, and more than 270 clients have rated us five stars on Google.

We Work for You, Not the Insurer

If damage is found, our loss assessors prepare and negotiate your claim, on a no win, no fee basis.
★★★★★
“They took the time to explain the leak detection process and its benefits, making me feel informed and confident in their services.”
Michael, Belfast
★★★★★
“Their pricing was clear and affordable. Detecting the leak early saved me from a major repair expense later on.”
Emily, Belfast
COVERAGE AREA

Residential and Commercial Leak Detection Across Northern Ireland

From terraced houses in Belfast to farm properties in Fermanagh and commercial premises across the province, we arrange water leak detection for homeowners, landlords and business owners. We cover all of Northern Ireland, including:
FAQS

Leak Detection FAQs

Most surveys we arrange fall between £500 and £750, with a quote for your property before any work starts. The fee is payable on completion of the work, and if the leak has caused damage, it can often be recovered through a trace and access claim, which PCLA can manage for you.

Most buildings policies in Northern Ireland include trace and access cover, which pays the reasonable cost of locating a hidden leak and accessing it. Limits and wording vary by policy. Call us before you claim and we will help you understand what your policy may cover.

A vetted, independent leak detection specialist that PCLA refers your enquiry to.
PCLA itself is a firm of FCA-authorised loss assessors: our role is arranging the right specialist, making sure costs are clear upfront, and managing your insurance claim if damage is found.

Hidden leaks can be genuinely difficult, and no honest firm guarantees a result. What you will always receive is a written report of the investigation and its findings. That documentation has value in itself: it rules locations out, informs the next step, and supports any related insurance claim. Inconclusive first visits are uncommon with modern equipment, and we will discuss the options with you before any further cost is incurred.

The methods used are non-invasive: thermal imaging, acoustic detection and tracer gas locate the leak before anything is opened. If access work is then needed to expose the pipe, it is targeted and minimal, and reinstatement costs may be covered under trace and access depending on your policy.

Usually within 24 to 48 hours, and urgent cases are prioritised. Call 028 9581 5318.

If the leak is visible and accessible, yes. If it is hidden, if your heating is losing pressure with no visible cause, or if you expect to make an insurance claim, a specialist survey with written findings is usually the better first step.

It’s possible for a water leak to go undetected for an extended period of time. Some leaks may be hidden behind walls or under floorboards. Therefore, unless there are any visible signs of damage, you may not notice the damage until it’s too late.

Taking proactive steps to identify and repair any leaks can help prevent costly water damage and help preserve the integrity of your plumbing system. If you notice water stains on walls or ceilings, musty odours, or a loss of pressure you may have a problem.

If you suspect you have a leak, call 028 9581 5318 to arrange your leak detection survey.

There are several common areas in a home where leaks may occur:

  1. Pipe fittings and joints: Pipes are held together with fittings, such as elbows and tees, and sealed with joint compound or thread seal tape. These fittings and joints can loosen over time, leading to leaks.
  2. Water heaters: Water heaters can develop leaks over time, particularly near the bottom of the tank where sediment can accumulate.
  3. Toilets: Toilet tanks and bowls can develop cracks or leaks, which can be difficult to detect until a significant amount of water has been lost.
  4. Taps: Taps are prone to leaks due to wear and tear on the seals and other components.
  5. Showers and baths: These can develop leaks due to wear and tear on the seals or due to improper installation.
  6. Appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers: hoses can become worn or clogged over time, and seals can break, leading to leaks.

With the help of the latest technology, it’s possible to pinpoint where the leak is coming from and estimate how much damage has been done.

Our leak detection specialists use state-of-the-art detection methods to detect these types of hidden leaks in order to save on costly repairs. These methods include:

  • Thermal Imaging
  • Acoustic Detection
  • Moisture Mapping
  • Tracer Gas Detection
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Borescope
SUSPECT A WATER LEAK?

Call Our Northern Ireland Team

The earlier a hidden leak is found, the smaller the damage and the simpler the claim. One call books your survey, confirms your costs in writing, and puts a team on your side if a claim follows.
028 9581 5318