A hidden leak can run for weeks before anyone sees it, because pipes often sit behind walls. Damp patches, stained ceilings and the sound of running water are common clues. This page shows a simple meter test and explains when to call a plumber.
We cover Colchester and nearby towns such as Braintree and Halstead. However, the test below works in any home with a water meter, so you can start today.
The meter test for a hidden leak
Essex & Suffolk Water suggests a two-part test, since it separates your pipes from the company's. First, turn off every tap and appliance, and leave the internal stop tap open. Take a meter reading, wait one to two hours or overnight, then read the meter again.
A higher reading with no water used suggests a leak. For part two, repeat the test with the internal stop tap closed. This separates your pipework from the pipe between the meter and your stop tap, because a closed stop tap isolates your side.
What the results mean
If the reading rises after part one only, the leak is probably on your private pipework. That is the owner's job to fix, so find a plumber, because the water company will not repair it. Anglian Water says a confirmed leak on the private supply pipe should be repaired within 30 days.
If the reading rises after both parts, contact your water company, because the fault may sit on its side. It fixes leaks on its own pipes. In addition, fixing a private leak within 30 days may qualify you for a leak allowance, so ask the company about it.
Check the toilet first
A leaking toilet is the commonest hidden leak. Essex & Suffolk Water says it could waste up to 215 litres of water every day. Because the water runs quietly down the pan, you may not notice it.
Listen for a cistern that refills when nobody has flushed, because that points to a leak into the pan. A plumber can replace a worn valve or seal. Our plumbing repairs page covers this work.
What a plumber does
A plumber narrows the leak down by isolating sections of pipework and checking each one. Then the plumber repairs or replaces the faulty part. Finally, the plumber tests the supply again, because the meter should then stay still.
If you suspect a drain rather than a water pipe, a CCTV drain survey looks inside the pipe, while the meter test checks the clean water side. Request a quote online and describe what you have seen; the plumber will discuss the job with you. You can also read about burst pipe repair if the leak is sudden.
Leak Detection — frequently asked questions
How do I check for a hidden leak?
Turn off all taps and appliances, take a meter reading, wait one to two hours or overnight, and read the meter again. A higher reading with no water used suggests a leak, because nothing else is drawing water.
How much water can a leaking toilet waste?
Essex & Suffolk Water says a leaking toilet could waste up to 215 litres of water every day. Because the water runs quietly, many owners miss the problem for weeks.
Who fixes a leak on the pipe outside my property?
Your water company fixes leaks on its own pipes, including those in the street. However, leaks on your private supply pipe and inside your home are the owner's to repair.
Can you find a leak under a floor?
A plumber can narrow it down by testing sections of pipework. Tell us what you see, such as damp patches or a meter that keeps moving, when you request a quote. That helps because it shows where to start.