Acoustic leak detection
For outdoor leaks under tarmac, driveways and earth, our acoustic equipment listens for the sound of escaping water and can locate a leak up to 3 metres below ground.
Price guidefrom £650ex VAT
What we do
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- Underground and mains water leaks
- Driveways, tarmac and gardens
- Locates leaks up to 3 m deep
- No digging to find the leak
Acoustic leak detection in London
Water escaping under pressure makes a distinct sound. Our ground microphones and sensors pick it up through soil, concrete and tarmac, and we triangulate the exact position so any excavation is kept to a minimum.
Listening for water escaping under pressure
Acoustic detection listens for the vibration or noise made when pressurised water escapes from a pipe. A sensor may be placed on an accessible fitting or the ground above a suspected run. Comparing signals at several points can help narrow an area, especially on a supply pipe outside or below a floor. It does not work by hearing every drip through every material.
The strength of the sound depends on pressure, the size and type of fault, pipe material, depth and what surrounds the pipe. A quiet, intermittent or unpressurised leak may provide little signal. We consider whether the suspected pipe is live and which valves or fittings can be reached before judging whether an acoustic test is worthwhile.
Outdoor mains and buried pipe runs
A rising meter reading with all outlets off, persistent damp ground or an unexplained loss of pressure can suggest a supply-pipe problem. On a suitable pressurised run, listening at accessible points and along the likely route may identify an area for closer investigation before excavation is considered.
A driveway, paved surface or garden does not always provide a clear listening path. Soil, concrete, pipe joints and nearby services affect how sound travels. The loudest point at the surface is not necessarily directly over the damaged section, so findings are assessed against the known pipe route and any other tests.
Noise, access and the limits of the result
Traffic, pumps, machinery and water use in neighbouring premises can mask a faint leak. A quieter period may improve the test, but we cannot control every site condition. Isolating relevant outlets, where safe and practical, can help distinguish ordinary flow from a suspected leak.
If we cannot reach the pipe or fittings, or the system cannot be tested under suitable pressure, an acoustic reading may not be conclusive. We will explain whether further investigation, a different detection method or targeted access makes sense. We do not assign a fixed detection depth or promise a precise dig point for every property.
Before digging or arranging a repair
We review the observed signal with the suspected pipe layout, accessible meter or valve information and the visible signs of water loss. Where the evidence is strong enough, we can indicate a likely area and discuss the access needed to verify the fault. A repair quote depends on the surface, pipe location and work required.
Send the approximate location of the stopcock and meter, any plans showing the supply route, and photographs of damp ground or affected paving. Tell us about constant background noise or shared water services. An acoustic survey aims to avoid blind excavation, but confirming a concealed fault may still involve opening the surface.
Acoustic leak detection prices
Prices exclude VAT.
Domestic Leak Detection Survey
£650
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Frequently asked questions
Do you dig up the drive?
Not to find the leak. Once located, we mark the spot and quote for the repair, keeping any excavation as small as possible.
Can you listen for a leak beneath a driveway?
On a suitable pressurised pipe, acoustic testing may help narrow the area. Surfacing, pipe route and noise affect how clearly the signal can be interpreted.
Will you have to dig to test it?
Listening tests can often start without digging. Confirming and repairing a buried pipe may still require targeted excavation, discussed separately.
Does traffic noise affect the survey?
Yes. Traffic, pumps and other site noise can mask a faint leak signal. We assess conditions and may recommend another approach if readings are unreliable.
Can acoustic equipment find any leak at a set depth?
No fixed depth applies to every site. Pressure, pipe material, ground conditions and leak size all influence whether sound reaches a useful listening point.
What if the pipe is not under pressure?
There may be no useful escaping-water sound. Tell us how the system operates so we can consider another test or inspection method.
Areas we cover
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