If you’ve noticed wet spots, mould build-up or an unexplained increase in your water bills, then you may be suffering from a leak. This can be a disconcerting experience, where leaks can cause widespread damage in a domestic or commercial property. Walls, ceilings and carpets can all be disrupted by a leak, whilst persistent damp can cause irreparable damage to your possessions.
When you experience a leak, regardless of whether it is big or small, it is recommended that you contact your insurance provider. This will allow you to receive financial assistance to repair your property and replace any unsalvageable items. But this needs to be done in the right way, where insurance companies require comprehensive evidence before paying out for a leak claim.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to making a successful leak claim, with a look at the range of leaks you could be experiencing and the procedures you should follow to secure a payment.
Common Leak Types: From Bath Leaks To Faulty Appliances
Leaks can have a wide range of different sources in a domestic setting, where this could be a plumbing problem or a weather-proofing issue. Some examples may include:
Bathroom leaks - lots of plumbing issues can cause a leak in the bathroom, including problems with sink piping, toilets, showers and baths
Ceiling leaks - problems with your roof can cause rain to enter the building and leak through the ceiling, where this can result in high risk structural damage
Faulty appliances - appliances that use water to run such as dishwashers and washing machines are liable to leaks, which can damage flooring and cause ceilings to sag
Wall leaks - plumbing or piping that runs through interior walls can cause leaks to bleed through your wallpaper, especially if there is a crack or burst in your pipes
Outdoor accessories - outdoor pools, hot tubs and hoses can all be compromised by leaks, which can spread to your property or cause drainage issues in your garden
Central heating problems - a drop in boiler pressure can be caused by leaks in your home heating system, which can result in energy bill increases
These leak issues can also arise in commercial properties, where these large buildings can experience further problems with industrial scale equipment. Some additional leak problems that businesses may experience include:
Shared toilet leaks - stacked plumbing systems in multi-storey buildings can make toilet and sink leaks more likely, where these can occur across several floors at once
Sprinkler system leaks - fire prevention systems such as sprinklers require regular maintenance, where neglecting their upkeep can lead to expensive leak problems
HVAC problems - businesses typically utilise large heating, ventilation and air conditioning units which are vulnerable to leaking, especially if the model is outdated
Vacancy risks - if a building is left empty over holidays or during periods of disuse then it becomes more difficult to catch leaks before they develop into a larger issue
Making A Claim
If you’re experiencing a household or commercial leak, then you need to go about contacting your insurance provider in the right way, where your claim may be refused if it is not supported by convincing evidence and professional reports. The following steps will help you to submit a thorough claim and secure a full payout:
Prevent Further Damage
Your insurance provider will expect you to do your best to prevent further damage from a leak. This can be done by switching off your internal valve or stockcock to halt the flow of water, where you can then run your taps to drain out the remaining water. Valuable items and furnishings should be covered or moved to prevent water damage. It is also recommended to switch off your electrics if the leak is particularly severe.
Evidence
One of the most important steps you will need to take is making sure you have plenty of visual evidence to send to your insurance provider. This can include photos and videos of the leak, including both the source and the resulting damage. Before and after photos are useful to show how the leak has developed overtime, whilst additional pictures of damaged household items can help you to claim contents insurance.
Hire A Leak Detector
A leak detection service will help you to locate the source of the leak, where these companies can provide a detailed report which can be used to support your claim. A detection service will use non-invasive techniques to find the leak without causing any further damage, where techniques include moisture testing, thermal imaging and dye tests. If a pipe has burst, then you can also source a plumber’s report to further evidence your claim.
It is recommended that you do not try to find the source of the leak yourself, where the actual problem may be situated a distance away from the leak symptoms. A fruitless leak hunt can cause further damage to your property that your insurance provider may be reluctant to cover.
Contact Your Insurer
Once you have followed the above steps, it is time to get in contact with your insurance provider. This can be done online or over the phone, where you will usually need your policy number on hand, as well as a list of damages. Their team will then let you know how you can submit your evidence and begin the claims process.
Loss Adjusters
Once you have contacted your insurance provider, you may be scheduled to meet with a loss adjuster, an impartial third party who will assess the property for damage. This tends to occur if the claim is particularly serious or complex. The loss adjuster will then send a comprehensive report detailing their findings to the insurance company for review.
Reinstatement Quotes
Reinstatement work refers to the repairs and renovations that will take place once your claim has been processed. This may involve hiring tradespeople who will be funded by your insurer. The insurance company may suggest companies that they would like you to work with for your repairs, but ultimately you are allowed to select your own team if you wish.
Key Symptoms Of A Concealed Leak
If you do have a leak, then you might not know about it until the damage escalates and becomes visible. But there are several key indicators that a leak is in progress that you may spot early on, where these can include:
- A sudden unexplained increase in your water bills
- Strange sounds coming from your heating or plumbing system
- An increase in mould and mildew throughout your property
- Gradual sagging of your ceiling
- Stains that keep reappearing near your pipework
- Recurring wet spots or dampness
- A pervasive smell of damp or decaying materials
Leak Tracers Direct: Detecting Shower Leaks, Central Heating Issues & Much More
At Leak Tracers Direct, we provide expert leak detecting services, where our leak finders utilise the latest non-invasive detection technologies to get to the source of the problem. Our methods include:
Gas trace leak tracing - a harmless gas is fed through your pipes where it will escape at the point of the leak
Acoustic leak tracing - microphones can be used to listen for significant water leaks
Thermal imaging cameras - used to detect temperature changes below the surface that may indicate a leak
Endoscopic leak tracing - a small camera and extension lead used to view leaks in confined spaces
Dye test leak tracing - dye introduced to the pipework to trace the source, often only used as a last resort
Our services include domestic and commercial leak detection, where in addition to common domestic leaks, we’re also equipped to handle central heating problems and mains water leaks.
We can take the hassle out of your insurance claim by locating your leak without causing further property damage. Our team will work to prevent more leak damage whilst producing a detailed survey for your insurance provider, where we can also arrange for any necessary repair work to be carried out.
Our experts handle leak tracing throughout London and surrounding areas, where our phone lines are fully operational 24 hours a day. Alternatively you can contact us now using our handy online form.