Five subtle signs of a water leakPinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Five Subtle Signs of a Water Leak in your Home

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When we think about water leaks (and we appreciate these might not be the most exciting thoughts!), we often think about the more obvious signs of a water leak. For example, damp patches on the walls, damp flooring, sagging ceilings, or a visible escape of water.  But many water leaks are ‘sneakier’ and don’t produce such obvious symptoms. In this article we look at five less obvious signs of a water leak to watch out for.

A Recurring Drop in Boiler Pressure

Unless there’s a noticeable problem with our heating or hot water, it’s not often that we think to check our boiler pressure. But it’s worth doing from time to time. Whilst recurring drops in boiler or water pressure could be the result of other problems, they are often associated with a central heating leak.

Locating central heating leaks can be tricky as much of the system is hidden away behind walls and underneath floors. But there are non-invasive water leak detection techniques available, for example gas tracing that can accurately pinpoint the source of a central heating leak.

Unusually High-Water Bills

Even relatively small water leaks can have a noticeable effect on your water bill. A leak that drips every second soon adds up to a substantial amount of water. If your water bills have peaked and you’re not sure why, consider turning off all appliances and seeing if your meter continues to tick over. If it does, there’s a fair chance you have a water leak.

Musty Smells and Odours

Over time water causes mould and mildew to form on surfaces, but these surfaces may be hidden away and go unnoticed. Instead, what you may notice is a damp or musty smell in certain rooms. If this persists then it’s well worth further investigation as mould and mildew can pose a health hazard to those within your home.

Warped Wallpaper

Whilst our finely decorated walls won’t look brand new forever, localised warping of wallpaper or discolouration of paint can indicate damp in the underlying wall. This could be a sign of a substantial water leak as it means that water has been absorbed by the wall to the point of saturation and is now spreading to the layer above. Again, there are non-invasive detection methods, such as thermal imaging that can quickly and accurately locate the source of such water leaks.

Unusual Noises

When our central heating, appliances or bathrooms are in use then we might expect a little noise from our water systems. But strange, unexpected noises, particularly when your system isn’t in use are a cause for concern. This can be a sign of corroded pipes or fittings that aren’t secure. It’s best to investigate these quickly as you might be able to catch them before major damage is done.

Our Best Advice

Act quickly! It’s obviously tempting to postpone investigating a potential water leak, particularly if you can’t see any obvious symptoms. But just because the symptoms aren’t obvious, does not mean the water leak is not there. Water leaks (particularly hidden ones) can cause a lot more damage than you might assume, and this can happen quickly. If you do have a water leak and subsequently make an insurance claim, then you will need to demonstrate that you acted quickly to avoid your claim being queried or refused.

Related reading:

We hope that you have found this article useful. Be sure to take a look at the related articles below, which go into a little more depth around key topics:

   

   

Trace and Access vs Escape of WaterPinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

‘Trace and Access’ versus ‘Escape of Water’ – What’s The Difference?

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Two terms that are often heard when discussing water damage are ‘Trace and Access’ and ‘Escape of Water’. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably, implying there is little difference between them. However, this is not the case and it’s important to realise that they represent different stages and parts of a water damage insurance claim.

So, what’s Trace and Access?

Some water leaks are easy to spot. It’s obvious where they originate and reaching them is easy. For example, a leaking tap is relatively easy to spot and straightforward to reach. However, what happens when you suspect a water leak but the source is not obvious? Perhaps it could be located behind a wall, underneath a floor, within a ceiling or inside your central heating system. If you can’t be sure of the source, then reaching it (so it can be repaired) it is going to be difficult.

This is where Trace and Access cover comes in. Many insurance policies include cover which protects you against the cost of locating the source of a water leak and exposing it. They will advise you to employ a Trace and Access company, who will use a range of tools (e.g. thermal imaging, acoustic microphones, endoscopic cameras and gas tracing) to locate the source of a water leak (without causing excess damage to your home in the process). They will then expose the leak, so it can be repaired.

Notice above that I said ‘can be repaired’. Trace and Access does not cover the cost of either repairing the water leak or the damage caused by the water. It simply covers the cost of locating the leak source and exposing it.

How about Escape of Water?

If Trace and Access covers the cost of locating and exposing a leak, then Escape of Water must surely cover everything else? This is partially true and it really depends on your insurance policy. The vast majority of policies will include Escape of Water cover, which will protect you against the cost of repairing the damage caused by a water leak.

However, not all policies will include cover to protect you against the cost of repairing the actual water leak. For example, replacing a damaged pipe or repairing a leaking joint. It’s best to check your policy with your insurance provider to see if this is covered in your policy.

Avoiding a common mistake

When making a water damage insurance claim, it can be easy to assume that everything has to be claimed through one part of your policy. For example, we’ve seen some people try and claim back Trace and Access costs through Escape of Water cover and visa-versa. But note that each part of your policy may have different levels of excess and maximum claim amounts. Therefore, it’s often best to split the different parts of your claim and put them against the relevant cover – rather than trying to bundle everything into one.

Non-invasive water leak detection methodsPinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Non-Invasive Leak Detection: What Is It And Can Trace And Access Be Non-Invasive?

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Spotting a damp patch or water damage in your home can seem devastating. But using non-invasive water leak detection techniques, we can help you to find the leak and fix it – whilst keeping damage to an absolute minimum.

What does ‘non-invasive’ mean?

Before non-invasive methods became available, when homeowners noticed a water leak in their home, they would contact a tradesperson. This person would break into walls or ceilings, working backwards to find the source of the leak. If the leak was large, or there were a lot of pipes, then a significant amount of additional damage could be caused whilst locating the source of the water leak.

Today, there are better water leak detection techniques. Our non-invasive tactics for water leak detection mean that in the vast majority of cases we can locate the source of a leak without causing additional damage to your home.

What non-invasive technologies are there?

Thanks to our cutting-edge non-invasive water leak detection technology, we can find the source of your leak quickly and efficiently. Some of the non-invasive water leak detection services that we offer include:

Thermal imaging: Water leaks cause discrete temperature variations across surfaces. Our sensitive heat detection equipment can detect these, allowing our experienced team to trace back the leak.  The technology only needs to be in proximity to your pipes; it doesn’t need to touch them directly, so we don’t have to expose them to detect your water leaks.

Moisture meters: Moisture meters check the levels of moisture on the surfaces around your home. Our team take multiple readings to find the areas with higher levels of moisture and pinpoint the source of the water leak. Whilst moisture meters are usually non-invasive, some materials are hard to test. As such, we might need to drill a small hole to take accurate readings from inside the surface. While this approach isn’t completely non-invasive, the damage caused is very minimal.

Gas tracing:  If you suspect a central heating leak, then gas tracing is an ideal, non-invasive way to locate the source. We will drain the water from the suspected pipes, and then introduce a combination of hydrogen and nitrogen gas. This gas will escape through the leak, and our gas detection technology will find the source of the leak.

Pressure testing: An alternative to gas tracing, pressure meters are installed to measure the water pressure at different points around your central heating system. If they detect a drop in pressure in a specific section of your system, then they can narrow down the source of the leak. Pressure testing takes time, as many factors can affect the pressure of your heating system, but it’s a non-invasive and reliable way to trace leaks.

Acoustic microphones: Using digital receivers, we can check for the sound of the water leaks in your home and find them without exposing your pipes. This is more suited for locating leaks deep beneath floors, underneath concrete and other difficult to reach places.

Can trace and access be completely non-invasive?

Trace and access is made up on two parts. The first part is locating the source of the water leak, which can be completely (or very close to) non-invasive. The second part of the process is exposing the water leak so that it can be repaired – this will obviously involve some damage to the area surrounding the leak.

So whilst water leak detection can be completely non-invasive, it is likely that trace and access will involve a small amount of damage to expose the water leak. However, non-invasive leak detection techniques keep the damage to your home to an absolute minimum.

There may be more damage behind a ceiling leak than you realisePinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Ceiling Leaks – More Damage Than You Can See?

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When you think of ceiling leaks, you probably picture a huge patch of water spreading across the ceiling with a bucket underneath it.

However, even a small leak can cause significant damage to your home, as it could be a sign of a more severe problem. If you overlook water damage and damp patches, then you could find that they become major issues that cause structural damage to your property. 

To help homeowners who are unsure of what to do when they find a ceiling leak and why they shouldn’t ignore them, we’ve put together this guide to understanding the importance of fixing ceiling leaks as soon as you find them.

Never Ignore A Ceiling Leak

Even a small leak could be a sign of more severe problems. Water will always travel to the lowest point, meaning that ceiling leaks often start in a different place to where the visible damage is. For example, water may run down a loft beam and across a ceiling before finally settling and forming a damp patch. This means the damage could be far more extensive than is immediately obvious.

As such, you should be proactive and always investigate any ceiling leaks you find, however small. That includes damp patches on the ceiling, minor water damage, and small drips. These seemingly small inconveniences could be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your home, and that leak will only get worse if left alone.

Investigate The Cause

If you can, then you should try to investigate the cause of the problem. A range of different issues can cause ceiling leaks, so the first step is to access the space above the leak. If the ceiling leak is below the roof, then this could be a sign that your roof is damaged, particularly if the leak occurs after it rains and the water is brown and dirty. Check your roof and work with a roofing contractor to repair the leak.

However, if the water is clear and the leak occurs beneath your roof, then the issue is probably your home’s plumbing. If you can, check the pipes around the affected area to see which is damaged. If you can’t get to your home’s plumbing, or you don’t know what you’re looking for, then contact us, and our experts can trace the source of the leak and fix it for you, saving you time and hassle.

Using Thermal Imaging

In many cases ‘thermal imaging‘ is an ideal way to quickly locate the source of a water leak, without causing excessive damage. A thermal imaging unit will be able to detect tiny changes in surface temperature caused by water. This is far more preferable to manually excavating an area to try and find the source of a leak. 

Check If Your Home Insurance Policy Covers The Cost

Many homeowners ignore small ceiling leaks and signs of water damage because they’re afraid of the cost of fixing the problem. However, if you leave a small issue, then it could become more serious. As a result, you could be paying even more to fix the fault in the future and your insurance company may contest any related claim (because you have not acted quickly enough).

In many cases, you may be able to claim back the cost of locating the leak through your home insurance policy. Trace and access cover means that your home insurer will cover the cost of locating the source of a water leak and exposing it. Be sure to check if your policy includes this.

Contact Us If You’re Unsure

If you notice a leak in your ceiling, then book an appointment with Pinpoint today. Our team can quickly detect the source of the water leak and can also repair the leak and any damage it has caused,

Pinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Maintaining Your Central Heating Over The Summer Months

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In the heat of the summer, when its warm outside and you’re spending more time in the garden, it’s easy to forget about your central heating system.

However, with winter fast approaching, you need to make sure that your central heating is working effectively before you need it. In the winter, many plumbers have longer waiting lists, meaning you may have to wait longer in a cold and damp house.

Often, leaks and other issues in central heating systems start small, but if they go unnoticed, then they quickly become significant problems, which can be expensive to fix.

Watch Out For Leaks

One of the easiest ways to spot heating leaks is to check for water coming out of the boiler, or any of the radiators. If you find that any water is leaking out of your system, but you can’t find the cause of the leak, then contact us, and we’ll help you to get it fixed in time for the colder weather. Be vigilant and don’t overlook even a small puddle of water or slight water damage; it could be a sign of a leak. Even a small leak can cause expensive damage to your central heating system, so be proactive and act quickly. We can use pressure testing, thermal imaging, gas tracing and other techniques to find the source of the leak.

Turn Your Boiler On Intermittently

When you’re struggling in the heat, you might not want to turn your boiler on, but if you leave it switched off for months, then you might find that it won’t work correctly when you eventually turn it back on. Try turning on the hot water every week, or switching a radiator on, so that your boiler gets warmed up and ready for the winter. You should also inspect the boiler and central heating system visually every so often, to check for leaks or any other damage that could cause problems when you start using the system later in the year. Check the valves, pipes and connectors, and if you notice anything that doesn’t seem right, then contact a professional.

Bleed Your Radiators

It might sound gruesome, but bleeding your radiators is actually a great way to ensure that your central heating system works properly. It’s also a task that you can do yourself, without any professional training, making it ideal for cost-conscious homeowners. To find out more about how to bleed your radiators, check out this guide. While you’re bleeding your radiators, you might want to consider checking your boiler pressure.

Check Your Boiler And Pipe Insulation

Boiler and pipe insulation stops your equipment from getting too cold in the winter and freezing. If the water in your system freezes, then thaws, it could cause the pipes to crack and leak. As such, you must check your insulation now to ensure that your pipes are warm enough for the coming cold weather. If the insulation is insufficient, then you should contact your plumber to find out more about adding additional insulation to ensure that your pipes won’t freeze when the temperature drops.

Get Your Central Heating System Serviced

Your boiler and central heating system need servicing at least once a year, and summer is the best time to do it. After all, you’re not using your system as much, so you’ll have plenty of time to get any repairs made or spare parts ordered. If you leave your annual central heating check until winter, then you could encounter problems and be left with a cold house. Call a Gas Safe engineer who can check your boiler pressure, pipes and more, and reassure you that your system is running effectively. If they do notice any problems, they can advise you on how to fix them.   

Call The Professionals

If you notice any problems with your home’s pipes, plumbing and central heating system during the summer and you’re not sure what to do, call a professional. Our team can help with everything from water leak detection through to leak repair, water extraction, and drying, and much more.

Which water damage repair costs are included in your insurance policy?Pinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Repairing water damage, which costs are covered by your policy?

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If you’ve had a water leak that’s caused damage to your home and you’ve just started the (less than enviable) task of sorting it out, then you may be wondering what you can and cannot claim for on your home insurance policy.

In this article we summarise the three main cost areas, what may not be covered and what to check your policy for. We can’t cover every scenario for every insurance policy, but you should get a good understanding of the things to ask your insurer about as you start this process.

Important: When starting a water damage home insurance claim, remember the two most important things: document everything and report it to your insurer as soon as you can. For more information take a look at our guide to making a water damage insurance claim.

Locating the water leak

Arguably the most important part of the process is locating the source of the water leak. If you cannot locate the leak then you cannot repair it and the damage to your home will continue.

At this point you’re probably thinking that you need a water leak detection company and you’d be mostly right. However, you actually need someone to find the source of the leak and expose it. This is known as Trace and Access and is basically the combination of finding a leak and exposing it so it can be fixed.

Some policies have Trace and Access cover included, either as a core part of the policy or as a bolt-on. If this is the case then you can reclaim the cost of this process from your insurer.

Repairing the water leak

Once found, you’ll want to repair the water leak. Often this is a leaking pipe, joint or roof. However, this is often the cause of a significant amount of confusion when it comes to your home insurance.

Often, a home insurance policy will only cover the cost to repair the damage caused by the leak and not the water leak itself. Put another way, you will need to pay for the cost to repair a leaking water pipe (assuming it’s a pipe that’s leaking) and your insurance company will cover the cost to repair the damage the leaking water has caused to your home.

It’s worth noting that some policies will now cover the cost to repair the leak, but don’t take this for granted. Check your policy wording carefully.

Repairing the water damage caused by the leak

Once the water leak has been located, exposed and fixed then it’s time to repair the water damage caused by the leak. This is where the documentation that you’ve been keeping since the beginning will prove most useful. Some insurers may suggest using their own contractors to fix the damage, but remember you do have a right to appoint your own specialists.

If you don’t want to manage the process yourself, you can appoint an insurance claim specialist to take care of most things on your behalf (their costs are covered by the insurance policy).

At the end of the process your insurer will either pay your contractor/specialist directly or make a payment to yourself to pass on to your contractor/specialist.

Keep in mind that your claim cannot include damage that was caused by general use or ‘wear and tear‘. Your insurer will only cover the cost to make repairs to damage that was directly caused by the leaking water.

Claiming on your home insurance for a water leakPinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Claiming on house insurance for water leak

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Updated 13th August 2020

Have you noticed a water leak? Are you thinking about claiming on your house insurance? In this article we give an overview of the process for making a home insurance claim after a water leak. We’ll give an overview of the typical claims process, what you can and can’t claim for and some best practices.

Related articles: Which costs are covered by your policy?
Is plumbing covered by home insurance?

So you’ve noticed a water leak. It may be a large scale leak, in which case it would be difficult to miss. Or you’ve just discovered a smaller leak, which has lay hidden for some time and you’ve just noticed some of the damage it has caused. Let’s talk through some of the key considerations, step by step.

Should you make an insurance claim?

Whether or not you make an insurance claim will depend on a number of factors, including:

  • The scale of the water leak and the damage it has caused to your home
  • The level of insurance excess you will have to pay
  • The effect on your no claims bonus

If the damage caused by your water leak is very small, then it may not be prudent to make an insurance claim. This is particularly true for insurance policies with high excess payments, or where losing your (unprotected) no claims bonus would result in a significant rise in premiums.

However be careful, not to underestimate the cost to repair the damage caused by the leak. Even smaller leaks can lead to damage that is costly to repair. For example, a small leak from an upstairs bathroom can cause a lot of hidden damage. As the water leaks down towards the lower floor, it can damage floorboards, ceiling plaster, decorations and electrical circuitry.

If you’re unsure, a leak detection and repair specialist will be able to provide an assessment of the damage caused.

Making an insurance claim

If you decide to make an insurance claim, then you need to do it quickly. One of the most common reasons for a home insurance provider to challenge or reject a claim, is when the claim has not been reported promptly. Don’t wait several days to report your claim, report it now!

Start documenting your claim

It is important that you document all aspects of your claim. This may prove to be vitally important later down the line. Create a file and start by documenting the leak and damage to your home. Write descriptions of the damage, take photographs, log calls to your insurer and save emails so they can easily be referenced.

Detecting the source of your leak / Trace and Access

It’s possible that you do not know the exact source of your water leak and therefore it cannot be repaired immediately. It may be hidden behind a wall, underneath a floor, or within a ceiling. If this is the case then you will need to trace the source of the water leak before repair works can begin.

Some home insurance policies include ‘Trace and Access’ cover. This will allow you to reclaim the cost of using a specialist to trace the source of the leak and expose it. Please note that often this does not include the cost to repair the leak, only to locate and expose it.

Repairing the water leak

It is important that you repair the water leak as quickly as possible. The longer the leak exists, the more damage it will do to your home. Your insurer will want you to demonstrate that you have taken reasonable steps to minimise the damage caused by the leak. Repairing the leak quickly is an important part of this.

Please note that many insurers will cover the cost of repairing your water leak. Many insurers will only compensate you for the cost to repair the damage caused by the leak, not the repairing of the leak itself. So be prepared to pay a specialist to repair the leak for you.

Agreeing the cost of repairs

The next stage of the process is to agree with your insurer the cost to repair the damage to your home. In many cases your insurer will ask you to provide quotes from multiple companies to repair the damage. In some cases they may recommend that you use a specific company. However, remember that as long as the cost is reasonable (and in line with other companies) you can choose the company that you would like to make the repairs.

In some cases your insurer will send a representative (a ‘loss adjuster’) to assess the damage to your home. Their job is to ensure that your insurer is not overpaying for repairs and that the repairs included are justified within your claim. Remember to keep all of your associated documentation and correspondence.

Starting the repairs

You may have to negotiate with your insurer (and their loss adjuster) before you are allowed to proceed with repairing the damage caused by the leak. Once a cost has been agreed, then repairs can commence. As your progress through the process, keep adding to your claims file. Document the repair process, take photographs and note communications with your repair company.

Completing repairs

Once repairs are complete, you will likely need to sign documentation to confirm you are happy with the repairs and that your case can be closed. Your insurer will then arrange for a payment to be made, either to you directly or to the company who have provided the repairs to your home. If payment is made to you, you should arrange for this money to be promptly transferred to the repair company.

Things to bear in mind

Act quickly

Don’t delay reporting your claim and repairing your leak. Remember that you need to demonstrate you have done everything reasonable to reduce the damage to your home.

Log everything

It is important to keep a ‘trail’ for your claim. You should start by documenting the leak and damage to your home, and follow this through all of the way to the end of your claim. Create a folder which, at a minimum contains the following tabs:

  • Your water leak: Include notes and photographs of your leak and the damage to your home
  • Correspondence with your insurer: Save all emails, letters and log telephone calls that have been made or received
  • Cost to repair: Save quotes from repair companies and correspondence with your loss adjuster
  • The repair: Take notes and photographs as repairs are made to your home
  • Misc: There will probably be other types of correspondence, keep notes of them here

Common reasons for challenges to your insurance claim

Most home insurance claims are processed without undue hassle or delay. But approximately 10% are challenged or dismissed by an insurer. Here we discuss some of the common pitfalls that can be avoided when making a claim.

You do not act quickly enough

As we have mentioned several times, you need to act quickly to report your claim and repair your leak. This is one of the most common reasons for rejecting a claim. You need to demonstrate that you have acted quicky to both report the claim and minimise the damage caused by the water leak.

You have not taken reasonable steps to prevent the leak in the first place

You should have taken reasonable steps to keep your home in a good state of repair. This reduces the chances of a water leak. For example; if you have leaking water from your bath, but have not maintained the bath seal, then this may be cause for your insurer to challenge your claim.

Some examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Have you kept bath/shower seals in good condition?
  • Has your roof been maintained and checked at regular intervals *?
  • Have you maintained your central heating system?
  • Have windows been properly maintained?
  • Are your appliances and their connections in good working order?

* If you have a flat roof, your insurance policy may require you to get your roof inspected at regular intervals (defined in your policy).

What you can’t claim for

The cost to repair your leak

Many home insurance providers will not cover the cost to repair your leak. They will only cover the cost to repair the damage to your home caused by the leak.

Damage not caused by the leak

You cannot claim to make repairs to your home, where the associated damage was not caused by your water leak. Your insurer will only cover the cost to restore your home to it’s previous condition.

General ‘wear and tear’

You cannot claim to repair items that have suffered general ‘wear and tear’. A specific incident must have occurred, which forms the basis for your claim. For example you cannot claim to maintain your roof or replace tiles that may become dislodged or damaged by weather, naturally over time.

Blocked drains

In the majority of cases blocked drains are caused by human error, for example using the drains to dispose of items that are unsuitable for drain disposal. There may be some exceptions to this case, however the vast majority of blocked drains will not be compensated by your insurer.

Your personal time managing your claim

You cannot claim compensation for the time it takes you to start and manage your insurance claim. The time taken can be substantial so you may wish to consider using a repair company with experience in water damage repair.

Summary

Providing that you have maintained your home to a reasonable standard, reported your claim quickly, document your claim and are responsive to your insurers requests, then your claim should be processed quickly and without unnecessary hassle. However, if you are experiencing difficulties, why not contact our team of experts who may be able to help?

Pinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Is Trace and Access the same as leak detection?

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There’s often some confusion between the terms ‘Trace and Access’ and ‘leak detection’. Are they the same? Or if not, how do they differ? We take a look at the key differences between the two terms.

Water leak detection

If you have a hidden water leak and need to find the exact source of the leak, a water leak detection specialist can help. For example you may have noticed a discoloured area on a wall (a tell-tale sign of a water leak). These kinds of leaks may be buried beneath floors, located deep within walls or within cavities.

A leak detection company will use a range of techniques, each designed to pinpoint the exact source of a water leak. Some of these techniques will be non-invasive, for example thermal imaging. Although in some cases, a small amount of damage may need to be done to locate the leak.

Trace and Access

Trace and Access is not exactly the same as water leak detection. It is a type of cover included in a home insurance policy, which allows a home-owner to reclaim the cost of locating the source of a water leak, exposing it and repairing the damage caused by the Trace and Access process. This is typically up to a set figure, for example £5,000 (although this can vary by policy).

A Trace and Access specialist will use the same methods as a water leak detection specialist to pinpoint the source of a water leak. Then in addition, they will expose the leak. Exposing the leak will allow the leak (and the damage it has caused) to be examined and subsequently repaired.

Trace and Access isn’t included as standard in all home insurance policies, so check with your insurer if you’re unsure.

The cost to repair the leak and associated damage

Neither, Trace and Access or leak detection services typically include the cost to repair the leak. This is an additional service which may have to be paid for separately. Although it is important to note that some insurance policies will cover this cost. The cost to repair the damage the water leak has caused will usually be covered by the home insurance policy under an ‘escape of water’ clause.