Quick answer
An unexplained moving meter, persistently wet ground or loss of pressure may indicate a leak on an underground supply pipe. These signs are not conclusive; check the meter and contact your water company if the pipe route or responsibility is unclear.
Possible signs outside
Look for a patch of ground that stays wet in dry weather, an unusually lush strip of grass, sinking ground or water appearing near the route from the meter to the home. A leak can remain hidden beneath paving or soil, and rainwater, drainage problems or irrigation can create similar signs.
Check without digging
- 1Turn off taps and appliances, and ensure toilets have stopped filling.
- 2Record the water meter, wait without using water, then compare the reading.
- 3If it moves, close the internal stopcock if safe and repeat the check.
- 4Note whether the meter continues to register and photograph outdoor signs; do not excavate to search.
Contact the right organisation
In general, the homeowner is responsible for the supply pipe from the boundary or stopcock to the house, while the water company is responsible for the rest of the network. The exact boundary and arrangements can depend on the property and pipe layout. Contact your water company to confirm responsibility and next steps before digging or arranging work. TraceFix can investigate suspected leaks in Birmingham and London and explain the findings.
When to call a plumber
- The meter moves while all known use is stopped.
- Ground remains wet or water appears without an obvious cause.
- You suspect the pipe is between the boundary and property.
- Water is affecting foundations, access or neighbouring land.