Leak detection
Last updated: 12th January 2024
1. Site Access & Permissions
a) We require free and available parking within 100 metres of the property for which we conduct the leak detection service, due to the size and weight of the equipment we use.
b) It is the customer’s (“You”, “the client”) responsibility to arrange goods access to all necessary areas for us (“Us”, “Miracle Leak Detection”) to complete our work. This includes access to other properties, if required, as well as access to stopcocks and inspection chambers. Our standard charges will remain payable if adequate access is not arranged and testing can not be completed. Return visits are also payable by the customer at full cost.
c) We will try our best to work in situations of limited access, where possible and safe to do so. However, standard fees will be payable by the customer should our engineer(s) be unable to conclude their work due to heavily cluttered areas or similar prohibitions.
d) If the customer refuses our proposed testing methods and we are unable to continue our work, standard fees will still be payable.
2. Leak Detection
a) We are unable to predict how long it will take to find any leak(s) either before or during our trace and access work.
b) We cannot guarantee the length of time it will take to locate all leaks briefed by the customer. One or more return visits may be necessary. We will keep you updated and informed throughout.
c) In cases of multiple visits, the company is not responsible for damage caused by undetected leaks that may occur in the time between or during our visits.
d) We are not responsible for leaks not specifically included and described in the client brief.
e) Our testing is designed to find leaks in water supply pipes. Pressure testing will be made up to the point at which any appliance is isolated. This is to avoid causing damage to appliances that are designed to work at standard water pressure. It is the customer’s responsibility to arrange for an appliance specialist to attend and ensure an appliance is not leaking during use.
f) We will try to locate a leak to a specific area using a range of specialist equipment . Although our non-invasive methods are more accurate and preferable to the traditional destructive approach, they do have limitations. Certain floor constructions can reduce the accuracy of testing. In the case of non-solid floors, tracer gas can fill the void space, and/or be moved from the leak source by underfloor ventilation. Tracer gas can escape into an area or areas where the leak is not located.
g) In certain circumstances, limited invasive works are required. This can include removing bath panels, removing boxing in and removing light fittings for endoscopic camera access. Invasive procedures of this nature will only be carried out if we are given clear instruction by the customer. Return visits to carry out further leak detection will also be payable by the customer.
h) Our equipment can ‘set’ liquid leak seal which has been injected to a plumbing system before we attend. If leak sealant has previously been added to any system it may make locating the leak more difficult or even impossible.
i) Leaks can be intermittent. Leaks of this nature can be much harder to locate and it may not be possible to locate a leak of this type using non-invasive methods.
j) Leak detection is considered successful even when we find no leak is present. This is especially true when a property is damp or when no leak is found because of a boiler fault.
k) There are limits to what leak detection technology can provide and every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our findings and reports. Information is presented as we find it, with no warranty as to accuracy, and is intended for guidance only. Miracle Leak Detection cannot be held responsible for the way in which the customer may interpret or act upon the results of our report.
l) It is the customer’s responsibility to continue to monitor the situation after we leave, and call us back as necessary to investigate on-going leaks.
m) Leak detection and leak repair sometimes need to be completed together. Should we be instructed to locate the leak only, and the leak fix is done later by others, we cannot be held responsible if the leak that is repaired is not located where we first indicated.
n) There are limits to what leak detection technology can provide and every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our findings and reports. Information is presented as we find it, with no warranty as to accuracy, and is intended for guidance only. We cannot be held responsible for the way in which the customer may interpret or act upon our findings and/or report.
o) Our Underground Trace Only Survey package is considered successful when the leak is narrowed down to an area of 4m x 4m. However, this is not applicable when we are not also instructed to carry out subsequent excavation/access works and pipe repair.
p) Our leak detection equipment is designed to find water leaks on pipework only. We do not carry out water leak detection investigations on structural faults.
q) We do not carry out water leak detection investigations in properties that have problems with historic/intermittent leaks.
r) We do not carry out leak detection investigations for discolouration or mould.
s) We do not carry out water leak detection investigations to neighbouring properties unless we have been instructed to do so directly by the homeowner.
3. Access and Repair
a) Access and/or repair, including invasive works, will not be carried out without the customer’s prior consent.
b) On some occasions, exposed leaking pipes are in close contact with each other or another obstruction, making access for repair difficult. In these circumstances, there is a risk of collateral damage during repair. We accept no responsibility for such collateral damage should it occur, and any necessary additional repairs will be payable by the customer.
c) Repairs to old, poor quality and/or damaged pipe work must be viewed as temporary and prone to fail within a short time. We will charge to attend again because of a failed temporary repair.
d) Our leak detection will aim to locate the leak as accurately as possible. Exposing and accessing the leak will be carried out on a best endeavours basis, using the results obtained from the leak detection equipment. Access will only be carried out if authorisation is gained from customer. We accept no liability for any damage caused by access works carried out in areas where no leak is ultimately detected.
e) If we expose the leaking mains supply pipe and its condition is so poor that it needs to be replaced, you will still pay for the leak detection works carried out on the day. We will then provide you with a separate quote for the pipe replacement.
f) We do not carry out repair works to failed sealant or failed grout. We only carry out pipe-related repairs.
4. Remedial Works
a) Our trace and access service is designed to be as non-destructive as possible in locating leaks at your property. However, less accessible leaks may need to be exposed as described above in point 3 (a-d).
b) Reinstatement works are not included for mains water leak detection and will be quoted separately.
5. Quotation and payment
a) We will always inform customers of the cost(s) of additional remedial and repair work in the form of a full quotation prior to commencement.
b) Please note that we are unable to provide the above quotation for remedial works until the initial trace and access service has been completed and the leak(s) has been assessed.
c) Our technicians treat all leaks as emergencies meaning that your paperwork will be created on site. You will be provided with the costs of the works on an initial paper quotation/invoice and receive a hard copy via email once the work has been completed.
d) You will receive your hard copy via email within 48 hours after completion of the work, which you can use for your own and your insurer’s records.
e) Unless we inform you that the works will be carried out and billed according to an hourly rate, the sum stated in the quotation will be due in full upon completion, regardless of the time it takes for work to be completed.
f) Our estimated time of arrival may vary due to unforeseen circumstances. We will endeavour to inform you of any changes relating to the date and time of our visit.
g) Should you require further testing/investigations to the same reported issue after we have already deemed our testing to be successful, you will incur the same cost(s) again.
h) If we identify that the property has multiple leaks after tracing, excavation/access works and a pipe repair, you will be charged accordingly and this will not be covered under the price structure displayed on the website.
i) If we identify that the pipework can not be repaired due to its poor condition and instead needs replacing, you will be quoted accordingly. Any attempted/temporary pipe repairs will still be charged.
j) The prices provided for internal water leak repair cover properties up to the size of a standard three-bedroom home. Larger properties will be priced accordingly.
k) The repair or replacement of an incoming mains water supply pipe requires excavation/access works. Any unwanted material and rubble will be bagged and left on site and is the customer’s responsibility to professionally dispose.
l) The standard price for our external incoming mains water supply pipe leak does not cover reinstatement works/backfilling. You will be quoted accordingly once the leak detection, excavation and repair is complete. The area will only be reinstated should you accept our quote to reinstate.
6. Recommissioning
a) We may need to drain down and re-fill the central heating system to carry out certain testing. An additional charge for necessary materials will apply if you would like us to refill the system with the correct chemicals.
b) If a system is drained down for testing, our engineer will attempt to recommission the system on the same day. Any time involved in carrying out this work will be chargeable. However, it is not always possible to fully recommission the system on the same day as the leak detection and return visits will be chargeable.
c) Properly designed and constructed heating systems should be able to cope with being drained down and refilled. Where a heating system will not work properly after leak detection has been carried out, this may require the attendance of a specialist heating/boiler engineer. We do not accept liability for these works.
d) Systems should be able to cope with the testing carried out on them, including pressure testing. We accept no liability for secondary leaks that occur due to initial leak detection and testing. Return visits to repair such leaks are also payable by the client.
7. Payment
a) Payment is due on the day of the leak detection and will be taken by our engineer before they leave site. We accept debit/credit card or BACs payment only. We do not accept cash. If you are not on site at the time of completion, payment will be taken over the phone by card. If we are unable to reach you for any reason, an invoice will be sent to you by email and payment is strictly due upon receipt.
b) We do not accept payment from insurance companies.
c) Materials remain the property of Miracle Leak Detection until our invoice is paid in full.
d) Your report will not be released until payment is due in full.
8. No Find, No Fee
a) No Find, No Fee is not applicable to damp and water damage caused by construction defects, or if there are no plumbing leaks to be found.
b) No Find, No Fee is not applicable when we are not also instructed to carry out the leak access and repair. Our time is chargeable if we have to return at a separate date or time for multiple leaks.
c) Should we successfully carry out testing of the reported issue and confirm there is no water leak, you will still be liable to make full payment for the testing of the pipework.
d) Should you have an ongoing water leak and we are unsuccessful in tracing the water leak, you will not pay for our services.
9. Return visits
a) Should we return to your property for a separate issue unrelated to the original leak detection works carried out, you will incur separate, additional cost(s).
b) If there are multiple leaks, our time is chargeable if we have to return at a separate date or time.
c) If we uncover asbestos tiles in the area that needs to be excavated we won’t be able to continue and will have to stop our work immediately. You will be responsible for calling an asbestos removals company and arranging testing. You will be charged for any work carried out on the day and an additional charge should we need to return again.
d) If we detect an incoming mains water supply that’s leaking under trees and/or tree roots which requires a tree surgeon, you will be responsible for the removal of the tree and/or tree roots. You will be charged for any work carried out on the day and an additional charge should we need to return again.
10. Excavation works
a) Throughout the leak detection investigation works, excavation of materials on site will be removed accordingly. We do not take any building materials away from site, but instead bag them and place them in a location of your choice.
11. Claims
a) We do not involve ourselves in any disputes you may encounter with your insurance claim should your policy not cover the water leak detection works carried out.
b) We are not responsible for any water loss you may encounter throughout the water leak detection investigations.
c) We are not responsible for taking water meter readings. Our work is strictly limited to leak detection investigations and the rectification of any issue.
12. Safety
a) For reasons of safety, we kindly ask that customers/contractors do not watch while our technicians carry out their work. Please respect that we have to concentrate and remain focused on the job at hand. We will keep you updated on the job accordingly and answer any questions upon completion.
b) Please ensure that pets and animals are kept away from working areas. We ask that you be mindful that we will be taking tools in and out of the property and will not be held responsible for any pets/animals escaping.
