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How to spot water leaks in your business

Water leaks in business premises can be time consuming and costly. While some leaks present obvious signs like damp patches or water pooling, others require you to go looking for them. Understanding how to check for water leaks is crucial to prevent property damage and unexpected expenses.

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Types of leaks you may find in your business

Water leaking from water meter

Regularly inspect your water meter for any signs of leakage. If you don’t know where it is, please contact your retailer. If you notice water leaking from the water meter or its fittings, it's essential to report a water leak to your water retailer as soon as possible.

A person observing a water meter

Internal leaks

Internal leaks can happen in various areas, including:

  • Fixtures and fittings: dripping taps, leaky loos or leaking pipes within the premises.
  • Incorrectly plumbed appliances: like washing machines or dishwashers that aren't properly installed can cause leaks.
  • Overflows: water tanks or cisterns, especially those in lofts, may overflow if malfunctioning.
Dripping tap

External leaks

External leaks can appear underground in the pipework between the water meter and your property. They are not always visible, but signs can include:

  • Wet or damp patches on the ground.
  • Sunken areas of grass or paving.
  • Lush greenery during dry weather, indicating underground leaks.
  • Dripping outside taps or hosepipes.
  • Noticeable changes in water pressure.
A path with water lying ontop of the concrete

How to check for water leaks

Follow the below advice to see if you have a leak. If you’re still unable to locate the leak, please contact your retailer for further help. You can also print this step-by-step leak test and stick it up at work.

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Initial leak test

Make sure all taps and appliances are turned off. Check for visible signs of leaks, such as dripping taps or leaking overflow pipes.

2 of 6

Meter reading test

Read your water meter at the end of the day and then turn everything off so you're not using your water supply overnight. Take another reading in the morning when you arrive, if the readings are different, it may indicate a leak.

3 of 6

Do I have an internal or external leak?

If your water meter is located outside you should repeat step 2, first turning off the internal stop tap. If your meter still records usage, you are likely to have an external leak. If the meter stops, the leak is likely to be internal.

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Faulty stop tap

If your internal stop tap is not working, you need to call an approved plumber to fix it. This must be done before the test can happen.

Where's my stop tap?
5 of 6

I have an internal leak

If you find a leak in your property, your water retailer is unlikely to give you a leak allowance as you are responsible for fixing internal leaks. You should report a leak repair to your water retailer.

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I have an external leak

If you're leak is outside your business premises but still within the property boundary, please contact your water retailer. You may be able to claim for a leakage allowance.

Leakage allowance for business customers

If you’ve had an external leak, you might be able to claim a leakage allowance. 

You will only be eligible to claim if you:

  • you repaired the leak within 30 days of finding it
  • apply within six months after the repair
  • have not already made a claim for the same property within the last two years. 

You cannot claim a leak allowance if the leak resulted from negligence. To apply, please contact your water retailer.

You will need to provide your retailer with:

  • the reason for the allowance request
  • what happened to the water that leaked?
  • the location of the leak and its cause
  • the date the leak was fixed
  • two meter readings recorded after the repair, with at least a week between them
  • the reason for the delay, if the repair exceeded 30 days
  • any proof of the repair, such as invoices or photographs.

We have worked with the Market Operator Services Limited (MOSL) Retailer Wholesaler Group (RWG) to produce guidelines for business customers to follow. 

Man finding leak under his kitchen sink

Frequently asked questions 

While not all leaks are preventable, you can take measures to reduce the risk:

  • Regular inspections: check all fixtures, fittings, and appliances for signs of wear or damage.
  • Proper insulation: make sure that pipes, especially those in unheated areas, are well-insulated to prevent freezing and bursting. Learn how to stop your pipes from freezing.
  • Prompt repairs: deal with minor issues immediately to prevent them from escalating into major problems.

We’re responsible for maintaining the pipework beyond the boundary of your property. This includes our service pipes and water mains. If the water leak happens outside the boundary of your business property, you're unlikely to be responsible for fixing it.

Nevertheless, this isn't always true. Occasionally, a customer's supply pipes extend through another property, and some are even situated on public roads. If you have a leak and are unsure of where your responsibility lies, content your water retailer who can ask us to investigate.

We are not responsible for any leaks found internally or within your property boundary, including your supply pipe. If you are a tenant, as the consumer of water it is your responsibility to contact your landlord to arrange repair.

We’re using advanced technology to detect and repair leaks across our network. Each week, we fix around 500 leaks—about 25,500 per year. Sensors, satellites, listening devices, and even mini robots help us monitor our 13,900km network around the clock. Over the past 30 years, we've cut leakage by a third, and we aim to reduce it by half by 2050. Learn more about what we’re doing to minimise leaks.

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