If you’re on a meter

You may have received a bill that shows a larger amount of usage than normal which may indicate a leak on your supply pipe.

Watch our guide or follow our steps below to find out how to check for a leak.

Step 1 – Make sure all your appliances (like the washing machine) and taps are switched off
Step 2 – Find your water meter, usually in the footpath at the front of your house.
Step 3 – Read all of the dials on your meter – small leaks will show on your dials not numbers
Step 4 – Wait 30 minutes and take another reading

If the numbers and dials haven’t changed, you probably don’t have a leak and may want to consider why your water use is higher.

If they have changed, you’ll need to know where the leak is (if it’s inside or outside)

Step 1 – Again make sure all your appliances and taps are switched off
Step 2 – Find your internal stop tap, usually under your kitchen sink and turn it anti-clockwise to the off position. To confirm it has closed correctly, check that no water flows from your cold kitchen tap.
Step 3 – Read all of the dials on your meter
Step 4 – Wait 30 minutes and take another reading
Step 5 – Turn your internal stop tap back to the on position.

If the dials have changed the leak may be located between your meter and your internal stop tap. You can find out what to do next here.

If not, the problem may be a smaller leak inside your home (after your internal stop tap) and you may want to contact an approved contractor to help.

If you’re not on a meter

Watch our guide below to find out how to check for a leak or follow our checklist below;

Ceilings or walls for any wet areas 
Driveways for constant wet patches
Noises coming from your plumbing system
Low water pressure

These signs may indicate a leak and you’ll need to confirm this with an approved contractor.

Approved contractors can be found through WaterSafe or on the Water Industry Approved Plumber Scheme WIAPS.