May 21, 2026
Skills renewal vital to counter subsidence threat, Catalyst’s Paul Duddle tells conference
With more subsidence data available than ever before, having the right expertise to use...
Leak Detection Specialists
Catalyst provides specialist leak detection services for insurers, loss adjusters, commercial clients, and property owners who need hidden water leaks located quickly and accurately.
We support trace and access investigations, escape of water claims, underground pipework issues, and mains water leak investigations using proven diagnostic methods to identify the source of the problem and support the next stage of repair or claim handling.
Request a leak investigation
Talk to our team about insurance claim support 0333 004 8008
Specialist water leak detection
Water leaks are not always visible. Hidden leaks can sit beneath floors, behind walls, within external pipework, or across underground water services while continuing to cause damage, disruption, and claim costs.
Our specialist water leak detection service is designed to locate hidden leaks accurately, reduce unnecessary disruption, and provide clear findings for the next step.
We support a wide range of projects, including:
- Domestic properties
- Commercial buildings
- External water supply systems
- And insurance-led investigations where a precise, costed diagnosis is essential before repairs begin
Insurance Companies
Loss Adjusters
Commercial
Property Landlords
Public Organisations
Home Owners
Trace and access leak detection for insurance claims
Trace and access leak detection is the process of locating the source of a hidden leak so repairs or claim-related access can be carried out with as little unnecessary disruption as possible.
Catalyst supports insurers, loss adjusters, and claims teams with trace and access leak detection services that help establish the source of a leak with minimal disruption where possible.
Our role is to trace the cause of leakage, identify the point of failure, and provide clear reporting that can support claim progression, repair planning, and communication between stakeholders.
This is particularly valuable for:
- Escape of water claims
- Resolving complex internal leaks
- Ending recurrent failures
- Protecting properties where the source of water ingress is not immediately obvious.
By combining practical site knowledge with specialist detection methods, we help reduce delay and avoid unnecessary exploratory work.
Talk to the Catalyst team about trace and access support:
Call Catalyst 0333 004 8008
Why insurers, loss adjusters and property teams choose Catalyst
Catalyst is not just a leak detection service provider. We support insurers and loss adjusters with a wider claims fulfilment service that includes drainage and off-mains drainage investigations, water supply pipe repair and replacement services, and subsidence investigation services.
This capability means our leak detection service sits within a broader understanding of how property damage claims progress, what insurance clients and their customers need from site investigations, and how fast, accurate reporting can help move claims forwards.
6 reasons insurers choose Catalyst’s leak detection service
- Our CII-qualified claims handlers support customers with a fast, decisive service from first notification of loss through to claim closure.
- We provide a national leak detection service through audited field teams and can mobilise specialist resources wherever required.
- Our detailed technical reports support faster, more confident decision-making across leak detection and escape of water claims.
- Our technical and policy understanding helps clients reduce unnecessary claim costs and identify practical steps to lower future risk.
- We are known for responsive service, clear communication, and customer-focused approach throughout the claim journey.
- Through our drainage and subsidence investigation services, we provide a more integrated claims fulfilment offer than a leak detection contractor alone.
Escape of water investigations
Escape of water claims often require more than a visual inspection. Water may travel away from the point of failure, appear in a different part of the building, or present as intermittent dampness that is difficult to isolate.
Our escape of water investigations help establish the origin of the leak and provide a clearer basis for repair planning, claim handling, and further technical investigation.
Where required, we can support claims teams and property stakeholders with evidence-led reporting, practical findings from site, and a clearer understanding of the damage mechanism affecting the building.
Reporting for insurers, loss adjusters, and commercial clients
For insurance-led and commercial work, clear reporting matters. Our findings are used by claims and loss adjuster clients to:
- Identify whether the incident may fall within policy cover
- Show where the leak originated
- Explain how the source was identified
- Clarify the likely implications for repair planning and further investigation
- Highlight preventative steps that may help reduce the risk of future claims
This supports better decision-making for insurers, loss adjusters, contractors, and property owners.
Our detailed and accurate technical reports can help demonstrate the outcome of trace and access investigations, support decision-making about escape of water claims, and reduce uncertainty around the next steps in protecting buildings.
Leak detection methods we use
We use non-destructive and minimally invasive methods that help refine the search area before the most effective costed repairs are recommended and carried out.
The right leak detection method depends on the property, the pipe material, the system layout, and the type of leak suspected.
Depending on the situation, our investigations may involve:
Using the correct leak detection method at the right stage helps reduce disruption, improve confidence in the diagnosis, and create a more efficient route to repair, claim progression, or further investigation.
Introducing our leak detection guide
Do you know the six main causes are of an internal water leak? What kinds of damage a water leak can do? Or how a leaking water pipe can be repaired?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found in the Catalyst Water Leak Detection Guide.
If you have concerns about water leaks, our guide will provide you with accurate, up-to-date, helpful information.
6 signs you may have a hidden water leak
- Mould growth
Surfaces may not appear damp, but if you detect mould developing where it shouldn’t, you could have a leak - Drop in water pressure
If taps run more slowly or showers lose pressure, it may indicate that water is escaping elsewhere in the system. - Foul smells
Persistent damp, mould, or hidden water damage can create unpleasant odours, particularly where moisture is trapped over time. - Rumbling or hissing noises
Strange sounds inside your home, even clanging and grinding noises, can be caused by water escaping from an underground pipe. - Damp or wet floors, ceilings or walls
Water may take days or weeks to emerge, so it may be a sign of a long-standing problem that risks causing serious hidden damage. - Cracked walls and floors
Water leaks can cause foundations to shift, leading to cracking in walls and floors. Also look out for cracks in concrete drives or paved paths.
If you need specialist leak detection, trace and access support, or help progressing an escape of water investigation, contact Catalyst to discuss your requirements.
Our team can advise on the most suitable next step for insurers, commercial properties, and private clients who need the source of a leak identified accurately.
Underground and water supply pipe leak detection
Leaks are not limited to plumbing systems within a building.
We also investigate hidden leaks affecting underground pipework, incoming water supplies, and external services that may be contributing to water ingress or unexplained water loss.
These can include:
Underground water leaks
External supply issues
Water pressure problems
Unexplained water usage
Detecting leaks in wastewater pipes
Catalyst also investigates water leaks in wastewater and drainage pipes, which can cause damage to the fabric of buildings and can be a contributing factor in the development of subsidence.
Damaging leaks can be caused by a range of drainage defects, including:
- Cracks and displaced joints in underground drains
- Blocked and broken roof gutters
- Cracked rainwater downpipes
- Corroded internal or external soil pipes
- Blocked gully pots
These investigations often need a more specialist approach to pinpoint the leak source accurately and avoid unnecessary excavation. Our drainage teams use a range of methods to identify these defects, including CCTV drainage surveys, CAT and Sonde investigations and drain flow analysis, for example using dye tracing to pinpoint these detects so they can be repaired.
If you suspect a leak affecting underground pipework, incoming supplies, or external services, our team can assess the system, identify likely leak locations, and advise on the next practical steps.
Leak detection methods explained
Thermal imaging
Our engineers use sophisticated thermal imaging cameras to locate leaks in hot water pipes. The infrared inspection cameras are sensitive enough to identify the location of leaks, even beneath concrete, and moisture than cannot be reached with moisture meters.
Thermal imaging cameras can also be used to inspect large areas of a building very quickly, identifying temperature changes across a structure that could be a sign of a leak. They also help detect leaks in central heating and underfloor heating systems.
Acoustic profiling
Acoustic profiling is the process of using advanced microphones, combined with digital acoustic software, to identify the noise created by a water leak that may be many feet underground or under built structures.
The noise of the leak is amplified, processed and filtered, allowing our professional water leak engineers to more easily assess its location and severity. The most appropriate counter-measures can then be planned.
Tracer gas analysis
We can look for leaks by introducing gas into the water pipe, in a process called tracer gas analysis. The gas escapes from the buried pipe at the point of the leak and rises to the surface, even through asphalt and concrete, where it is picked up by highly-sensitive gas sensors.
The gas used is hydrogen, combined safely with inert nitrogen. Tracer gas analysis can accurately and quickly locate a leak along a long run of water pipe, preventing the need for costly excavation.
Correlation leak detection
Correlation leak detection uses very sensitive devices that identify the frequency of the sound made by a leak. Two correlation detectors are used to pinpoint the location of the leak.
They do this by comparing the signal delay, sensor distance and the sound velocity, identifying the most likely location of the source of the sound made by the leak.
Dye leak detection
Our leak detection engineers can use a simple non-toxic water soluble dye to trace the flow of water through a system and where it is escaping. The method can be used to identify leaks in domestic and commercial water systems, and in swimming pools.
Damp meter detection
Catalyst engineers are also often called in to investigate cases of damp, using damp meters. These can be used to detect all damp and condensation problems, which may be associated with water leaks.
Types of damp our water engineers investigate include: penetrating damp, caused by water seeping through walls; condensation damp, caused by moist air; and rising damp, caused by ground water.
Inspection cameras
Our leak detection engineers use a range of digital inspection cameras to look into pipes and hard to reach locations looking for pipe damage itself or the tell-tale signs of escaping water.
These include ‘look and see’ mini cameras on flexible probes for looking into cavities and behind pipework.
Pressure Testing
Out Catalyst team will isolate a section of pipework and use a gauge to monitor pressure over time. The experts can then determine if water is escaping based on any drop in pressure.
Types of pressure testing include: Hydrostatic testing, filling and pressurising the system with water; or Pneumatic testing, pressurising the system with dry air or nitrogen.
Flood water removal
We will arrange for fast and safe removal of flood water left behind by a water pipe burst. If necessary, this can involve the installation of pumps to remove water from basements, and collection of water using vacuumation tankers.
Leak Detection – Frequently Asked Questions
What is trace and access leak detection?
Trace and access leak detection is the process of locating the source of a hidden leak so that appropriate access can be made for repair or claim handling. In insurance-led cases, it helps establish where the leak originates and supports the next stage of investigation or remedial work.
Can you support insurance leak detection claims?
Yes. Catalyst supports insurers, loss adjusters, and other stakeholders with investigations that help identify the source of a leak, reduce uncertainty, and provide reporting that can support claim progression.
When is specialist leak detection needed for an escape of water claim?
Specialist leak detection is often needed when the source of water is hidden, intermittent, or difficult to confirm through visual inspection alone.
In escape of water claims, water may travel away from the point of failure, appear in a different part of the building, or continue causing damage without the source being obvious. In these cases, a more targeted investigation can help identify the cause of the leak, reduce unnecessary exploratory work, and provide clear findings for the next stage of repair or claim handling.
What is an escape of water investigation?
An escape of water investigation is used to identify where unwanted water is coming from within or around a property, especially where the source is hidden, intermittent, or difficult to confirm through visual inspection alone.
How do you detect underground water leaks?
Underground water leaks may be identified using a combination of specialist methods, depending on the site and system involved. The aim is to narrow the likely leak location accurately before repair work or excavation begins.
Can a plumber detect a water leak?
Yes, some leaks can be identified by a plumber through visual checks and standard tests, but hidden, intermittent, or underground leaks often require specialist leak detection equipment and a more targeted diagnostic approach.
Do you provide reports for insurers and loss adjusters?
Yes. Catalyst provides detailed reporting to support insurers, loss adjusters, and other stakeholders involved in leak detection, trace and access, and escape of water claims.
