How to find out if you have a leak

What a water leak looks like on your bill

As we’ve touched on above, obviously the very first thing to check is your bill. It may well suggest something’s wrong through an unexpected spike in usage, or a rising charge that doesn’t match your normal activity. If you’ve not increased production, brought in new equipment, or changed your hours, but the bill has gone up anyway, a leak could be responsible.

It’s a good idea to check the amount of water used in cubic metres and compare it to previous months. Look out for consistent increases over time, especially if the rise happens outside of seasonal patterns. Also check for changes in your fixed charges or waste return volumes – these sometimes reflect how your wholesaler assesses leakage. If you notice something odd, check your meter reading against the latest bill to make sure the reading used was accurate.

How to carry out a simple meter test

One straightforward way to check for a leak is to use your water meter. First, make sure all taps, machines, toilets and appliances are off; you want no water in use across the entire site. Then find your water meter. This might be inside the building, outside in a pit or chamber, or at the edge of your property line.

Take a meter reading and note both the numbers and the dial position (if there is one). From there, wait for at least an hour, longer if possible, without using any water at all. Then check the meter again. If the reading has changed, it means water has passed through the meter while nothing was in use. That gives a strong indication that there is a leak somewhere on your supply.

Some meters also have a flow indicator – usually a small triangle or wheel that turns when even the smallest amount of water is moving. If this is spinning while everything is switched off, it confirms water is leaving your system through an unknown outlet.

4 signs of a leak inside your premises

Not every leak is visible straight away. Some develop behind walls, under floors or in storage areas where they can easily escape notice from you or your staff. If you’re trying to confirm whether water is escaping inside the building, here are the most common signs to check for. They can appear gradually, so it’s worth walking through the full site at least once with these clues in mind.

• Damp patches on walls, floors or ceilings. These can appear even in areas that are not near sinks or toilets. They may start small but often spread or change colour over time. Damp areas often feel cooler than the surrounding surface, and may show signs of peeling paint or warped materials.

• Mould or mildew. A persistent musty smell or visible spores on surfaces can indicate water accumulating in hidden areas. You may notice this in storerooms, under units, behind appliances, or anywhere with restricted airflow.

• Unexplained sounds. Dripping, hissing or trickling noises inside walls, under floors, or near pipework when no water is being used can all point to internal leakage. These sounds may be faint, especially during working hours, so it may be a good idea to listen carefully during quieter periods.

• Drop in water pressure. If your taps or equipment suddenly run slower or weaker, a leak could be diverting flow from your intended supply. This change in pressure can also cause erratic temperature in hot water systems or trigger low-pressure warnings in machines or boilers.

What to look for around the outside of your site

Leaks outside the building can be just as damaging, and often even harder to spot. You may not notice them unless you check the surroundings regularly. They can sometimes be identified through unusual wet areas in soil, paths or car parks that stay damp even during dry weather. You might see patches of grass that are greener or growing faster than others. Water pooling around drain covers, building edges or inspection chambers can also suggest an issue.

Check for erosion in gravel or soil, or for sinking or cracking in concrete where water might be softening the ground. You should also listen for sound near outside stop taps or valve boxes – sometimes leaks create a quiet hiss or vibration you can hear when you place your ear near the chamber.

What to do if you confirm a leak

If you’ve spotted signs of a leak, the important thing is to act quickly. The first step is to isolate whether the leak is on your side of the supply or the wholesaler’s. (You may need a plumber or leak detection service to confirm this.) If it’s within your boundary, it’s likely your responsibility to fix.

Report the issue to your water retailer, and provide any readings or evidence you’ve collected. Some wholesalers offer leakage allowances or refunds for lost water – this will usually require you to prove the leak has been repaired.

Above all, getting prompt repairs can stop the waste of water. They may also reduce the amount you’re charged for the leaked supply. You might also need to submit meter readings before and after the repair, or provide a dated invoice from the contractor who completed the work. Always check the specific process that your retailer follows for leakage claims, as rules and time limits can vary.

Of course, if for whatever reason you’re not impressed at the service that your water supplier provides, it may be worth considering a switch. If so, that’s exactly where we can help here at The Business Water Shop. Our network of trusted suppliers encompasses the whole of the UK, which makes us the perfect option to get you the most competitive water quotes for your business. We’ve even been able to save some customers up to 55% on their water bills, and you can count on us to use all our resources and industry expertise to get you the best deal.

It only takes a few minutes to get your online quote – so if you’re thinking about moving to switch business water suppliers, there’s never been a better time to do it!