Advice with finding a leak

[j-mo]

Hi, we have been told by Thames water and a plumber that we have an underground leak which is causing us to have very high water bills. They've checked the toilets to see if one of them was causing the leak and it isn't that. Thames water say we are using enough water for 8 adults so it is quite substantial. No signs anywhere of water leakage.

any advice on how we go about finding this leak? Thames water have suspended our account for now so we haven't had to pay yet but it's running into the thousands and can't go on indefinitely.

Are there people who specialised in this kind of thing? The plumber who came round didn't seem keen to get involved, although that could be because he suggested the whole downstairs would need digging up to find it. I'm wondering if there is some kind of water detector device that could be used to find where it is?

Could it be a faulty meter? It stops when the stopcock is turned off.

Anyone had a similar experience?

Anyone got suggestions for someone who could help?

Thanks

J-mo

[GinaG3]

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Water-Leak-in-Your-House

Try these steps. I feel your pain, my parents went through extensive assessments to find a leak that was costing them greatly a few years ago. Luckily my dad had knowledge of plumbing and pipework and after much detective work was able to isolate the problem. If you haven't already done so I suggest you try all of the tips above. I think my parents problem turned out to be the hot water tank and an upstairs bathroom of which there were 6 which all needed checking individually, the whole heating/hot water system was in desperate need of re-plumbing but got put off a further 4 years with no problems since.

If you have shut off the supply and the meter doesn't move this would suggest the leak is INSIDE of the house.

[Piaf]

Oh Eeek! Sorry, not of practical assistance but what a nightmare ...

Jude x

[j-mo]

Thanks GinaG

Useful article.

No hot water tank so can rule that out. Already checked the toilets and showers so not that either. Will look at the other suggestions and see if it can help.

[nymom]

I had an underground leak which was identified by at Thames water. But we could not locate the source. It was actually underground outside of the house but within the border of my property. I had to pay to have the paving stones taken up and different areas dug up until the leak was found. I then had to pay to have new water pipes brought from the area which was Thames waters responsibility to my home all the way down my driveway. It was expensive.

[j-mo]

Thanks nymom, this s my fear.

It's def in the house rather than outside as meter stops when stop cock is turned. Probably even worse as will have to take floors up...