Leak repair in Avonmouth

Signs of a hidden leak

• Stains on ceilings, often under a bathroom or toilet
• Damp patches, bubbling paint or loose tiles
• A musty smell in a cupboard
• Soft or lifting floorboards
• Running water sounds when everything is off
• A heating system that keeps losing pressure
• A water bill that’s higher than usual

A check you can do

If you have a water meter, turn off every tap and appliance, note the reading, and leave it an hour without using water. If the number has moved, water is escaping somewhere. Meters are usually in the pavement outside, near the external stop tap.

Where leaks usually start

• Compression joints that have worked loose
• Pipes damaged during later building work
• Worn washers and seals on taps, toilets and valves
• Failed seals around baths and shower trays
• Corroded radiator valves and heating pipework
• Joints where old pipework meets newer materials

Bristol Water describes all the water in its area as moderately hard to very hard. Limescale can stop valves and washers seating properly, so they weep instead of sealing.

How we find and fix leaks

1. We talk it through on the phone to narrow down where to look.
2. We trace the source. Water travels along joists and pipes, so the stain isn’t always directly under the leak.
3. We open up as little as possible, and tell you before we lift anything.
4. We repair it: the joint, pipe section, washer or seal.
5. We check it holds with the water back on.

Supply pipe leaks

The pipe from the water main to the external stop tap is normally the water company’s. From that stop tap into your building, it’s yours. If water is bubbling up in the pavement, contact Bristol Water. If it’s inside your boundary, we can help.

Leaks in business premises

In warehouses and units, pipework often runs high along walls and ceilings, or through areas nobody visits often. A slow leak can go unnoticed until stock or equipment is damaged. If you spot water where it shouldn’t be, shut off the supply and ring us.