Are specialist leak finding companies worth it?

[NoNeeeed]

Hi there.

Our central heating has developed a slow-ish leak. I've had to top it up about three times since Christmas. It needs about a second or two of filling every two to three weeks. I've checked all the radiators etc and can't see anything obvious, so I'm assuming it's either under the floor or something in the boiler. I've checked the PRV outlet pipe and judging by the spiders webs it's not that.

After a bit of googling I've come across a few companies who appear to specialise in leak finding and fixing. Most of them seem to be national firms that advertise heavily. Does anyone have any recommendations/warnings about these services? Do they actually do anything that a normal plumber whouldn't do, is their equipment something that most plumbers don't have?

I'm weighing up whether to use one of these services, find a local plumber, or talk to a property maintenance company (since there's a good change it might require things like tiles replacing once fixed if it's the underfloor at fault).

Any suggestions or guidance would be really appreciated.

 

[ianmcd]

all depends on many things sometimes these companies can work, but a hit and miss a lot of the times and unlikely to find a leak that small

 

[HERTS P&D]

Once you contact one of these companies, I think you will be in for a shock. A customer near me called one out and was charge £700 plus vat to locate the leak. There was no fixing the problem in that charge.

He called me out and I pointed out that due to the damp mark in his downstairs cupboard which backed onto the toilet, I told him it was obvious where it was.

Andy

 

[Ihavenojob]

What boiler? Some have an inbuilt automatic air release valve which could be passing slightly and then drying up, or just air/gas in the system and the AAV letting it out. If not, I would let it be as it seems so minimal.

 

[Razor900]

I don’t know anyone that’s had a genuinely good experience with a leak detection company but I’ve heard a lot of complaints…

 

[Notch7]

He called me out and I pointed out that due to the damp mark in his downstairs cupboard which backed onto the toilet, I told him it was obvious where it was

I bet he wished he had called you first……

 

[Notch7]

I don’t know anyone that’s had a genuinely good experience with a leak detection company but I’ve heard a lot of complaints…

Im thinking leak detection is an industry like rising damp companies…..and maybe party wall surveyors.

oh and drain clearance companies.

 

[HERTS P&D]

I bet he wished he had called you first……

He did say that.



Andy

 

[Friday round]

Why don’t you pour a bottle of old fragrance in when you fill it back up and sniff it out?