Since 1998
5★ Rated
- Emergency: 07825 348536
- Office: 01787 278511
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Since 1998
5★ Rated
AnglianPHE are Ipswich's specialist leak detection engineers. Using acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging cameras and tracer gas diagnostics, we locate hidden water leaks, underground pipe failures and underfloor heating leaks — without unnecessary excavation or disruption to your property.
From concealed pipe leaks inside your home to buried water mains beneath your garden or driveway, AnglianPHE provides the full spectrum of leak detection and water leak diagnostics across Ipswich and the wider Suffolk area. Every investigation uses professional-grade equipment and genuine expertise.
We use calibrated acoustic listening devices and ground microphones to pick up the characteristic frequency signature of water escaping from pressurised pipes. Highly effective on underground water mains and concealed internal pipework — no guesswork, no unnecessary digging.
Our infrared thermal cameras detect minute temperature differentials caused by escaping water, making them ideal for locating leaks behind plastered walls, under screed floors and within ceiling voids. Fast, non-destructive and highly accurate.
For complex underground pipe diagnostics, we introduce a harmless nitrogen/hydrogen tracer gas mixture under controlled pressure. Our specialist detector identifies precisely where gas permeates the ground surface — pinpointing the leak to within centimetres.
Buried pipes beneath driveways, gardens and external areas fail silently. We use a combination of acoustic correlation, tracer gas and pressure loss testing to locate underground water leaks without disturbing surfaces unnecessarily.
Underground pipe repair →Mains water supply pipes are under constant pressure, making any failure potentially severe. We diagnose external mains leaks from the stop tap to the property boundary, coordinating with Anglian Water where network issues are identified.
Underfloor heating systems are notoriously difficult to diagnose when they fail. We use thermal imaging, pressure testing and specialist pipe tracing equipment to locate leaking circuits without destroying floor finishes.
We use calibrated moisture meters to map the spread of damp within wall and floor structures, enabling us to track water movement back to its origin — particularly useful when water ingress appears remotely from the actual leak source.
Offices, retail units, restaurants and commercial landlords across Ipswich and Felixstowe trust AnglianPHE for rapid, discreet leak investigations that minimise business disruption. We work outside business hours where required.
Finding the leak is only the first step. Our engineers carry out full leak repairs on the same visit where possible — from joint repairs on copper pipe to full pipe replacement on underground supply lines.
Underground water leaks are among the most costly and disruptive plumbing failures a property owner can face. Because the pipework is out of sight, leaks can persist for weeks or months before surface symptoms appear — quietly running up water bills and saturating soil that can undermine foundations and surface materials.
In Ipswich and across Suffolk, we regularly deal with external supply pipe failures, burst underground mains, and deteriorating lead or iron pipework common in older residential areas. If you've noticed an unexplained rise in water bills, a persistently wet patch of garden, subsidence or sinkholes forming in your lawn or driveway, these are reliable indicators of an underground leak requiring professional investigation.
Our no-dig diagnostic approach means we locate the leak precisely before any excavation takes place — keeping disruption and reinstatement costs to an absolute minimum.
As a general rule, the homeowner is responsible for the underground supply pipe from the external stop tap (usually at the pavement) to the internal stop valve. Anglian Water is responsible for the mains network up to that point. We can advise you on where responsibility lies and assist with Anglian Water reporting where needed.
We invest in professional-grade equipment because accurate diagnostics protect you from unnecessary damage and reduce total repair costs. Our engineers are trained in the use of all equipment below.
Detect the pressure-wave sound signature of escaping water through soil, concrete and tarmac. Accurate to ±0.5 metres on buried mains.
FLIR-grade thermal imaging reveals temperature anomalies caused by leaking water within walls, floors and ceilings — fully non-invasive.
A safe N₂/H₂ gas mix is pressurised into the pipe. A calibrated sniffer probe traces where gas escapes at surface level — pinpoint accuracy underground.
Digital pressure gauges confirm leak presence and rate of loss. Allows us to monitor isolation valves and quantify leak severity before investigation.
Calibrated to detect moisture within plaster, screed and timber. Combined with data logging to track damp progression and identify origin points.
Electromagnetic signal injection traces the route of buried pipework, allowing us to map pipe location before any ground investigation begins.
A failing external water main is a serious matter. The supply pipe that runs from the pavement to your property is under constant mains pressure — typically 2–4 bar — meaning even a small joint failure or crack can discharge thousands of litres of water before it becomes visible at the surface.
Our external leak detection engineers in Ipswich are experienced in diagnosing supply pipe failures across a wide range of pipe materials — including blue MDPE, copper, lead and older cast iron. We use acoustic correlation and tracer gas to locate the precise failure point, reducing excavation to the minimum necessary.
Once located, our team can carry out the underground water pipe repair, including full pipe replacement using modern MDPE materials where necessary. We reinstate all excavated areas and provide a written completion report.
Step-by-step, this is how we approach a suspected external mains leak in Ipswich:
Underfloor heating systems, whether water-fed (wet UFH) or embedded in screed beneath tiled or stone floors, are increasingly common across Ipswich's newer residential builds and renovated period properties. When a leak occurs within the underfloor circuit, the symptoms can be subtle — a slowly dropping boiler pressure, slightly warm but uneven floor zones, or unexplained damp appearing at skirting board level.
Attempting to locate an underfloor heating leak without the correct equipment means unnecessary destruction of floor finishes. Our engineers use thermal imaging to visualise the pipe layout and active loops, followed by pressure testing and tracer gas to locate the precise failure point — meaning only the smallest possible area of screed or flooring needs to be disturbed.
Hidden plumbing leaks are rarely immediately obvious, but your property will usually provide clues. If you recognise any of the following, contact our Ipswich leak detection team promptly.
A significant increase in metered water consumption with no change in usage is one of the most reliable indicators of a concealed leak.
Wet patches, tide marks or paint bubbling on internal surfaces often indicate a pipe leak behind the structure — not necessarily directly above the visible mark.
A noticeable drop in mains pressure throughout the property can indicate a significant loss of flow on the supply pipe — a classic sign of an underground or mains leak.
A sealed central heating system that repeatedly needs topping up is almost certainly leaking somewhere — possibly within an underfloor circuit or behind a wall.
Audible water movement when no outlets are open points to a continuous flow somewhere in the system — particularly suspicious if the sound comes from beneath floors or behind walls.
Persistent musty smells or mould appearing in areas away from bathrooms and kitchens often accompanies hidden moisture accumulation from a slow pipe leak.
A notably lush, green stripe of grass running across the garden — particularly in dry weather — may indicate a leaking underground supply pipe directly beneath.
A warm area on a concrete or tiled floor — especially one without underfloor heating — can indicate a hot water pipe leaking beneath the screed.
Cracking paths, sunken lawns or disturbed paving near the route of external supply pipes can be caused by soil erosion from a sustained underground leak.
For homeowners across Ipswich, Kesgrave and the wider Suffolk area, AnglianPHE provides discreet, professional leak investigation that respects your home and your time. We understand that finding a leak specialist near you when you're worried about property damage is stressful — which is why our engineers explain every step clearly before any work begins.
Whether you own a Victorian terrace in the town centre, a modern new-build in Kesgrave, or a rural Suffolk property on a private water supply, our team has the experience and equipment to investigate effectively.
Water leaks in commercial premises carry additional urgency — business interruption, stock damage, tenant complaints and reputational risk all compound the problem if a leak is not identified and resolved promptly. AnglianPHE works with commercial landlords, facilities managers and business owners across Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich to provide rapid, professional leak investigations.
We schedule visits to minimise disruption, can work out of hours, and provide a full written diagnostic report for your insurance claim or building surveyor.
If your home insurance policy covers trace and access or escape of water, having the right documentation from your leak detection specialist is essential. AnglianPHE provides formal leak investigation reports that satisfy most insurers' requirements, detailing the method of detection, the location of the leak and the extent of any associated damage.
Every investigation follows a methodical, evidence-based process. We never guess.
We take a detailed description of symptoms over the phone, review your water meter readings and establish likely leak type and location before attending.
On arrival, our engineer assesses the property, isolates the probable system or zone, and selects the most appropriate diagnostic method.
We deploy acoustic, thermal or tracer gas equipment as required. All methods are non-invasive by design — no opening up of walls until we know exactly where to look.
Once the leak is precisely located, we mark the position and provide a clear explanation of the findings, including what the repair will involve.
We provide a fixed-price repair quote on-site. No pressure — you can take time to decide. Where urgent, we can carry out emergency temporary repairs immediately.
Repair work carried out, all surfaces reinstated, and a completion report issued — including documentation suitable for insurance purposes.
Based in Suffolk and covering the whole of the Ipswich area, AnglianPHE provides fast response leak detection across the region. We regularly serve the following locations, typically with same-day or next-morning response times.
Not sure if we cover your area? Call us and ask — we'll always try to help.
Operating in Suffolk since 1998, AnglianPHE have built a reputation for reliable, honest plumbing and leak detection across Ipswich and beyond.
We use the same diagnostic equipment as specialist leak detection companies — acoustic correlators, FLIR thermal cameras and tracer gas detectors — not domestic-grade substitutes.
Fixed diagnostic callout fees, clear repair quotations and no surprise charges. You'll know the cost before any work begins.
Our engineers are based locally and know the Ipswich area — the typical pipework found in different neighbourhoods, the age of housing stock, and the common failure points.
24/7 emergency call-outs across Ipswich, Kesgrave, Felixstowe and the surrounding area. We understand that water leaks don't wait for business hours.
Formal investigation reports provided for insurance claims, solicitors and loss adjusters. We understand what documentation insurers require.
Unlike some specialist leak detection firms, we carry out the full repair on the same visit where possible — no need to manage multiple contractors.
Our Ipswich customers rate us consistently highly for communication, professionalism and reliability. See our reviews on Google.
Common questions about our leak detection services, costs and methods.
Don't let a hidden leak cause lasting damage. Call AnglianPHE now for fast, professional leak detection across Ipswich, Kesgrave, Felixstowe and the wider Suffolk area.
Operating 24/7 · Gas Safe Registered · NAPIT Approved · Serving Ipswich & Suffolk since 1998