Leak detection in Belgium
A hidden water leak rarely shows in the right place. The meter keeps turning with every tap closed, pressure falls with no water in sight, or musty smells and mould appear while the wall looks dry. Moisture travels along joints and screeds, so the stain is often not the source.
- Final price given before we start
- Up to 2 years warranty on labour
- Emergency line available 24/7
- Direct phone contact: +32 2 000 00 00
Our approach
Leak detection in two phases
First we confirm with a pressure test that there is a leak. Then we locate it with acoustics, thermography, moisture, endoscope or correlation, so opening only follows at the right point.
- 01
Check the complaint, meter and pressure
We ask when the damp appeared and whether the meter still turns with taps closed. A first pressure check separates a pressurised leak from condensation or a waste issue without opening walls for no reason.
- 02
Confirm the leak per circuit
Each water circuit is isolated and held under pressure. A stable circuit is ruled out. Falling pressure confirms there is a real leak on that circuit before we hunt for the exact spot.
- 03
Bound the location with the right technique
With acoustics, thermography, moisture readings or an endoscope we limit the leak to a workable area. For buried pipes we use correlation or a ground microphone. The opening stays as small as possible.
- 04
Report, advice and price for repair
You receive the measured zone, the type of leak and a repair proposal if you want that done. Detection and repair stay separate so the scope of the job remains clear.
Common causes
Where a hidden leak often comes from
Not every hidden leak has the same cause. Corrosion or wear in copper or steel pipes, plastic joints that loosen, pressure that is too high, or a poorly made connection are common origins. Frost exposure can crack a pipe without water showing at once.
A leak under a bathroom floor, in underfloor heating or behind a wall needs a different measurement from a visible coupler. That is why we first confirm whether the circuit loses pressure. That way we avoid opening in the wrong place.
Even a small, slow leak can attack insulation, timber and plaster and encourage mould. In apartments water sometimes travels through shared pipes or down to the neighbour below. Targeted detection limits that follow-on damage.
Related work
From detection to repair or prevention
After locating the leak, repair usually follows, sometimes a wider replacement, prevention, or emergency work when the circuit can no longer be isolated. We match the next step to what we measure.
Signals to watch
Spot a hidden water leak in time
These signs show that water is escaping before the damage grows large. The earlier you call, the more limited detection and repair stay.
- The water meter keeps turning while no tap or appliance is open.
- System pressure drops without a clear draw-off point.
- A damp patch or discoloration that spreads on wall, ceiling or floor.
- A musty smell or early mould with no clear external source.
- Cold or warm patches on a floor when underfloor heating or supply is suspected.
- Complaints from neighbours below about damp while you see no flood.
Until we arrive
What to do while you wait for detection
A few steps limit water damage and speed up the measurement. Do nothing that would damage the pipe further or damage the area.
- 01
Shut the main stopcock if the damp is growing
Close the main water valve to limit further damage. Note where that valve is so you can find it again later.
- 02
Note the meter reading and damp patches
Write down the meter reading with taps closed and mark or photograph damp patches. That helps confirm whether the leak is active.
- 03
Protect furniture and electrical zones
Place towels or a bucket under dripping spots and switch off wet electrical circuits. Do not touch wet sockets.
- 04
Call us with a short description
Say whether the meter is turning, where you see damp, and whether pressure is dropping. That helps us bring the right measuring gear.
Transparent pricing
What determines the price
Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %).
The price of leak detection depends on accessibility, the technique needed and the time to bound the exact zone. A leak on a reachable pipe is not priced like a search under a screed or with correlation on a buried line.
You get a price agreement for detection after a first estimate, and a separate final price for repair once the zone is known. Call us for a first indication, no obligation.
Benefits
- Two-phase method: confirm the leak first, then locate it exactly
- Pressure, acoustics, thermography, moisture and endoscope before opening
- Correlation or ground microphone for buried or hard-to-reach pipes
- Opening kept to the measured location only
- Clear finding, with the repair options
Equipment & techniques
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Question not on the list? We answer it by phone, no obligation.
+32 2 000 00 00What does leak detection cost?
Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %). The final price depends on how accessible the pipes are, the detection technique required and how large an area has to be checked. Once the leak is located, the repair is priced separately.
How do I know there is a hidden water leak?
The most reliable signs are indirect: a meter that keeps turning with taps closed, falling pressure, a rising water bill without higher use, or damp patches and mould with no clear source. Any of those can point to a leak you cannot see.
Do walls or floors have to be opened to find the leak?
Not to search. We first establish the location with non-destructive measurements such as pressure, acoustics, thermography or moisture. Targeted opening only follows at the confirmed point, so the rest of the wall or floor stays intact.
What is the difference between a pressure test and acoustic detection?
A pressure test isolates the circuit and shows whether pressure stays stable. That confirms there is a leak. Acoustic detection then locates the point by following the sound of escaping water along walls and floors. The two methods complement each other.
Can you also find a leak underground or under the floor?
Yes. Buried pipes are traced with pressure testing combined with correlation or a ground microphone. Built-in pipes in a wall or screed are located with acoustics, thermography and moisture readings, without opening along the full length.
Can a small leak really cause serious damage?
Yes. A leak that stays unnoticed for a long time attacks insulation, timber and plaster and can cause mould or structural damage. The earlier the leak is found, the more limited the repair and the cost stay.
When should you call a plumber straight away?
Some signs are worth acting on straight away: a leak you cannot stop, water coming through a ceiling or a wall, a damp patch that keeps spreading, a sudden drop in pressure throughout the house, or water near a consumer unit or an electrical appliance. Close the main stop valve first: it limits the damage while the cause is being traced.
Present in Brussels, in Wallonia and in Flanders
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Cities we serve
Why Van Dijk Home
Without targeted detection, too much finish is often opened for a leak that sits elsewhere. Van Dijk Home confirms the leak first, then bounds the zone with the right measurement, and proposes the repair. Up to 2 years warranty on labour; parts carry the manufacturer’s warranty.
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