247 Rapid Response
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Nitrogen tracer-gas regulator and gauges set up next to a bathroom sink during a leak-detection callout

Leak detection

Trace & access for insurance across London

Specialist trace & access for insurance as part of our 24/7 leak detection service. Same fixed pricing, same 30 to 60 minute target response, same 12-month guarantee.

30 to 60 min target response12-month guaranteeGas Safe Registered
30-60 MINResponse time
12 MOWorkmanship guarantee
FULLYInsured & accredited
24/7365 days a year

Most home insurance policies in the UK include a specific cover called 'trace and access', covering the cost of finding a hidden leak source and the controlled access (cutting tiles, lifting floorboards, opening wall sections) needed to expose the leak for repair. The cover is usually £5,000 to £10,000 per claim, separate from the actual escape-of-water damage cover.

The trouble is that most homeowners don't know this cover exists, and most general-purpose plumbers don't invoice in a format that insurers will accept. The result: customers pay out of pocket for work their insurance would have covered.

We invoice trace-and-access work separately, in the format insurers expect, with all required photographic and report evidence, and where the policy permits, we'll deal directly with your insurer on your behalf, so you don't pay anything out of pocket and don't have to handle the claims process yourself.

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When We Use This

Where this service applies

  • ✅ Hidden leaks under floors causing ceiling damage to flat below
  • ✅ Active heating-system leaks on buried pipework
  • ✅ Concealed leaks in walls supporting mould or staining
  • ✅ Trace-and-access for storm or freeze-damage water leaks
  • ✅ Leasehold flat leaks (managing-agent claim coordination)
  • ✅ Buy-to-let landlord property leak claims
  • ✅ Complex multi-source leak investigations
Our Process

How we deliver

No surprises, no upselling. The exact path every job follows.

  1. 1
    Initial site visit & insurance check
    We confirm the leak symptoms and verify your trace-and-access cover with you (or your broker).
  2. 2
    Full leak investigation
    Thermal imaging, acoustic, moisture mapping, tracer gas as required.
  3. 3
    Insurance-grade written report
    All findings documented in the format your insurer requires.
  4. 4
    Direct claim submission
    With your written authority, we submit the claim and required documentation to your insurer.
  5. 5
    Controlled access cut
    Once approved, we make the precise access cut needed to expose the leak.
  6. 6
    Repair quote (separate)
    We quote the actual repair separately so it can be covered under your escape-of-water claim.
  7. 7
    Restoration work
    Where covered, we handle the make-good restoration to bring the property back to pre-incident state.
  8. 8
    Final claim closure
    Documentation submitted, insurer settles directly with us.
Frequently Asked

Your questions answered

Does my home insurance cover trace and access?
Most UK home insurance policies include trace-and-access cover, typically £5,000,10,000 per claim. Check your policy schedule or call your broker, it's a standard inclusion on most policies but easy to miss in the wording.
Will using my insurance affect my premium?
Some insurers treat trace-and-access claims separately from the escape-of-water claim itself. Others bundle them. Effect on premium varies by insurer. We can advise based on your specific policy and recommend whether to claim or pay out of pocket.
Can you really handle the insurance claim for me?
Yes, with your written authority (a simple form we provide), we deal directly with your insurer or loss adjuster, submit reports, manage the documentation, and settle invoices directly. You don't pay anything out of pocket on covered work.
What if my insurance doesn't cover it?
We'll tell you upfront before any work starts. If trace-and-access isn't covered or the claim is declined, you can choose to pay our standard fees instead, see our pricing. We never start work assuming insurance will pay.
What about restoration work after the leak is fixed?
Most policies cover restoration to pre-incident state (re-tiling, repainting, replacing damaged finishes) under the escape-of-water claim. We provide the restoration service ourselves and bill the insurer, meaning you have a single point of contact for the entire process. More details →
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30 to 60 minute response across every London borough. Gas Safe registered. 12-month workmanship guarantee.

FAQ

Trace & access for insurance: your questions

How fast can you reach me for trace & access for insurance?
Typical on-site time is 30 to 60 minutes across the M25, subject to engineer availability and traffic. Live dispatch, never queued. Times quoted are best-effort targets, not contractual guarantees.
What does trace & access for insurance typically cost?
Labour is one flat rate across London and the M25, billed per 30 minutes: from £75 / 30 min (daytime) up to £147 / 30 min (nighttime), with a one-hour minimum then 30-minute increments. There is no callout fee. Domestic prices shown inc VAT, no hidden extras. Fixed-price conversion available on most jobs after diagnosis. Full rate card.
Is the work guaranteed?
Yes. Trace & access for insurance carries the same 12-month workmanship guarantee as every other leak detection job we do.
Are you Gas Safe registered?
Yes. Gas Safe Register number 972173. Verifiable live at gassaferegister.co.uk before our engineer walks in.

Need trace & access for insurance now?

30 to 60 minute response across every London borough. Gas Safe registered. 12-month workmanship guarantee.