Accredited & certified
Independently audited and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards for quality, environmental and occupational health & safety management.
Non-destructive leak detection across Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2012. Acoustic listening, thermal imaging, tracer gas, no ripping up your floors or walls before we know where the leak is. Free quote, fixed price before we attend.
Altitude Roofing has been finding and fixing leaks across Edinburgh and the Lothians since 2012. Our engineers use non-destructive detection methods, acoustic listening, thermal imaging, tracer gas, to pinpoint the exact source of a leak without lifting floors or opening walls. Most residential surveys are completed within two to four hours. According to the Association of British Insurers, escape of water is consistently one of the most common and costly home insurance claims in the UK, which is why getting the diagnosis right matters as much as the repair.
We cover central heating leaks, mains water supply, underfloor heating, drainage and soil pipes, and structural/roof leak detection. Same-day appointments are often available across Edinburgh, with most standard bookings within 24 to 48 hours. For active leaks, we aim for a two-to-four-hour response.
Independently audited and certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards for quality, environmental and occupational health & safety management.
The biggest cost of a hidden leak isn't usually the repair, it's the destruction caused by guessing where it is. We've been called in after plumbers have lifted entire kitchen floors trying to chase a leak that turned out to be a single joint two metres away. Our acoustic, thermal and tracer gas methods locate the fault to within centimetres before anything gets opened. The property stays intact until we've confirmed the exact location.
We give a fixed price before any engineer attends, no call-out surprises, no extras bolted on after the fact. If we can't locate the leak source, we'll tell you honestly rather than guess.
We use a combination of detection methods to locate leaks accurately without opening walls or floors. The method we use depends on the leak type, the property structure, and what's been ruled out already.
| Method | How it works | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustic listening | Picks up sound signature of escaping water | Pressurised pipework, mains supply | Works through masonry and concrete |
| Thermal imaging | Infrared camera detects moisture temperature anomalies | Underfloor heating, hidden wall leaks | No drilling required at this stage |
| Tracer gas detection | Non-toxic gas (5% hydrogen / 95% nitrogen) traced via surface sensor | Pinpoint fault location to within centimetres | Below the flammable threshold, safe for use |
| Pipe location equipment | Maps route of buried or concealed pipework | Pre-investigation mapping | Confirms what's under the floor before work begins |
Every leak investigation follows the same approach. Rule out, narrow down, pinpoint, report. The methodical approach is what prevents unnecessary damage to your property.
You receive a fixed price before any engineer attends. No call-out surprises.
On arrival, the engineer reviews the symptoms, checks the water meter for hidden flow, and identifies the most likely systems to investigate first.
Acoustic, thermal imaging, tracer gas, and pipe location equipment used in combination depending on the leak type. Property stays intact throughout.
Exact location identified to within centimetres before anything is opened up.
You receive a written report detailing the location and nature of the leak, formatted for insurance Trace and Access claims where applicable.
We carry out most common leak repairs ourselves (pipe joints, radiator connections, mains supply pipes). For structural or drainage repairs, we recommend a trusted contractor from our network.
Leak detection costs vary by leak type, property size and how many systems need investigating. Single-system checks (e.g. central heating only) sit at the lower end. Multi-system investigations and larger properties run higher. Complex commercial or underground leaks may take longer and cost more, we confirm the price before attending.
Some home insurance policies include Trace and Access cover, which can fund the cost of professionally locating a leak. Our reports are formatted for Trace and Access claims and we can liaise with your insurer or loss adjuster directly.
We confirm the exact price before any engineer attends.
The figure you agree on the phone is the figure you pay.
Written report formatted for insurance claims, included as standard.
If we can't locate the leak source, we'll tell you honestly rather than guess.
We provide full leak detection coverage across the City of Edinburgh, including New Town, Portobello, Barnton, Trinity and South Queensferry. Our East Lothian coverage extends to North Berwick, and we serve residential and commercial clients across West and Midlothian, including Dalkeith.
Our engineers know Edinburgh's property stock, from tenements with shared risers to modern new-builds with underfloor heating circuits. Where we encounter ageing lead pipework in older sandstone properties, we can recommend you contact Scottish Water or an appropriate contractor for replacement advice. For active leaks, we aim for a two-to-four-hour response across Edinburgh.
A few of the questions we get most often from Edinburgh property owners about leak detection.
Call 0131 203 3027 or fill in the form. We'll confirm a fixed price before any engineer attends, and same-day appointments are often available across Edinburgh.
Free survey, fixed-price quote, no pressure. We'll visit anywhere in Edinburgh or the Lothians within 24 hours.