A water bill that has crept up, a meter that keeps turning, or the faint sound of running water at night can all point to a leak you cannot see. Voltify Contractors provides property maintenance in Stratford New Town as part of its documented E15 coverage, including plumbing repairs and the electrical, decorating and handyman work that often follows a leak. Before booking, a simple meter check can confirm whether there is a leak and roughly where to look for it.
Confirm it with a 30-minute meter test
If your home has a water meter, Thames Water’s leak guidance sets out this check. Your own water company’s advice may be worded differently, but the method is the same.
- Make sure all taps and water-using appliances are off.
- Turn off the inside stop valve, which is usually under the kitchen sink.
- Read the meter and write the figure down.
- Wait 30 minutes without using any water, then read it again.
If the two readings match, there is no leak on that stretch of pipe. If the meter has moved while your stop valve was closed, water is escaping somewhere between the meter and that valve, which for a meter outside the home usually means the underground supply pipe. To check the pipework and fittings inside, repeat the test with the stop valve open but nothing in use. If the meter only moves then, the leak is inside the home, and a toilet is a common culprit.
In a block of flats the meter may be inside the flat, in a shared cupboard, or not fitted at all. If you cannot find it or tell which one is yours, ask the managing agent before relying on the test.
Where hidden leaks usually turn up
| Where | Signs to look for | Usual next step |
|---|---|---|
| Toilet cistern | Water trickling or rippling at the back of the pan, or the cistern refilling on its own. Thames Water suggests leaving a dry sheet of toilet paper at the back of the pan for a few hours to show a slow leak. | Repair or replace the fill valve or flush valve through plumbing repairs |
| Taps and shower mixers | A steady drip, or water still running into the basin or shower tray when turned off | New washer or cartridge, or a replacement tap if parts are no longer available |
| Washing machine or dishwasher connections | A damp cupboard base, swollen kickboard or water pooling behind the appliance | Replace the valve, hose or seal; reconnecting the appliance falls under appliance installation |
| Pipes under floors or behind boxing | A damp patch that keeps spreading, lifting flooring, or a stain on the ceiling below | Trace and repair the pipe, then reinstate the boxing or flooring |
| Supply pipe outside the home | Damp patches outside in dry weather, cracked paving or a drop in water pressure | See who is responsible below before booking |
Whose pipe is it?
According to Thames Water’s pipe responsibility guidance, the water company looks after the water main and the pipe up to your property boundary, while the supply pipe from the boundary into the home and all the pipework inside are the owner’s responsibility. Shared supply pipes are the joint responsibility of the properties they serve. If you rent, report a suspected leak to your landlord or letting agent first, as repairs to the water supply and fixed plumbing are normally theirs to arrange.
After the leak: drying out and making good
Fixing the pipe is only part of the job. If water reached light fittings, sockets or a ceiling rose, leave those circuits off and have them checked through electrical services before using them again. Damaged plaster, boxing, skirting and flooring can be put right through handyman and property maintenance. Stained ceilings and walls should be left to dry fully before painting and decorating, usually with a stain-blocking coat first so the mark does not bleed through fresh emulsion.
Booking a leak repair in Stratford New Town
When you get in touch, share your meter readings, whether the stop valve was open or closed, and photos of any damp. That tells the plumber where to start and makes the visit more efficient. Standard working hours are 7am–5pm, Monday to Friday, and the documented standard minimum call-out is £80 for the first hour, with the final price depending on what is found. A slow hidden leak can usually wait for a standard-hours visit; water you cannot stop is different, and out-of-hours emergency call-outs are available at different pricing. Call 020 3411 1855 or email info@voltifycontractors.co.uk.
Stratford New Town is part of the same E15 coverage as Stratford, West Ham and Stratford Marsh. See areas we cover for the full list, or view all services.
