Electronic water leak detection — the complete service guide
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A hidden leak is invisible: it shows up as a bill higher than usual, a damp patch that grows slowly, or a meter that keeps turning with every tap closed. Electronic leak detection is how we locate the leak inside walls, floors and ceilings before anything is opened, so that any breaking, if needed at all, happens at one defined point instead of a random search.
This guide describes the service exactly as we deliver it: what it covers and what it does not, the instruments we use, and the path from booking to report.
What is electronic leak detection?
It is a non-destructive inspection that relies on measuring instruments rather than breaking: we listen for the sound of water escaping under pressure, we measure temperature and moisture differences on surfaces, and we pressure-test the network while it is closed. The goal is three answers: is there really a leak? on which line or area? and what is the nearest point that can be opened to repair it?
“Electronic” means the decision rests on readings that can be documented in the report, not on guesswork. The result is still an estimated location that the opening and repair confirm; that is why the report states a confidence level and a location range instead of claiming a precision we cannot prove.
When do you need it?
- A higher water bill with no change in use, or a meter that moves with every valve closed (see the meter test).
- Damp patches, peeling paint or salt deposits on a wall or ceiling, especially below a bathroom or kitchen or above a ground floor.
- A continuous hissing or trickling sound in a wall or under tiles with taps closed.
- A sudden drop in water pressure in part of the house.
- Sunken or cracked tiles, or a persistent musty smell in a closed space.
- Before buying an older villa or flat, or after a new fit-out (preventive check).
If water is flowing now and you cannot stop it, start with the emergency page and then book the inspection.
How we inspect (method and instruments)
- Interview and visual survey: we listen to your description, photograph the signs and trace the pipe routes from drawings or from the positions of taps and valves.
- Meter and pressure test: we stop consumption and watch the meter, then isolate lines (hot/cold, floor by floor) with their valves to find which line loses pressure.
- Acoustic listening: a ground microphone and a contact microphone on walls and floors pick up the sound of water escaping under pressure; we compare intensity between points to narrow the peak.
- Thermal imaging and moisture: a thermal camera maps the signature of hot or cold water on the surface, and a moisture meter measures how far wetness extends behind paint and tiles.
- Tracer gas when needed: for buried or silent lines we inject a safe hydrogen/nitrogen mix and follow it with a sensitive detector.
- Documentation: photos of readings and positions, a sketch of the probable leak point and its range, and a recommendation on how to open and repair.
Every reading goes into the inspection report; when the technician uses Kashf Pro tools the readings also feed the unified brain, which merges acoustic and thermal evidence into one estimate with its confidence stated.
What the service includes and excludes
Included: instrument inspection of every accessible line, the leak range, the numbered technical report, a repair recommendation and an on-site explanation.
Not automatically included: the repair itself, breaking and making good, and waterproofing. These are offered as a separate written quote after the inspection and start only with your approval. If you ask for the repair in the same visit and it is feasible, it is written into the quote before work starts.
The inspection cannot reveal what is physically unreachable (for example a line under foundations that cannot be isolated); in that case we say so plainly and propose the alternative.
How the service runs, step by step
- Booking
From the order form, the app or WhatsApp: service, city, the signs you noticed and photos if you have them. You get a confirmation and the team calls to set the time.
- Before the visit
We send the technician card and visit code when that feature is on, plus a short list of what we need from you: access to the meter, tank and valves, and a recent bill if available.
- On-site inspection
Usually one to three hours depending on the property size and number of lines. We explain what we are measuring as we go.
- Result and report
A verbal explanation on site, then the numbered technical report with its verify code shortly after the visit, including photos, readings and the recommendation.
- Repair (optional)
A written quote for any proposed repair or waterproofing. After completion a warranty certificate with a verify code is issued for the executed work.
What you receive
- A numbered inspection report with verify code and QR: signs, readings, photos, leak range, confidence level and repair recommendation.
- A clear explanation of what was found and not found, and the next step.
- A written repair quote if you want one — no work starts before your approval.
- A warranty certificate for executed work (repair/waterproofing), verifiable on the verification page.
- The report added to the property’s home file when that feature is on.
How pricing works
Published inspection fee: 150.00 SAR (VAT included). Any further work is quoted after the on-site assessment, in writing, before it starts.
What affects the price: property size, number of floors and lines, whether pipework is exposed or buried, whether tracer gas is needed, and distance. If an inspection fee is published above it is fixed for the visit, and any repair is priced separately. Read the leak detection cost guide to understand what goes into pricing.
Verifying the report and warranty
Every inspection report and warranty certificate we issue carries a serial number, a verification code and a QR code. Enter the code on the verification page to confirm the document really came from us, that it has not been altered or revoked, and the warranty expiry date where one applies. A buyer, landlord or insurer can verify it the same way without contacting us.
Frequently asked questions
Does the inspection require breaking?
Not at the inspection stage; the instruments work from the surface. If a leak is confirmed and you decide to repair, the opening is only at the point the inspection identified and as small as possible.
How long does the visit take?
Usually one to three hours for an average flat or villa. Large properties or multiple lines may need a longer visit or two visits, and we tell you before starting.
What if you find no leak?
We write that in the report with the readings that support it (meter stable, pressure held, no sound or moisture) and explain the likely alternative causes of what you noticed, such as condensation, a neighbour’s leak or rainwater.
Do I need to shut off the water before you arrive?
No. Just make sure the meter, line valves and tank are accessible and that power is available for the instruments.
Can you detect hot-water leaks?
Yes, and they are among the easiest because the thermal camera draws the hot-water path on the surface clearly.
How is this different from a regular plumber?
A plumber repairs what is visible. Electronic detection finds what is not visible before opening, saving random breaking and giving you a documented report you can verify or present to another party.
Is the report accepted by the water company or an insurer?
The report is a technical document issued by our registered establishment with a verify code. Acceptance depends on the receiving party’s policy; we cooperate by clarifying any item on request.
Is the inspection safe for finishes?
Yes; the instruments only touch the surface. Tracer gas is a non-flammable mix at the concentration used and is applied only to isolated lines.
On-site service is available in Saudi Arabia; the guides and tools can be read anywhere.
This page is informational and educational. Confirming a leak, an insulation condition or a pest infestation always requires an on-site assessment, and structural questions are for a licensed engineer. We do not publish promises we cannot prove.