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Household leaks

Around 30% of water lost from leakage comes from homes and gardens. If you think you may have a leak in your home, please don't panic! The good news is that it’s relatively easy to find the cause of the leak.

It's always a good idea to find any leaks as they could be causing damage to your home. If you have a meter, you're also paying for all that leaking water so you are likely to reduce your bill once the leak has been repaired.

Leaking supply pipes

Think you have a leaking supply pipe? We'll walk you through how to test for a leak and what to do next.

Apply for a leak allowance

If you are unlucky enough to discover a leak, find out how you can claim for the cost of water lost during the time you had the leak.

A faulty toilet cistern could be costing you as much as £400 a year!

One of the biggest culprits for leaks in the home are modern push button toilet cisterns. Nearly 80% of all leaks reported to us last year were leaky loos!

  • LOOK into the bowl for any signs of trickling, rippling or flowing water between flushes.

  • LISTEN for the sound of water as it trickles into the bowl or a faint hissing sound as the cistern is constantly refilling.

  • TEST: wait half an hour after the last flush, dry the back of the toilet bowl before placing a piece of dry toilet paper on it. You’ll soon see the toilet paper get wet if water is trickling down into the toilet from the cistern. If you spot this is happening, you’ve probably got a leaky loo.

Click here for more advice
Water meter icon

Use your water meter to check for leaks

You can use your water meter to check your house for leaks. Click the button below to get started.

Perform a leak test

How to locate and operate your internal stop tap.

Stop taps are usually found under the kitchen or downstairs bathroom sinks.

Once you've located your stop tap, you'll need to learn how to use it. Turn the tap clockwise to shut off the water and anti-clockwise to turn it back on.

Important Notice

Cold Weather

After a few freezing cold days in the North West, it looks like the temperature is beginning to rise.

As the weather warms up over the next few days, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. It's worth taking some steps now to be prepared just in case this happens to you.

  1. Check your pipes in any cold places such as the loft or garage - can you spot any water dripping from the pipe?
  2. Find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water.
  3. Turn off your heating, open all your taps to drain the system quickly.
  4. Soak up any escaping water with towels.
  5. Check with your home insurance company to see if you’re covered for leaks and bursts or call a plumber.
  6. If you need to find a plumber in your area visit www.watersafe.org.uk
  7. If water has leaked near your electrics switch them off at the mains.

For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter.

Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

As the weather warms up, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter. Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

Cold Weather

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