# Trace and Access Nottingham | Insurance Leak Tracing | Notts Leak Detection > Trace and access in Nottingham: hidden leaks found, opened up and documented for your insurer's claim, then made good. Open 7 days, 9am–7pm. URL: https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/trace-and-access/ 1. [Home](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) 2. Trace and Access # Trace and Access in Nottingham for Insurance Claims [Notts Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/) carries out trace and access work across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: the hidden leak is found, opened up with as little damage as possible, and written up in the form your insurer needs for the claim. Book trace and access 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/) Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. ![Engineer using a thermal imaging camera over a lifted section of floor during a trace and access job in Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/engineer-checking-lifted-floor-with-thermal-camera-trace-and-access-nottingham.webp) - Escape of water claims - Non-invasive tracing first - Photos before, during and after - Written report for your insurer - Acoustic, thermal and tracer gas - Access made good Last updated: 28 September 2026 Trace and access is the insurance term for finding a hidden leak and getting to it. Many buildings insurance policies include it, as part of or alongside escape of water cover. It pays to locate the leak and open up the floor, wall or ground to reach it, plus making good the damage caused doing so. The repair to the pipe itself usually isn’t covered. For a local price comparison, trace and access in Nottingham is published [from £495](https://www.leakdetectionnottingham.co.uk/trace-and-access/). ## Why the tracing method matters to the claim A leak under a floor, behind a wall or under a drive can be found in two ways: by opening things up until it appears, or by locating it from the surface first. The second usually means less to put right afterwards, for you and for your insurer. Non-invasive tracing uses the right tool for the pipe: - meter and pressure tests to confirm there is a leak and which part of the system it is in; - acoustic listening and leak noise correlation on pressurised pipes; - thermal imaging for hot water and central heating pipes, where the warm pipe shows up through a floor or wall; - tracer gas, a non-flammable 5% hydrogen mix, for quiet leaks and pipes under solid floors and hard surfaces. ## What your insurer needs Insurers usually want the same things: where the leak was, what caused it, how it was found, and photos showing the damage before and after access. The written report covers all of them, along with the method used and the work needed to repair it. Ring your insurer before booking. Most want the claim logged first, some set a limit for trace and access, and your excess applies. Book with the claim reference so the report goes to the right place. ## Leaks outside the house Trace and access work isn’t only indoors. A leak on the [underground supply pipe](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) or under a [concrete floor](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/leak-under-concrete-floor/) is traced the same way. If the leak turns out to be on Severn Trent‘s side of the boundary, it isn’t yours or your insurer’s to pay for, and you can report it free on 0800 783 4444. ## What's included - Claim reference and insurer contact taken at booking - Photos of the damage before any work - Non-invasive tracing: meter, pressure, acoustic, thermal, gas - Leak position marked and photographed - Access opened only where the leak is - Cause of the leak recorded - Written report with method, findings and photos - Access made good or left ready for the insurer's repairer ## How the options compare Trace and Access: options compared Compare Do it yourself Dig-and-hope operator Proper leak detection Finding the leak Guesswork Opening up walls and floors to look Traced from the surface first Damage caused Unpredictable Often more than the leak did One opening over the marked spot Evidence for the insurer None An invoice Report with method, cause and photos Making good Your problem Sometimes left open Agreed at the start ## Related resources - [Learn What does trace and access cover?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/trace-and-access-cover/) - [Decision Guide Escape of water vs trace and access: what is the difference?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/escape-of-water-vs-trace-and-access/) - [Decision Guide How much does leak detection cost in Nottingham?](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/leak-detection-cost/) Water coming up now? 1. 1Turn off your internal stop tap. It is usually under the kitchen sink. 2. 2Water in the road or on the pavement? That is Severn Trent's: call 0800 783 4444 (+448007834444). 3. 3On your side of the boundary? Call us, 9am–7pm, 7 days. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) Standards and rules we work to - Insurer's claim requirements followed - Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 - WRAS-approved fittings on any repair - Non-flammable 5% hydrogen tracer gas Step by step ## What happens, from call to report 1. ### Check the cover Before booking, check your buildings policy includes trace and access, its limit and the excess. 2. ### Trace Meter and pressure tests confirm the leak, then acoustic, thermal or tracer gas equipment locates it. 3. ### Access Only the marked area is opened up, with photos at each stage. 4. ### Report and make good You get the written report for the insurer, and the access is made good or handed over to their repairer. The work ## How the work looks Illustrative photos of the methods and finish described on this page. They are not records of particular customers' jobs. - ![Thermal imaging camera used to trace a hidden leak under a kitchen floor, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/thermal-camera-pointed-at-floor-nottingham.webp) Thermal imaging camera used to trace a hidden leak under a kitchen floor - ![Laminate floorboards lifted and stacked during a trace and access job, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/lifted-laminate-boards-stacked-neatly-nottingham.webp) Laminate floorboards lifted and stacked during a trace and access job - ![Small section of wall opened to reach a leaking copper pipe, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/opened-plaster-exposing-copper-pipe-nottingham.webp) Small section of wall opened to reach a leaking copper pipe - ![Floor section made good with new screed after a leak was repaired, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/floor-section-made-good-with-new-screed-nottingham.webp) Floor section made good with new screed after a leak was repaired ![Kitchen floor opened over a leaking copper pipe during trace and access, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/floor-opened-over-leaking-pipe-trace-and-access-nottingham.webp) **Before:** Kitchen floor opened over a leaking copper pipe during trace and access ![The same kitchen floor made good after the leak was repaired, Nottingham](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/images/kitchen-floor-made-good-after-trace-and-access-nottingham.webp) **After:** The same kitchen floor made good after the leak was repaired Got a claim reference? Book the trace and access visit. Hidden leaks traced and documented anywhere in Nottinghamshire. Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/) Questions ## Trace and Access: common questions ### What does trace and access cover pay for? It typically pays to find a hidden leak and to get to it, including making good damage caused during the search. It usually does not pay to fix the leak itself. [What trace and access covers](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/trace-and-access-cover/) explains the common limits. ### Does trace and access cover underground pipes? Often, yes. Many policies include underground supply pipes on your property. Some cap the amount or exclude pipes outside the house, so check the policy wording before booking. ### What is the difference between trace and access and escape of water? Escape of water covers the damage the water causes, such as ruined floors and ceilings. Trace and access covers finding the leak and reaching it. They are usually claimed together. See [escape of water vs trace and access](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/guide/escape-of-water-vs-trace-and-access/). ### Do I need my insurer's approval first? Usually, yes. Most insurers want the claim logged before work starts, and some send their own contractor. Ring them first, then book with their claim reference. ### Are you open 24 hours? No. Lines are open Monday to Sunday, 9am to 7pm. Out of hours, turn off your internal stop tap to stop the flow and call us in the morning. If water is coming up in the road or on the pavement, that is on Severn Trent's side: report it free on 0800 783 4444 (+448007834444). Related ## Related services - ### [Underground Water Leak Detection](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/underground-water-leak-detection/) Pinpoint a leak on the buried pipe between the boundary and your house with acoustic, gas and meter tests before anyone digs. View service - ### [Leak Under Concrete Floor](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/leak-under-concrete-floor/) Pressure-test and trace a leak under a solid floor so only one section is broken out. View service - ### [Water Meter Leak](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/water-meter-leak/) Meter still turning with everything off? Work out whether the water is going on your side or Severn Trent's. View service Find the leak, open up only what's needed, and get the report for your claim. Call to book, or send a quote request and we will ring you back. Lines open Monday–Sunday, 9am–7pm. 0115 839 0791 (+441158390791) [Request a quote](https://nottsleakdetection.co.uk/contact/)