Case Study: Proving a Hidden Leak in an Exeter Home

A real DCI job: a worried Exeter family, a sceptical gas engineer, and the video evidence that proved the leak so the boiler cover paid for the repair.

Last updated: 1 September 2026 · DCI Leak Detection · A real job from our records, published with the details anonymised

The job at a glance

Exeter, August 2025. An unexplained leak at an elderly grandmother's home, a family increasingly worried, and a gas engineer certain the problem was something else. Found on the first visit, with video evidence of the leak supplied so everyone could see exactly where it was. The boiler cover provider then handled the repair.

The problem: everyone had an opinion, nobody had the leak

The enquiry came from a family member on behalf of her grandmother, whose home had the classic signs of a hidden leak and a household understandably anxious about it. The complication was human rather than technical: the gas engineer involved was confident the fault lay elsewhere, and without hard evidence the situation was going in circles.

Finding it: booked Thursday, found Friday

The enquiry landed on the Tuesday, was booked for that week, and we attended at 9am from our Saltash base. The leak was pinpointed on the same visit. Because the finding was going to be questioned, we recorded video of the leak as found, so the family and the engineer could see precisely where the water was escaping rather than taking anyone's word for it.

The outcome: evidence unlocked the repair

With the location proven, the household's boiler cover took over and handled the repair, which is exactly how it should work: we find and evidence the fault, and the cover provider fixes what has been demonstrated to them. The family thanked us the same day, and no find, no fee had been agreed up front, so the risk of a wasted visit had sat with us, not with them.

What this job shows

  • Evidence ends arguments. A pinpointed, recorded leak turns "we think" into "here it is", which matters when engineers, insurers or cover providers need convincing. Our reports and footage exist for exactly that.
  • Detection and repair cover work together. Boiler and home cover often pays for the fix once the fault is proven: see our guide to trace and access cover.
  • Worried households get priority. Enquiry Tuesday, attended Friday morning, found the same day.

Got a leak that needs finding?

DCI Leak Detection finds hidden water, heating and pool leaks across Cornwall and Devon using tracer gas, acoustic listening and thermal imaging, with an insurer-ready trace and access report on every job. No find, no fee on residential work, subject to terms.

Call Dickie on 07822 025 911 Fast response across Cornwall & Devon · Insurance-approved reports · More case studies

Think you have a hidden leak?

🚨 Is Your Home Leaking Money?

Spot these red flags before it’s too late:

– 💸 Unexplained rise in bills
– 🔍 Damp patches or mould
– 💧 Weak water pressure
– 👂 Mysterious dripping sounds
– ⚠️ Walls that look warped
– 🏠 Visible water stains
– 👃 Musty or damp smells

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