Due to the complexity of heating systems/boilers and that these are often contaminated with rust and issues relating to deteriorated seals, we do not carry out heating leak detection on a ‘no find – no fee’ basis.

On rare occasions, there are problems getting a heating system to work properly. All heating systems ‘should’ be able to be drained and refilled without issue but there are times where they just don’t want to comply (normally due to excessive corrosion or a worn component) and this is beyond our control, . Often it is simply a case of bleeding air from the system, with a bit more pressure in the system than usual, but there are times where you will need to use a heating engineer, who can also likely fix the leak we found anyway!

1. Inspection Access:
   a. We need to ‘see’ the maximum area of floor possible; these areas need to be as uncluttered as possible.
   b. We only undertake destructive access under instruction.
   c. Method of detection is at the discretion of our engineer.
   d. We will try to work around limited access, heavily cluttered areas, refusal of methods or refusal/lack of access may result in our engineer being unable to conclude his work & our full fee will be due.
   e. In multiple occupancy property (shared accommodation or flats) we may need access to the adjacent property(s). Where this access is not possible, or the leak is traced to beyond the client’s property, this will be a chargeable leak detection visit.
2. Fees & Payment:
   a. Our ‘no find no fee’ leak detection is per visit for domestic customers only for leaks on hot/cold pipework and water mains, it excludes commercial leak detection as well as damp/roof investigation and swimming pool leak detection. Please note that due to the complexity of heating systems/boilers and that these are often contaminated with rust and leak seal, we do not carry out heating leak detection on a ‘no find – no fee’ basis.
   b. For successful location of a significant leak, where we suspect more leaks are present we will attempt to detect these, however the first leak may disguise additional leaks.
   c. Additional visits if required, are charged at the current rate, but we will try to identify everything in a single visit.
   d. Parking is chargeable as are parking tickets caused by no parking available (e.g property is on a red route or has no parking available).
   e. On successful leak detection, payment is due before our engineer leaves. Credit/debit card, cash or BACS are acceptable forms of payment. Cheques are not accepted.
   f. When appointments are made where payment is not to be made directly to our engineer on site (e.g. landlords/letting agents), payment must be made in advance.
   g. Reports are only released after payment has been made in full.
   h. Repairs are an additional cost, we will advise on the cost and if the repair is permanent or temporary.
   i. Repairs carry a 100-day warranty, unless stated as temporary.
3. Access, Repairs & Re-commissioning of heating systems:
   a. When requested our engineer will refill and bleed air from the heating system as is practical. We recommend air is bled again a week later by the occupier to remove any remaining air.
   b. Where a heating system will not work properly after leak detection has been carried out, this may require the attendance of a heating/boiler engineer. NI Leak Finder do not accept liability for works required from a system being drained for leak detection..
4. Refusal of repair/re-commissioning:
   a. In the rare occasion where our engineer considers an installation dangerous or beyond repair, we reserve the right to refuse repair and/or re-commissioning even after successful leak detection.
   b. Reasons for a refusal could be poor ventilation of a gas appliance, incorrect plumbing of an un-vented cylinder, fire hazard, liquid leak seal or degraded pipework where further leaks are inevitable.
   c. This is at the discretion of the engineer on site and the leak detection fee is applicable.
5. Leak detection & localization:
6. Using a range of equipment, we will localize a leak to a specific area; there are certain limits to non-invasive methods and materials can shift detection results and may enlarge the area of repair to both pipe work and flooring.
   b. Ducting, sheathing and glued vinyl can block trace gas leak detection. In the case of a floor covering over a solid floor blocking access, we will endeavour to localize with other methods (damp, thermal, acoustic).
   c. In the case of a sprung floor we can locate a room or area of the leak, as the gas used will spread in the void localization is much harder. Using thermal and sound equipment we will endeavour to reduce this area.
   d. Our equipment can ‘set’ liquid leak seal (temporarily fixing the leak) it is imperative that we know if leak seal is in the system, as the use of leak seal can invalidate your boiler warranty. Systems where leak seal has been used are not covered under our ‘no find-no fee’ service.
   e. Leak detection is also considered successful where we find no leak is present (e.g. after incorrect or mistaken water authority notification).
   f. Leak detection may identify an issue (such as a boiler fault causing pressure loss) by a process of elimination. Leak detection is considered successful (see 6.e) where heating systems have been tested and found not to leak and results indicate a thermal or boiler fault.
7. Damage, Liability & Complaints:
   We accept no liability for:
   a. Damage during normal activities, to detect, access and/or repair a leak.
   b. Damage caused by undetected leaks.
   c. Failure of a repair connected to existing pipework.
   d. Blockage/failure from leak detection, access or repair.

Where a repair is made to an indicated area and there is further leakage found not to be from the original location (a different, concurrent or subsequent leak) re-attendance is charged at the standard rate.

8. Reports, Images & Documentation:
   All reports, photographs and documents remain the property of NI Leak Finder. Their dissemination, distribution and/or publication is at the discretion of NI Leak Finder who reserve the right to store documentation and images obtained during inspection and use these as seen fit, including training, advertising and publication. Information is presented ‘as is’ with no warranty as to accuracy and is intended for guidance only. No expenditure should be undertaken based on information conveyed in reports or verbally.