Trace And Access Cover Explained

To deal with a leak in your home, look no further than Rainbow Restoration’s Trace & Access services. But what exactly is Trace and Access, and how does it differ from regular water leak detection?

The key word here is access. After all, once you locate the source, you’ll need to repair it to prevent any further water damage.

The good news is that this kind of service could be covered by your insurance company. In this blog, we explain how – as well as what you can expect when you hire specialists like us.

What is Trace and Access cover?

Trace and Access cover in the context of insurance refers to a type of insurance coverage that helps with the costs associated with locating and accessing a hidden or concealed problem within a property, such as a water leak.

Let’s break the term down:

1. Trace: Refers to the process of identifying the source or location of a problem. In the case of insurance, this could include tracing the origin of a water leak within the property.
2. Access: Involves gaining access to the identified location for repair or mitigation. This might include opening up walls, ceilings, or floors to reach hidden pipes or infrastructure.
3. Trace and Access Cover: This insurance coverage is designed to help policyholders with the costs associated with tracing the source of a problem and accessing it for repair.
   In the event of a water leak occurring within the walls or beneath the floor, insurance coverage may extend to the costs associated with employing specialised equipment or techniques to detect the leak. The insurance policy may also cover the subsequent expenses related to accessing concealed pipes for necessary repairs.
4. Explanation: When an issue arises in a property, especially one that is hidden or not immediately visible, the Trace and Access cover can be crucial. It helps cover the costs incurred in identifying the problem and gaining access to it, which may involve removing or opening up parts of the structure.
   This type of insurance can be valuable in situations where the problem is not apparent and requires investigation and access to concealed areas.

It’s important for property owners to understand the specifics of their insurance policies, including any Trace and Access cover, to ensure they are adequately protected in case of hidden issues or emergencies.

What does Trace and Access cover include?

• Detecting the source of a water leak
• Exposing the leak in order to access it
• Restoration and recovery for damage caused in the access process

What doesn’t it cover?

Not everyone realises that Trace and Access cover doesn’t always cover the actual repair of the water leak. Most insurers exclude this as it’s classed as maintenance so it is worth checking the wording in your policy.

Once the leak has been detected and accessed, repairing the leak is often dealt with independently – either by Rainbow Restoration or the homeowners preferred plumber.

What should I do if I have a water leak?

To prevent further leakage and potential damage, you should firstly turn off your water supply. Then, alert your insurer and contact a professional to locate the source of the leak.

Finding the leak is the hard part. In some cases, the location will be visible but more commonly, you’ll have a hidden water leak requiring a Trace & Access Specialist.

What is involved in Rainbow’s Trace and Access service?

Here at Rainbow Restoration, we have a nationwide network of experienced Leak Detection Technicians utilising a range of specialist equipment to carry out our services.

Thermal imaging

Tracing a water leak using a thermal camera involves identifying surface temperature differences to locate the source of the leak. This is especially useful for heating and hot water leaks.

Acoustic testing

Tracing a leak using acoustic equipment involves using specialist tools to listen for the sound of water escaping from a pipe or source. This is most effective on pressurised pipework such as hot or cold feed pipework, mains water supply pipework or heating pipework.

Tracer gas

Tracing a water leak using tracer gas involves introducing a mixture of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen into the suspected pipework to determine where the tracer gas escapes helping to locate the source of the leak.

Endoscope Surveys

Detecting water leaks using an endoscope camera is a creative and effective approach for inspecting hard-to-reach or concealed areas such as boxed in pipework or areas beneath showers etc.

Dye Testing

Dye testing of waste and drainage pipework is a method used to check for leaks, blockages, or other issues in waste pipework, sewer or drainage systems. This process can help identify problems in the system, such as improper connections, leaks, or obstructions.

Moisture Mapping

Tracing a water leak using moisture mapping involves using various tools and techniques to identify areas of increased moisture or water intrusion within a structure.

Water Analysis

Water analysis involves examining water samples to identify the source of water. This is useful in identification of drainage, waste, mains and rainwater issues.

How Rainbow Restoration can help

Rainbow restoration have been proudly serving the UK for over 30 years. With our experience, expertise and specialist equipment, you can be safe in the knowledge that your water leak will be located and accessed efficiently with the minimum of damage.

What’s more, we’ll restore any resulting damage with minimal downtime to your property.

We can even complete the actual leak repair after exposing the source – just say the word. Learn more about our all-round service here.

Frequently asked questions

Do Trace and Access services include pipe repair?

Pipe repair is generally not covered in a Trace and Access service. However Rainbow Restoration can offer this for an additional fee.

What’s the difference between Trace and Access and Leak Detection?

Leak detection is locates the location of the leak. Trace and Access goes further and allows us to access the leak once located so that a pipe repair can be carried out.

How long does the process of Trace and Access take?

The length of the process depends on how difficult the leak is to locate. At Rainbow Restoration we will always aim to complete this work during the initial visit.

Is Trace and Access cover worth it?

The answer to this is yes!

Water leaks are not uncommon and, without having Trace and Access cover, the cost of locating and exposing a leak (as well as restoring any damage) would need to be paid for by you the homeowner. That’s why many people choose to include this cover in their home insurance policy.

Updated: 20/11/23