Is there a way of identifying if you actually do have a leak? (hive leak sensor)

[ElCI]

Tonight I had a high water usage alarm from my hive leak sensor, I also had one 4 days ago (at roughly the same time). I'm not convinced by these sensors, I believe they work by monitoring the temperature of the pipe so now the nights are getting a bit colder it could be causing spurious alarms.

I'm wondering though if there a way to 1st identify if there really is a leak? Can you install a flow meter in the pipework for example?

I've checked the (small number) of accessible places on my pipework and can't see any leaks, I don't want to start ripping up laminate flooring to look for a leak that isn't there

Thanks

 

[footprints]

Low tech is the answer forget the hive, water board still use a listening stick. A metal rod with a knob on top, put the rod down the outside tap hole rest on the pipe and put your ear to the knob you will hear water passing through the pipe.

 

[ScottishGasMan]

If youve a stopcock in the house the easy method is to just fit a pressure gauge after it, lets you see the pressure of the mains standing and running, and to test for leak all you do is close the stopcock and pressure should stay the same, if it starts to drop then theres water leaking somewhere

 

[dilalio]

If you have a water meter, just take a reading before and after an extended period, during which, you "ensure" no water draw off is made within the property.

 

[dilalio]

Attended a certain celebrity's house yesterday and they are losing copious amounts of water "somewhere"!
It's almost open pipe situation and has been for years... They had no idea and have only just been informed by the water board.
No signs of any structural or fabric damage and there are no unusually lush growths of vegetation around the property, so we're going on the theory that it must be going into a drain somewhere.
Further investigations to commence shortly.