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1.1 “A.D.S” means Advanced Detection Services.
1.2 “Contract” means the agreement between the Customer and A.D.S incorporating these Terms and Conditions.
1.3 “Customer” means the individual, firm or company requesting services from A.D.S.
1.4 “Materials” means any materials or equipment supplied and/or installed by A.D.S as part of the Services.
1.5 “Services” means leak detection investigations, testing, tracing, excavation, pipe repairs and re-runs, reinstatement works, professional drying, reporting, and any other associated works provided by A.D.S.
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2.1 Due to the size and weight of equipment used by A.D.S, free and accessible parking within 50 metres of the property is required where possible. Where parking permits are necessary, these must be provided by the Customer. If suitable parking is not available within 50 metres and/or permits are not provided, any parking charges or penalties incurred will be payable by the Customer at cost.
2.2 The Customer is responsible for ensuring adequate access to all relevant areas required to carry out the Services. This may include access to other properties (particularly in multi-occupancy buildings), stopcocks and inspection chambers (manholes). If adequate access is not available and testing cannot be completed, standard charges will still apply and any return visit will be chargeable.
2.3 A.D.S will use reasonable endeavours to work around restricted access. However, heavily cluttered areas or refusal of necessary access may prevent our engineers from completing their work. In such cases, our standard fees will remain payable.
2.4 If the Customer refuses any proposed testing methods and this prevents A.D.S from continuing the investigation, standard charges will remain payable.
2.5 If A.D.S is unable to gain access to the site at the agreed time, our engineer will wait for up to 30 minutes from the confirmed booking or arrival time. Waiting time is chargeable. Our engineer and/or office will attempt to contact the Customer by telephone and email. If contact cannot be established and access is not granted within 30 minutes, we will leave site and a cancellation fee of £295.00 will be payable. Any return visit will be charged at our standard rates.
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3.1 It is not possible to predict how long it will take to locate a leak.
3.2 A.D.S will make every reasonable effort to locate all leaks within the scope provided by the Customer; however, no guarantee can be given regarding the time required or the number of visits needed.
3.3 A.D.S accepts no responsibility for damage caused by leaks that remain undetected.
3.4 Leak detection investigations are carried out in accordance with the information provided by the Customer. If the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete and this affects the investigation, A.D.S accepts no liability and standard charges will apply.
3.5 Our testing is designed to identify leaks in water supply pipework. Testing will generally be carried out up to the point where appliances are isolated (e.g., washing machines, dishwashers, shower mixers) to avoid damage to appliances designed to operate at standard water pressure. While visual checks may be carried out where possible, inspection of appliances is not a guaranteed service. Customers should arrange specialist inspection if appliance leaks are suspected.
3.6 A.D.S uses a range of specialist equipment to identify the probable location of leaks. While non-invasive techniques are generally more accurate and less disruptive than traditional destructive methods, their accuracy may be affected by certain floor constructions, including ducting, sheathing or plastic membranes. Suspended floors may allow tracer gas to travel away from the source of the leak due to ventilation or void spaces.
3.7 In some circumstances limited invasive works may be required (e.g., removal of bath panels, boxing-in or light fittings). Such work will only be undertaken with the Customer’s express consent. If consent is not provided and further visits are required to continue testing, these will be chargeable.
3.8 Leak sealant products previously added to a plumbing system may interfere with our equipment and could make leak detection significantly more difficult or impossible.
3.9 Some leaks are intermittent, occurring only under specific conditions (for example, when heating systems are hot and under thermal expansion). If a leak is not actively occurring during our visit, it may not be possible to locate it.
3.10 Leak detection may still be considered successful even where no plumbing leak is found. For example, confirmation that no plumbing leak exists can allow further investigation into other causes such as building defects or appliance faults.
3.11 While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of our findings, reports and results are provided for guidance only and without warranty as to accuracy. A.D.S accepts no liability for the interpretation or use of our reports by the Customer or third parties.
3.12 The Customer is responsible for monitoring the property after the investigation and contacting A.D.S if further leaks occur. Properties with multiple leaks on the same system may require more than one investigation.
3.13 Leak detection and repair may sometimes need to be carried out interactively. Where A.D.S is instructed only to locate a leak, and repairs are later undertaken by others, A.D.S cannot accept responsibility if the repair location differs from our indicated findings.
3.14 Plumbing systems should be capable of withstanding standard testing methods, including pressure testing. A.D.S accepts no liability for secondary leaks or failures that occur as a result of testing. Any repair visits required will be chargeable.
3.15 The Customer must inform A.D.S of any non-return valves installed within the system and ensure they are accessible. Failure to disclose their presence may affect testing accuracy. A.D.S accepts no responsibility where leaks are missed due to undisclosed valves.
3.16 Certain boiler faults (such as pressure relief valves or heat exchangers) can cause pressure loss in sealed heating systems. Customers must ensure the boiler has been checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer prior to A.D.S attending. While A.D.S may identify possible boiler faults using specialist equipment, we do not provide boiler repair services and any issues must be addressed by a qualified Gas Safe engineer.
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4.1 Access works, including invasive works, will not be undertaken without the Customer’s prior approval.
4.2 When accessing plumbing services or exposing leaking pipework, collateral damage to surrounding services, fixtures or finishes may occur due to restricted access or concealed installations. A.D.S accepts no liability for such damage. Any additional repairs required will be chargeable.
4.3 As repairs often involve connecting to pre-existing pipework of unknown condition, A.D.S does not provide formal guarantees on repairs undertaken. This is particularly relevant for old, defective, poorly installed or poorly designed plumbing systems. If a repair fails and further attendance is required, this will be chargeable.
4.4 Leak detection aims to locate the leak as accurately as possible; however, access works are carried out on a best-endeavours basis using the information available. If access works are undertaken and the leak is not located in that area, A.D.S accepts no liability for associated damage.
4.5 Materials supplied are covered only by the manufacturer’s warranty. Where materials fail through no fault of A.D.S, labour costs for replacement may still be chargeable.
4.6 Leaks identified at or near the water provider’s boundary box (external stopcock) cannot be repaired by A.D.S, as these are typically the responsibility of the water provider and may be located within the public highway.
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5.1 Certain tests may require the central heating system to be drained and refilled. If the Customer requests the system to be refilled with appropriate chemicals, the cost of these materials will be charged separately.
5.2 Our engineer will make reasonable efforts to recommission the system during the same visit. Time spent doing so will be chargeable. In some cases, a return visit may be required and will be charged accordingly. Customers may also need to bleed air from the system afterwards.
5.3 Properly designed heating systems should withstand testing procedures, including draining and refilling. If a system fails to operate correctly afterwards, A.D.S accepts no liability for any repairs required.
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6.1 Cancellation requests must be provided in writing to choose@adsleakdetection.co.uk at least two full working days before the scheduled appointment. Failure to do so will result in a £295 cancellation fee.
6.2 If A.D.S is unable to gain access at the agreed date and time, an overhead recovery fee of £295 will be charged.
6.3 Deposits are non-refundable, unless cancellation notice is received in writing at least two full working days prior to the booking.
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7.1 All reports, photographs and documents remain the property of A.D.S.
7.2 A.D.S reserves the right to retain and use documentation and images obtained during inspections for purposes including training, marketing and publication.
7.3 Where images are used publicly, A.D.S will endeavour to remove any identifying details relating to the Customer or property location.
7.4 While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of reports and findings, they are provided “as is” and without warranty as to accuracy.
7.5 No expenditure or remedial works should be undertaken solely on the basis of information provided verbally or within our reports without further professional verification.
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8.1 Payment is preferred on the day of investigation. Where this is not possible, payment must be made within 7 days of the invoice date. We accept debit/credit card and BACS bank transfer.
8.2 Overdue payments may be referred to a debt collection agency or pursued through County Court proceedings. A.D.S reserves the right to apply interest at 12% per annum and add recovery fees where applicable.
8.3 A.D.S does not accept payment directly from insurance companies or loss adjusters. Where an insurance claim is being pursued, the Customer remains responsible for payment and must seek reimbursement separately.
8.4 Materials supplied remain the property of A.D.S until payment is received in full.
8.5 Reports will not be released until full payment has been received.
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9.1 A copy of our Privacy Policy is available on our website or can be requested by emailing choose@adsleakdetection.co.uk.
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10.1 During inspections or excavation works, A.D.S may encounter materials suspected of containing asbestos or other hazardous substances.
10.2 In accordance with legal requirements, any suspected hazardous material must be treated as hazardous unless proven otherwise through appropriate testing.
10.3 A.D.S will not disturb, test or remove hazardous materials. Such work may only be undertaken by suitably trained and authorised professionals.
10.4 If suspected hazardous materials are encountered, work will cease immediately and the Customer will be advised.
10.5 It is the Customer’s responsibility to arrange for appropriate testing, removal or mitigation of hazardous materials by a qualified professional and to provide documentary evidence before works can continue.
10.6 Where works are halted due to hazardous materials, any return visit required will be chargeable
