Leak Detection.Done Right.

Signs of a hidden leak

A water meter that moves when everything is off, a constantly high bill, damp patches or stains, mould, peeling paint, warm patches on a floor, the sound of running water and a drop in pressure all suggest a leak. Surface signs often appear far from the source, because water follows pipes, studs and slabs.

Checking your water meter

Turn off every tap and appliance, then look at your meter. If the dial or leak indicator keeps moving, water is flowing somewhere beyond the meter. Write down the reading, wait an hour without using water and check again. Take photos. This confirms a leak but does not tell you where.

Clues you can gather first

Note which rooms feel damp, whether the stain changes after rain or after the hot water runs, and whether hot or cold pipes are affected. Check the garden for unusually green or soggy patches. Tell the plumber what you found, since it narrows the search.

How leaks are located

Plumbers use listening equipment, pressure testing, moisture meters, thermal imaging and tracer gas, depending on the situation. Each method suits different leaks, and many jobs need more than one. Ask what will be used and what it can and cannot show.

Pressure testing

Isolating sections of pipe and testing them under pressure shows which section is losing water. It is a systematic way to narrow down a leak without opening walls. The result tells the plumber where to focus the next step.

Leaks under slabs and in walls

A leak in a slab can lift tiles, dampen carpet or raise your water bill. Repairs may involve opening a small area of floor or rerouting the pipe. Ask for the options, including the cost of putting the surface back, and tell your insurer early.

Pool, garden and irrigation leaks

A pool that drops faster than evaporation, irrigation that runs weak or a garden tap that drips underground can also cause high bills. The same meter test applies. Tell the plumber about pools and irrigation so they can test those lines as well.

Questions people ask about leak detection

Can you find a leak without digging?

Often the location can be narrowed down without digging, and the repair opens a small area.

Will my insurance pay for leak detection?

Some policies cover finding the source of an escape of water. Check your wording.

How long does it take?

A simple test can be quick. Hidden leaks under slabs or in walls take longer.

Is a leak always a plumber's job?

If it is a dripping tap or a loose connection you can see, yes, but for hidden leaks, professional equipment helps.

What to expect from a leak detection visit

The plumber asks what you have noticed, checks your meter and looks at fixtures and visible pipes first. They then use equipment suited to the situation. They should tell you what they have found even if the answer is that the leak is not yet located. A good visit ends with either a located leak and a repair plan, or a clear list of what has been ruled out and what to try next.

Allow time, since hidden leaks can take more than one test to find.

Repair options once the leak is found

Where the leak is accessible, repair is usually a replaced section or joint. Where it is under a slab, the plumber may open the floor at the leak, or reroute the pipe through the wall or roof space so the slab pipe is abandoned. Rerouting avoids breaking a large area of floor, but changes the pipe layout. Ask what each option involves, what it will cost and how the surface will be restored.

Water bills, allowances and insurance

If a hidden leak has pushed up your bill, ask your water retailer whether any leak allowance applies, since policies vary and usually have conditions. Some home insurance policies cover the cost of finding and accessing an escape of water, but not the pipe itself. Keep the plumber's report, photos and invoices, and contact your insurer before work starts.

Methods used to find leaks

Leak detection starts with the meter test to confirm there is a leak. Then the plumber may use acoustic listening equipment to hear water escaping, thermal imaging to find warm or cool patches, pressure testing of lines and moisture meters on walls. No single method works for every leak, so several are often combined.

The aim is to find the leak with the smallest hole possible. Ask what each method found and how the position was confirmed.

After the leak is found

Once the leak is located, the plumber explains the repair, what access is needed and whether any other trades such as a tiler or plasterer are required. Check your insurance policy before work starts, since some policies cover the damage but not the pipe, or require a report from the plumber.

Ask for a written report with photos. It helps with insurance, a rental provider or a body corporate.

Leaks you can see and leaks you cannot: how to report what you notice

Describe what you see: where the damp is, when it appeared, whether it gets worse after rain or after use of a tap, and whether the meter moves. Photos with dates help. A leak that only shows after rain is probably not a plumbing leak, and a leak that shows when you run the shower points to the shower or its waste.

Give the plumber a list of recent work in the house, such as renovations or new appliances, because new connections are a common source of leaks. If you rent, report the leak in writing and keep a copy.

Guides worth reading

• How to Find a Hidden Water Leak in Your Home
• How to Fix Low Water Pressure at Home
• Plumbing Problems in Older Homes: What to Look For Before They Cost You

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• Emergency plumbing is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Talk to GSA Plumbing Services

Call 0401 041 103 or send an enquiry on the contact page. We work across Geelong, Melbourne and surrounding suburbs.