Leak Detection Springvale

Signs of a hidden leak

Hidden leaks often show up as:

• a water bill much higher than usual
• the water meter moving when every tap is off
• damp or mouldy patches on walls, skirtings or ceilings
• warm spots on a tiled or concrete floor, which can mean a hot water leak in the slab
• a musty smell in a bathroom or under the house
• soggy ground in the yard or nature strip that never dries
• low water pressure

The meter test

Turn off every tap, appliance and irrigation system, then watch the water meter for ten to fifteen minutes. If the dials move, water is escaping somewhere. Turn off the valve to the house if there is one, and watch again, which tells you whether the leak is inside or outside.

How we find leaks

Thermal imaging

A thermal camera shows temperature differences on walls, floors and ceilings. Hot water leaks show as warm patches and cold water leaks often show as cool damp areas, so we can trace pipes without opening walls.

Acoustic listening

Pressurised water escaping from a pipe makes a sound. Listening equipment amplifies it through floors, slabs and the ground so we can narrow down the location.

Pressure testing

We isolate sections of the pipework and test them under pressure to find which section is losing water. This also confirms a repair has worked.

Moisture meters and cameras

Moisture meters map wet areas in walls and floors, and small inspection cameras let us see inside cavities through small holes.

Common leak locations in Springvale homes

• old galvanised pipe under the floor of post-war houses
• copper pipes in concrete slabs of 1970s and later homes
• shower waste and tile membranes failing in older bathrooms
• service pipes in front yards damaged by roots or digging
• hot water pipes in walls behind kitchens and laundries
• flexible hoses under sinks and basins

Shower leaks

Water escaping through the shower base, grout or waste can soak the subfloor and rot framing, or travel into neighbouring rooms. We test the waste, the tap connections and the shower area separately to tell you whether it is a plumbing leak or a waterproofing failure.

After we find it

We show you where the leak is and give a fixed price to repair it. In slabs, we may reroute the pipe through the walls or ceiling rather than breaking up the floor. We also provide a report that can help with an insurance claim or a water bill leak allowance from the water corporation.

Leaks in unit blocks

In units, a damp ceiling may be caused by a leak in the unit above, and a leak on a shared service may show up nowhere near its source. We test each unit's supply separately and report clearly so owners and the owners corporation know where the leak is and who should fix it.

Springvale ground and pipes

Springvale sits on a mix of sandy loam and heavier clay, and much of the suburb was built in the 1950s and 1960s with earthenware sewer pipes and galvanised or early copper water pipe. Clay joints shift over time and let roots in, rusting galvanised pipe slowly narrows and leaks, and drains under subdivided blocks are often shared between homes. We use drain cameras, locators and pressure tests to see exactly what is going on before anyone digs.

From your call to the finished job