Leak Detection: How Modern Plumbers Find Hidden Leaks Without Tearing Up Your Home

Twenty years ago, finding a hidden water leak meant educated guesswork followed by cutting holes in walls and floors until you found the source. Modern technology has changed that completely.

We use electronic leak detection equipment at all 13 locations, so we can pinpoint a hidden leak precisely — minimal damage to your property, and straight to the repair.

Why hidden leaks are dangerous

A leak you can’t see does more damage than one you can. The risks of leaving one undetected:

• Structural damage to wall framing, floor joists and subfloor from prolonged moisture
• Mould in wall cavities — a serious health risk, especially for anyone with a respiratory condition
• Corrosion of steel reinforcing in concrete slabs, particularly in post-war homes around Melbourne and Canberra
• Much higher water bills — a 1mm pinhole leak under pressure wastes 500–1,000 litres a day
• Termites, which are drawn to wet timber far more than dry

The leak detection tools we use

Acoustic leak detection

Pressurised water escaping a pipe makes a distinctive sound. Acoustic equipment amplifies it, letting us find the leak without opening a single surface — we can locate an underground pipe leak to within 10–20cm this way.

Thermal imaging

Water sitting at a different temperature to the material around it shows as a temperature differential on a thermal camera. It works especially well for leaks behind walls, under tiles and in ceiling spaces.

Moisture meters

We map moisture levels through walls, floors and ceilings with contact and non-contact meters. That tells us not just where the leak is but how far the damage has spread, which matters for insurance documentation and for scoping the repair.

Pressure testing

We isolate sections of your plumbing and pressure test them to find where pressure is dropping, narrowing down the location of a leak in the supply system.

Common hidden leak types in Australian homes

FAQs about leak detection

How do I know I have a hidden leak?

Turn off every water-using appliance and tap, then check your water meter. If the dial is still moving, you have an active leak. An unusually high bill with no change in how much you’re using is the other strong signal.

How much does leak detection cost?

Detection typically runs $150–$400 for the assessment across our locations. That’s separate from the repair, which we quote once we’ve found the source.

Can leak detection find leaks under my concrete slab?

Yes. Acoustic equipment is built for exactly this and can locate a leak in copper pipe embedded in concrete to within 10–20cm, so only a minimal amount of concrete has to be cut to expose and repair it.