Leak Detection

Non-Invasive Leak Detection & Repair

Water leaks can be sneaky – hiding behind walls or under floors, driving up your water bill and causing damage before you even know they’re there. If you suspect a hidden leak (or have obvious signs like damp patches or dripping sounds you can’t locate), Continuous Plumbing’s Leak Detection service is here to help. We use sophisticated leak detection technology to find leaks without unnecessary damage to your property, then provide prompt repairs to stop the leak at its source.

State-of-the-Art Detection Equipment

Our plumbers are equipped with electronic leak detection tools such as acoustic listening devices, thermal imaging cameras, and moisture meters. These allow us to pinpoint leaks through various methods:

Acoustic Listening

Pressurised water escaping from a pipe makes a distinct sound. We use ultra-sensitive listening equipment against walls, floors, or directly on pipes to hear leaks through concrete or soil.

Thermal Imaging

Warm water leaking in a wall can create a temperature difference. Infrared cameras scan surfaces to reveal hot or cold spots that might indicate a hidden leak behind tiles or plaster.

Tracer Gas & Moisture Sensors

In tricky cases, we can inject a safe, odourless gas into a dry pipe and use a detector to see where it escapes, or use moisture meters to map out damp areas in building materials.

These non-destructive techniques mean we don’t have to start ripping open walls or digging up your yard just to find the leak. We zero in on the leak’s location within a small area, keeping any necessary repair work confined and cost-effective.

Fast and Effective Repairs

Once the leak is located, our team moves quickly to fix it. We’ll carefully expose the section of pipe (making a neat cut in a wall or digging a small patch of earth, as needed) and assess the damage. Common leak causes include pinholes in copper pipes (often from corrosion), loose connections on fittings, or splits in poly pipes. Depending on the situation, we might:

• Apply a temporary patch or clamp (for emergency stop-gap measure until a permanent fix can be done).
• Re-seal or tighten fittings if a joint is the culprit.
• Cut out the damaged pipe section and replace it with new pipe, using appropriate couplings. We carry a variety of pipe materials (copper, PVC, PEX, etc.) and sizes in our vans for quick replacements.
  After repair, we test the line to ensure the leak is fully resolved, then restore the access point (refilling any hole we dug, or leaving the site ready for patching by a plasterer or tiler if it’s an indoor wall – we can recommend trades if needed).

Minimise Damage and Save Money: Timely leak detection is vital. By catching leaks early, you can prevent serious water damage to your property’s foundations, walls, and flooring. It also saves you from wasting water – even a small hidden leak can waste hundreds of litres a day, costing you on your water bill. Continuous Plumbing’s leak detection service often pays for itself in water savings alone. Plus, our precise methods mean less mess and disruption for you during the repair process.

Signs You May Have a Hidden Leak: Not sure if you need us? Keep an eye out for warning signs:

• Unexplained high water bills.
• The sound of running water when all fixtures are off.
• Damp or discoloured patches on walls, ceilings, or floors.
• Mould or mildew smells that persist.
• Warm spots on the floor (for hot water pipe leaks).
  If you notice any of these, give us a call. Our experts will discuss the symptoms and, if warranted, schedule a prompt leak detection visit. Remember, finding and fixing leaks early can save you significant stress and expense down the track.