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A dripping tap can be annoying, expensive, wasteful, and damaging, even more so when you have a leaking toilet bowl or toilet cistern. And even if you can’t hear that annoying drip sound, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem or a potential water leak, and you don’t need water leak detection services and professional plumbers. The water leak you can’t see can cause more severe damage without realising it. Even if it’s not major water leaks and just a few drops, those drops will soon turn into buckets if left unfixed. You’ll be surprised to see your water meter reading or water bill when your water usage or water consumption hasn’t changed.
We may promptly prevent leaks and further water damage from taps and concealed leaks in your plumbing. As property owners, you don’t have to be a leak detection specialist with thermal imaging technology or an infrared camera to be able to know and act on it and minimise the water loss and the structural damage! We’ll share how to detect leaks as they happen and even cut the water supply automatically so you don’t have to worry about high water bills. But first, a quick test you can do to see if you have any leaks right now.
Even without being professional plumbers and having water leak detection services, it’s easy to know if you have a water leak somewhere at your place, causing your water bills to rise. You can immediately follow your leak detection process to prevent further water loss and address dripping taps and leaking pipes.
The first step to knowing if you’ve got water leaks is to turn off all taps and double-check that everything that uses the water mains is completely turned off. Including things you may have forgotten, like a washing machine or evaporative air conditioner.
Find your main water meter and visually check it for a couple of moments. Is the dial moving? If it is, stop your search—you’ve got a water leak. If it is not moving, move on to step 3.
Write down the numbers on the meter, representing kilolitres and litres if the dial is not visibly moving. Don’t throw away the following information and get on with your day for 10 minutes, remembering not to use any water in or around the house.
Return to the meter and take another reading. If the numbers don’t match Step 3, you’ve got a water leak or leaks on your property—somewhere. You should check your water main meter and note how much water you use monthly.
Additionally, look for visible signs of a hidden leak, such as water stains, mould growth, peeling paint, or mildew growth. You can also use a moisture meter to detect any excess moisture in walls or floors that could indicate a plumbing system issue. If the leak is underground, it may not be visible, so pay attention to any changes in your water bill or unexplained damp patches in your yard, which could signal a problem with your underground pipes.
Once you’ve detected a leak, the next step is finding it! The trouble is that water leaks could be anywhere. If you’re lucky, you’ll find obvious signs in wet areas like the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and places where damp patches can be easily detected. It could be in your garden and irrigation systems, hidden pipework, hot water, and air conditioning systems.
Although you might be pretty handy, Australia has strict limits about the plumbing work you can do. Yes, you can fix a leaking tap or a minor leaking toilet – but you can’t go beyond that, like leaking pipes, without needing a licensed professional to do the work. If you have a small leak, it may be tempting to try and find the exact location yourself, but this can be tricky, as hidden leaks can often be found in the walls, basement, or behind the paint or wallpaper.
To find hidden leaks, you can visually inspect for any signs of water, excess moisture, or mould growth. Moisture meters can also help detect areas with higher moisture levels. However, if you’re unable to pinpoint the exact location of the leak, or if the repairs seem more complex, it’s best to refer to a professional plumber who can use specialized tools like infrared cameras to identify the source of the leak.
Attempting to fix a major leak or plumbing issue yourself can lead to costly repairs if not done correctly. Referring to a licensed professional who understands the regulations and how to address leaks in your home properly will be the most cost-effective and safe solution in the long run.
To be safe, here at Gold Coast Plumbing Company, with our industry experience, we recommend advanced technology and installing one of the best water leak detection devices on the market. The industry leader is AquaTrip, the eyes and ears of a skilled plumbing professional working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A plumber permanently installs AquaTrip on the main pipe at the water meter. It constantly checks for even tiny leaks in your home. Thanks to an automatic shutoff valve, it is ready to shut off the water supply if and when one is found. Turning the water back on is fast and straightforward. The technology is more effective than the four-step leak detection test above, as it will see tiny leaks that your water meter will not show.
It’s like the RCD safety system on your central electrical system—but for water. If any pipe, fitting, or appliance in your place starts to leak, AquaTrip will automatically turn off the main at your place to prevent that leak from causing damage, wasting water, causing high water bills, or creating safety hazards.
It’s also practical for those forgetful moments, as it can be programmed to ‘know’ that your bath is running over or you’ve forgotten to turn off the tap after filling the pool.
If you want an AquaTrip installed, a difficult-to-locate leak fixed, such as under concrete slabs, driveways, or water tanks, hammering pipes silenced, burst water pipes fixed, and higher-than-usual water bills brought under control in your residential and commercial properties, or you need further information or a new tap for Arthritis sufferers installed, it’s time to call your local Gold Coast plumbers. Call us! Our licensed plumbers are not only leak detection specialists.
From plumbing maintenance to hot water system installation and repair, burst pipes, gas fitting, backflow prevention and other plumbing services, you can rely on us! We’ll be at your doorstep as soon as possible. Our fully qualified, friendly team has solutions to all your plumbing needs. Whether a niggling leak or an absolute gushy emergency causing extensive damage, we can be at your place before you know it. Call us today!
Not sure who to call for an excellent job done right the first time? Reach out to our highly recommended Gold Coast plumbers! You can rely on our quality work. We go the extra mile with each service provided to deliver a fantastic job right from the first phone call. You will save litres of water, time, and money with us. So call us when there is a first sign of water leaks.