Leak Detection Melbourne

One of the biggest benefits is that you won’t be paying a huge water bill every month, in a world where this resource is becoming increasingly scarce and precious. You also benefit from the fact that the water damage will not go on to destroy the interior elements or the structural support of your home. 

It can help to normalize the water pressure and is going to spot ruptures that otherwise would never be identified. Otherwise, a small issue can grow into a very big problem. It can spot breaks in underground piping, roof piping, gardens, concrete slabs, and in locations that are simply inaccessible without specialized tools. Finally, leaks can pose serious health hazards if they are not promptly resolved.

If you notice that something is wrong with the water supply, then you might want to consider a leak detection report. The most obvious sign is that you notice signs of moisture, which is something of a giveaway. 

But if there are other problems with your water supply, like slow taps or strange noises, then you might also want to consider it. As a rule of thumb, when something is ‘up’ with the water supply, it is caused primarily by either a leaky pipe or a blocked drain. These are the two first points of call and are among the easiest to rectify.

A potential water rupture under your house should be cause for alarm. If neglected, they can cause a series of problems from low water pressure, bad odours, high water bills, and worse, structural damage to your home. 

Always keep a lookout on signs or better yet, hire a professional plumbing maintenance service yearly to detect irregularities in your plumbing. It can be a huge expense to fix a water break under your home so maintenance and early detection are paramount.

There are 4 primary methods to detect water ruptures. These are:

1. Thermal Imaging – An infrared camera pointed at an area will show lower energy levels in the area.

2. Acoustic Listening Device – Microphone held close to a wall. Sounds will be produced in areas where the pipe is cracked/leaking.

3. Tracer Gas – Two gases are introduced into the piping system. Tracer gas will break out where there is a leak in the pipes. The gas itself is completely non-toxic.

4. Leak Correlators – Used in larger piping systems like farms and industrial complexes. Electromagnetic sensors are placed at strategic locations along with the piping system and can detect ruptures by comparing time delays between signals.

Some types of water breaks will leave behind signs so you can locate them easily. Water presence or damp areas on your floor are the most obvious indicator that you have a slab break. 

Other things that you should watch out for are the sound of water rushing underneath your floor, warm spots on your slab that indicate leaking hot water lines, and “heaving” or lifting of your slab. However, if there is an unexplainable rise in your water bill and there are no visual or auditory signs to help you find the rupture, it’s best to call your plumber to locate faulty pipes.

Along with thermal imaging, acoustic listening devices are by far the most common and effective means to detect leaks in comparison to tracer gas and leak correlators. An acoustic listening device is able to differentiate the break from the regular sound of the water flowing through the pipe. 

The benefit of this method is that it works on virtually any piping material and is 100% non-invasive. Leak detection is highly accurate and the size and location are irrelevant in terms of using this method.

We at Reed plumbing use a combination of high-resolution thermal imaging in conjunction with acoustic listening devices to detect each and every potential rupture in your home, in the fastest possible manner.

Absolutely. There are leak detection tools on the market that can alert you to any breaks as they arise. This will save you time and money. However, it’s important to know the strengths and weaknesses of each device. Many of them will not suffice to detect all breaks, all of the time. Others work on certain pipe materials only.

Water breaks are bound to worsen over time and can cause expensive home damage. If left alone and unfixed, it will start to increase your water bill, lower the water pressure around your house, cause bad odours, aid the development of mold and mildew, and can ultimately cause your house to be unsanitary and structurally unsafe to live in. Ruptures should be addressed as soon as they are detected to avoid costly repairs down the line.

After a water rupture, you should take measures to dry your roof and ceiling to avoid further damage. The time it takes for a roof to dry depends on just how saturated it has become. It can take anywhere from two days for a small leak to 4 weeks for more extensive leaks. Use a fan or dehumidifier to help speed the process, but make sure to call your plumber and address the root cause of the outbreak.

Unfortunately, yes. It is a myth that only extensive and repeated water damage can cause mold to grow. A one-time water rupture, sustained by damp and humid conditions, can cause mould to develop in as fast as 24 to 48 hours. To avoid moulds, fix breakage as soon as it’s detected and ensure that your property has good airflow. Clean and dry areas affected by a leak within 24 hours to prevent mould from growing.

Unfortunately, leak detection is not covered by most insurance policies. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to check with your provider as each policy is different. What most insurance policies do cover is fixing water rupture and water damage from sudden or accidental discharge like in the case of storms and flooding. Most policies will specifically exclude gradual breaks and water damage, especially if they could have been avoided with regular maintenance.

For more information on leak detection tools and advanced leak detection in Melbourne, call us now at 9331 6633.