Leak
Detection
Perth

Water leaks can stem from various factors, such as corrosion, heightened water pressure, substandard installation of pipes, fittings or appliances, and inadvertent causes like leaks caused by drilling or unsatisfactory soil conditions.

Here are some of the tell-tale signs there is a water leak occurring at your property:

• Water pooling on the ground or surrounding surfaces
• Landscaped areas outdoors abnormally greener than surrounding areas
• Heaving, cracking or potholes visible on the ground
• Damp soil that is unrelated to intentional watering
• A decrease in water pressure
• An increase in the water bill
• The leak indicator on the water meter moving when all water usage is turned off

The most common areas for water leaks are; toilets, taps (and mixer taps), wet rooms such as bathrooms and breakout rooms, reticulation valves and below ground services, hot water systems, as well as general fixtures and appliances.

To detect a potential leak in the toilet bowl, keep an ear out for a hissing sound or keep an eye on whether water is trickling down the back of the bowl. To confirm the presence of a leak, place a square of toilet paper against the back of the bowl and check if it gets wet. If the paper is soaked, it's likely that there is a leak that needs to be addressed.

The exact amount of water lost depends on factors such as the size of the pipe, water pressure and the size of the hole or burst in the pipe. To put it in perspective, a constant trickle into the toilet bowl wastes up to 9,000 litres of water per year. A leaking tap can waste up to 10,000 litres of water a year. These are substantial amounts of water loss, so it is best to take action now to both preserve precious water, and save you money down the line.

The team at PBR Plumbing undergo rigorous training to meet the highest standards, enabling us to identify leaks in various types of commercial properties and situations. We only use the latest innovative hydrosonic technology to accurately locate pipes throughout your property to pinpoint leak sources.

Detecting leaks in pipes which are underground, behind walls and even below landscaped areas is made possible by hydrosonic leak detection technology. Ultrasonic leak detection works by using a device that sends out high-frequency sound waves that are too high for humans to hear. These sound waves travel through the air and bounce off surfaces, including the source of the leak. When the sound waves hit the leak, they create vibrations that are picked up by the device's microphone. The device then converts these vibrations into audible sound, which the plumbing technician can hear through a headset. By scanning the walls with the device, the plumber can locate the exact spot where the sound of the leak is the loudest. This allows them to pinpoint the location of the leak without having to tear down walls or cause any unnecessary damage to your property. Overall, ultrasonic leak detection is a non-invasive, efficient, and accurate way to locate leaks behind walls and other surfaces.

As a commercial property manager, it is important to note that it is your responsibility to notify the property owner/landlord of any plumbing repairs or maintenance required. This includes all work required on internal piping up to the valve, located just before the water meter. Depending on your agreement with the property owner, it might be part of your role as the commercial property manager to organise professional services to address these maintenance or repair requests. By establishing a streamlined approach to handling maintenance and repair requests, you can likely develop a network of qualified professionals capable of efficiently completing the job. To ensure compliance with regulations, any work on these pipes must be performed by a licensed plumber.