Emergency Leak Detection Melbourne
Water pouring through a ceiling, a burst pipe you can't find, a meter spinning out of control or a gas smell? Call 1300 FINDLEAK on 1300 346 353, 24/7. We find emergency water leaks and burst pipes across Melbourne in walls, ceilings, slabs and underground pipes with pressure testing, acoustic ground microphones, thermal imaging and tracer gas, so your plumber can stop the damage at the right spot instead of cutting holes to look for it. Fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST and an insurance-ready report with every job.
- 24/7 emergency line
- Free phone quote
- Insurance-ready report
Emergency right now? Do this first
- Turn off the water at the meter, usually near the front boundary, and switch off the hot water system. In an apartment, use your unit's isolation valve.
- Switch off the power to any area where water is near power points or lights. If you smell gas, leave the area and call your gas distributor or 000.
- Take photos for your insurer, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7.
Why call a leak detector in an emergency?
In an emergency the instinct is to start cutting into walls or digging up the yard to find the water. That usually adds damage and cost. Water travels along slabs, through wall cavities and under floor coverings, so the wet patch is often metres from the break. A leak detector finds the exact spot first, so the repair is one small opening in the right place.
Melbourne's homes make emergency leaks hard to trace: old galvanised pipes under timber floors in Victorian and Edwardian homes, hot water lines in concrete slabs in newer homes, risers and shared hot water in apartment blocks, and underground service pipes stressed by reactive clay soils.
Emergency leak detection in Melbourne
Burst pipes in walls and ceilings
Water through a ceiling or bubbling paint. Thermal cameras and moisture meters track it back to the burst.
Burst pipes under slabs and floors
Warm tiles, wet carpet or water across a floor. Acoustic listening and pressure testing pinpoint it.
Underground and water main bursts
Water bubbling up in the yard or a meter that never stops. Ground microphones and tracer gas find it without trenching.
Apartment and strata emergencies
Water through the ceiling from the unit above or into the car park. We test each source and report who is responsible.
Hot water leaks
A hot water system that runs constantly or a hot pipe leaking in a wall or slab, traced with thermal imaging.
Damage records for insurers
Photos, thermal images and readings that show the cause and the damage, so your claim isn't held up.
Watch: who to call when you can't find a leak
A one-minute clip from 1300 FINDLEAK on who to call when you know you have a leak but can't see where it is.
Watch on YouTube (1:00)
How much does emergency leak detection cost in Melbourne?
Covers the first hour on site, inc. GST. Most single leaks are found within that hour.
For extra time, if needed. We'll tell you before going past the first hour.
Pressure testing, acoustic listening, thermal imaging and tracer gas where needed, plus an insurance-ready PDF report.
How it works
- Make it safe and call
Turn off the water and power to wet areas, then call 1300 346 353, 24/7. - We isolate and test
We isolate fixtures and pressure test each line to find which pipe is leaking. - We pinpoint the leak
Acoustic, thermal, tracer gas and moisture readings show the exact spot, which we mark. - Report and repair
You get an insurance-ready report with photos. Your plumber can repair the right spot, or ask us to quote the repair and we'll book it in.
Common emergency leaks and how we find them
| Sign | Likely cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Water pouring through the ceiling | Burst pipe, failed joint or shower above | Thermal imaging, moisture mapping and pressure testing |
| Water across a tiled or concrete floor | Burst hot or cold pipe in the slab | Thermal imaging and acoustic ground microphones |
| Water bubbling up in the yard or driveway | Burst underground service pipe | Acoustic listening and tracer gas |
| Meter spinning with everything off | Major hidden leak on your side of the meter | Meter test and section isolation |
| Water into the unit below | Shower, riser or pipe in the apartment above | Testing each source and moisture mapping |
| Sudden loss of water pressure | Major burst on the supply line | Pressure testing and acoustic listening |
Emergency leaks, insurance and your water bill
Many home and strata policies cover the damage caused by a sudden burst pipe, and some cover the cost of finding it. Our report shows the location, cause and damage, which your insurer can use to assess the claim quickly.
In Melbourne, Greater Western Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water supply homes and businesses, and leaks on your side of the meter are the owner's responsibility. If a hidden leak has pushed up your bill, your retailer may be able to help under the Victorian water industry guideline for undetected leaks, once the leak has been repaired promptly by a licensed plumber. Our report shows where the leak was and what caused it, which supports your application. Read our guide to high water bills and hidden leaks.
Homeowners, strata managers and businesses
We work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, strata managers, owners corporations, businesses and insurance loss adjusters across Melbourne. For apartments and rentals, we arrange access and send the report straight to the manager or insurer.
Related leak detection services
Emergency leak detection across Melbourne
Emergency leak detection FAQs
What should I do first in a leak emergency?
Turn off the water at the meter and the hot water system, switch off power to any wet area, take photos for your insurer, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7.
How much does emergency leak detection cost in Melbourne?
Emergency leak detection in Melbourne starts from $398 inc. GST for the first hour on site, including pressure testing, acoustic listening, thermal imaging and an insurance-ready PDF report. Extra time, if needed, is $198 per hour. We give you a free phone quote before we book.
Can you come out straight away?
Our phone line runs 24/7. Call 1300 346 353 and we'll tell you when we can be there. If the water is off and the area is safe, many leaks can be found the next morning without extra damage.
Should I call a plumber or a leak detector?
If you know where the leak is, call a plumber to repair it. If you can't find it, call a leak detector first, so the plumber opens one small spot in the right place instead of cutting holes to look for it.
Do you repair leaks as well?
Yes, if you'd like us to. Our first visit is about finding the leak: we mark it, explain the cause and give you a report. Many plumbers, builders and property managers then do their own repairs. If you want us to fix it, we'll quote the repair and return at another time to complete it, often with trusted independent trades.
Will my report help with an insurance claim?
Yes. Every job includes a PDF report with photos, thermal images, readings and the cause of the leak, which insurers use to assess resultant damage.
Leak emergency in Melbourne? Call 1300 346 353, 24/7.
Free phone quote, fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, and a 24/7 emergency line.
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Call 1300 346 353 - 24/7 for emergencies, office hours 7am–11pm, 7 days
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We're a mobile service and come to your property. Our teams are based in Parkdale and Moorooduc in Victoria, Seaforth in Sydney, and Hope Island on the Gold Coast, covering Melbourne, Geelong, the Mornington Peninsula, regional Victoria, Sydney, Wollongong, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Casuarina, Kingscliff and Byron Bay.
1300 FINDLEAK Pty Ltd · ABN 83 640 078 397 · VIC plumbing licence 105159 · QLD licence PD26669
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I'm Oliver Schulze, the director of 1300FINDLEAK, a family-run company committed to solving all your gas and water leak problems. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards in customer outcomes and satisfaction, ensuring reliable and professional service every time.
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