Burst Pipe Detection Sydney
Water through the ceiling, a wet patch spreading across the floor, water bubbling up in the driveway or a meter spinning with every tap off? 1300 FINDLEAK finds burst pipes across Sydney, in walls, ceilings, concrete slabs and underground service lines, with pressure testing, acoustic ground microphones, thermal imaging and tracer gas, so only one small spot needs opening for the repair. Fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, an insurance-ready report with every job, and a 24/7 line.
- 24/7 emergency line
- Free phone quote
- Insurance-ready report
Pipe burst right now?
- 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 if you can find it.
- If water is near power points or light fittings, switch off the power to that area. If the burst is on the street side of the meter or in the footpath, call Sydney Water on 13 20 90.
- Take photos for your insurer or strata manager, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7.
Why burst pipes are hard to find
A burst pipe rarely shows itself where it has failed. Water runs along slabs, through wall cavities and under floor coverings, or soaks away into the ground outside, so the wet patch can be metres from the break. Cutting into the wrong spot adds to the repair bill and the damage.
In Sydney, bursts are often in ageing copper and galvanised pipes in post-war and Federation homes, hot water lines in concrete slabs, service pipes stressed by clay soils and tree roots, and risers in apartment blocks, where water can travel into the unit below or the car park. We find the exact break, so the repair goes to the right spot.
Burst pipe detection services in Sydney
Burst pipes in walls and ceilings
Water through a ceiling, bubbling paint or a wet wall usually means a split copper pipe or failed fitting inside the cavity. Thermal cameras and moisture meters track the water back to the pipe.
Burst pipes under the slab or floor
Warm tiles, a wet carpet edge or water across a garage floor can mean a burst hot or cold pipe in the slab or under the floorboards. Acoustic listening and pressure testing pinpoint it.
Underground and water service bursts
A soggy lawn, water bubbling up in the driveway or a meter that never stops can mean a burst service pipe between the meter and the house. Ground microphones and tracer gas find it without trenching.
Hot water and copper pipe failures
Pinholes, corroded copper, failed hot water connections and perished flexible hoses under sinks and vanities are some of the most common bursts we find.
Strata, commercial and fire services
Burst pipes in apartment risers, car park ceilings, shops, offices and fire services can flood neighbours and disrupt trade. We find the burst and report who is responsible for the repair.
Find it, then fix it
Once we have found the burst, we mark it and explain the cause. Many plumbers, builders and property managers repair it from our report, or we can quote the repair and return at a time that suits.
Watch: how we find a burst underground pipe
In this video from one of our Melbourne jobs, our technician isolates the toilets, appliances and hot water system, then pressure tests the hot and cold mains for 10 minutes. The cold main fails, so he maps the pipe run with a line locator, fills the pipe with tracer gas and uses acoustic listening to pinpoint the leak. We follow the same process on burst pipes across Sydney.
Watch on YouTube (2:37)
How much does burst pipe detection cost in Sydney?
Covers the first hour on site, inc. GST. Most single bursts are found within that hour.
For extra time, if needed, such as long underground lines, multiple leaks or apartment buildings. 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
- Stop the water and call
Turn off the water at the meter, then call 1300 346 353, 24/7, for a free phone quote, or book online. - We isolate and pressure test
We isolate fixtures and pressure test each section of pipe to find which line has burst. - We pinpoint the burst
Acoustic ground microphones, thermal cameras, tracer gas and moisture meters show the exact spot, which we mark. - Report and repair
You get an insurance-ready report with photos. Your plumber, builder or strata manager can use it to fix the right spot, or ask us to quote the repair and we'll book a return visit to complete it.
Signs of a burst pipe and how we find it
| Sign | Likely cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Water coming through the ceiling or down a wall | Burst copper pipe, failed joint or hot water line in the ceiling or wall | Thermal imaging, moisture mapping and pressure testing |
| Warm or wet patch on a tiled or concrete floor | Burst hot water pipe in the concrete slab | Thermal imaging and acoustic ground microphones |
| Soggy lawn, nature strip or driveway | Burst underground service pipe between the meter and the house | Acoustic listening and tracer gas |
| Water meter spinning with every tap off | Hidden burst anywhere on your side of the meter | Meter test, section isolation and pressure testing |
| Sudden drop in water pressure | Major burst on the supply line or a failed fitting | Pressure testing and acoustic listening |
| Water in a basement car park | Burst riser, fire service or pipe in the slab above | Moisture mapping, thermal imaging and pressure testing |
| Water bill much higher than usual | A burst pipe that has been running unseen for weeks | Meter test, thermal imaging and acoustic listening |
Burst pipes, insurance and your Sydney 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 with photos and readings, which your insurer can use to assess the claim. Check the details of your own policy.
Sydney Water supplies homes and businesses across Sydney and is responsible for pipes up to your meter. Leaks on your side of the meter are the owner's responsibility. If a hidden burst or leak has pushed up your bill, Sydney Water's hidden leak allowance can credit 50% of the water usage charge for the most affected quarter, once every five years per property. 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, builders, plumbers and insurance loss adjusters across Sydney. For rentals and apartments, we arrange access with tenants and residents and send the report straight to the owner, manager or insurer, so repairs can start quickly.
Related leak detection services in Sydney
Burst pipe detection across Sydney
Burst pipe FAQs
What should I do first if a pipe bursts?
Turn off the water at the meter, usually near the front boundary, and switch off the hot water system. If water is near power points or light fittings, switch off the power to that area. Take photos for your insurer, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7.
How much does burst pipe detection cost in Sydney?
Burst pipe detection in Sydney 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 $168 per hour. We give you a free phone quote before we book.
How do you find a burst pipe without digging up the floor?
We isolate and pressure test each section of pipe, then use thermal cameras, acoustic ground microphones and tracer gas to pinpoint the exact spot. That means we open one small area, not your whole floor, wall or yard.
Who fixes a burst pipe in the street or footpath?
Sydney Water is responsible for pipes up to and including your meter. If water is coming up on the street side of the meter or in the footpath, report it to Sydney Water on 13 20 90. Bursts on your side of the meter are the owner's responsibility, and that is where we find them.
Do you repair burst pipes as well?
Yes, if you'd like us to. Our first visit is about finding the burst: 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.
Can Sydney Water help with my bill after a burst pipe?
Sydney Water's hidden leak allowance can credit 50% of the water usage charge for the most affected quarter, once every five years per property, once the leak is repaired. Our report shows where the burst was and what caused it, which supports your application.
Burst pipe in Sydney? We'll find it fast.
Free phone quote, fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, and a 24/7 emergency line.
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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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