Roof Leak Detection Melbourne
Water stain on the ceiling, a drip when it rains, or a leak your roofer can't find? 1300 FINDLEAK is a licensed leak detection specialist, not a roofer guessing with silicone. We trace roof, box gutter, balcony and skylight leaks to the exact entry point with thermal imaging, drones and water testing, without pulling the roof apart. Fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, an insurance-ready report with every job, and a 24/7 emergency line.
- 24/7 emergency line
- Free phone quote
- Same-day service often available
Water coming through the ceiling right now?
- Put a bucket under the drip and move furniture, rugs and electronics away from the water.
- If the ceiling is sagging or water is near a light fitting, switch off power to that area and keep clear.
- Take photos for your insurer, then call us on 1300 346 353, 24/7. Don't climb onto a wet roof.
Why roof leaks are so hard to find
Rain rarely comes through the ceiling directly below where it gets in. It runs along tiles and metal sheets, then along sarking, battens, rafters and insulation, sometimes for several metres, before it soaks through the plaster. That is why patching the spot above the stain so often fails, and why a roof can leak only in heavy, wind-driven rain from one direction.
Melbourne's housing makes it harder still. Victorian and Edwardian terraces have slate roofs, parapets and hidden box gutters, post-war homes have ageing concrete and terracotta tiles, newer homes and extensions have metal and flat membrane roofs, and apartment blocks have balconies and box gutters over living areas. We find the exact entry point, so only the right part of the roof needs repair.
Roof leak detection services in Melbourne
Tiled and slate roofs
Cracked or slipped tiles, worn pointing, rusted valley irons and failed ridge caps. We check the roof from above by drone and from inside the roof space, then water test the suspect area.
Metal and Colorbond roofs
Worn screw washers, rusted or lifted sheets, open laps, failed flashings and leaking pipe and flue penetrations. Water can travel metres along a sheet before it drips.
Box gutters and flat roofs
Blocked or undersized box gutters, missing overflows, and split or lifted membranes on flat and low-pitch roofs, common on terraces, extensions and apartment buildings.
Balconies and decks
Failed membranes, poor falls, leaking door sills and perimeter flashings let water into the room or unit below. We map the moisture and flood test to prove the source.
Skylights, windows and walls
Leaks around skylights, windows, parapets and cladding are often blamed on the roof. UV tracer dye and water testing show exactly where the water gets in.
Thermal and drone inspections
Thermal cameras show wet insulation and damp ceilings without cutting holes, and our drone photographs roofs that are unsafe or too high to walk.
Watch: finding an intermittent roof leak
In this video, we investigate a roof that only leaked in heavy rain at a newly built home in Beaumaris, Melbourne. The ceiling was dry when we arrived, so we used thermal imaging and a controlled water test on the roof section above. We found a spreader sitting over a sheet lap and an apron flashing with only 60 mm of cover, well short of the recommended 150 mm, which let water in during heavy rain.
Watch on YouTube (5:23)
How much does roof leak detection cost in Melbourne?
Covers the first hour on site, inc. GST. Most single roof leaks are found within that hour.
For extra time, if needed, such as multiple leaks, large homes or commercial roofs. We'll tell you before going past the first hour.
Thermal imaging, moisture meters, drone inspection where needed, water or dye testing, plus an insurance-ready PDF report.
How it works
- Call or book online
Call 1300 346 353, 24/7, for a free phone quote, or book online. Tell us when the leak shows up, such as heavy rain or wind from one direction. - We inspect inside and out
We check the ceiling and roof space, photograph the roof by drone and use thermal cameras and moisture meters to track the water. - We prove the entry point
We water test one section at a time until the leak shows, then mark it and explain the cause. - Report and repair
You get an insurance-ready report with photos. Your roofer, builder or owners corporation can use it to fix the right thing, or ask us to quote the repair and we'll book a return visit to complete it.
Common roof leak problems in Melbourne
| Sign | Likely cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Stain or drip on the ceiling after rain | Cracked tile, lifted sheet, failed flashing or a blocked valley | Roof space inspection, thermal imaging and water testing |
| Water only comes in during heavy or windy rain | Overflowing box gutter, wind-driven rain under tiles or flashings | Flood testing of gutters and drone inspection |
| Leak moves around or appears far from the cause | Water tracking along sarking, rafters or insulation | Thermal imaging and moisture mapping |
| Damp or bubbling paint under a balcony or deck | Failed membrane, poor falls or a leaking door sill | Moisture meters and flood testing |
| Damp around a skylight, window or wall | Failed seals, parapet cappings or cladding joints | UV tracer dye and water testing |
| Water inside after a hailstorm | Cracked tiles or sheets, blocked gutters or damaged flashings | Drone inspection, thermal imaging and water testing |
| Stain that appears when it hasn't rained | A leaking pipe, hot water unit or shower, not the roof | Thermal imaging, acoustic listening and pressure testing |
Roof leaks, storms and insurance
Insurers and owners corporations want to know where the water got in and why, before they approve a claim or a repair. Our report shows the entry point, the cause and the damage, with photos, thermal images and moisture readings, so the right person can fix the right thing and your claim is not held up by guesswork. If the leak turns out to be a pipe or shower rather than the roof, the report says so.
Homeowners, owners corporations and businesses
We work for homeowners, landlords, property managers, owners corporations, builders, roofers and insurance loss adjusters across Melbourne. 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 be approved quickly.
Related leak detection services
Roof leak detection across Melbourne
Roof leak detection FAQs
How much does roof leak detection cost in Melbourne?
It starts from $398 inc. GST for the first hour on site, including thermal imaging, moisture meters, drone inspection where needed, water testing and an insurance-ready PDF report. Extra time, if needed, is $198 per hour. Most single roof leaks are found within the first hour, and we give you a free phone quote before we book.
Why is my ceiling leaking when the roof looks fine?
Water rarely drips straight below where it gets in. It can run along tiles, sheets, sarking and rafters for several metres first. A stain that shows when it hasn't rained is often a leaking pipe or shower, not the roof, so we check both.
Can you find a roof leak when it isn't raining?
Yes. We use controlled water testing to recreate the rain on one section of roof at a time, while we watch inside the roof space and the ceiling with thermal cameras and moisture meters. That is how we prove the exact entry point.
Do you need to walk on my roof?
Not always. Our drone photographs roofs that are steep, fragile, high or unsafe, and much of the work happens from inside the roof space. Where we do go on the roof, we follow working-at-heights safety rules.
Do you repair the roof as well?
Yes, if you'd like us to. Our first visit is about finding the leak: we mark the entry point, explain the cause and put it in the report. Many roofers, 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 you help after a storm or hail in Melbourne?
Yes. Our emergency line runs 24/7 on 1300 346 353. We find where the water is getting in and document the damage with photos and readings, which your insurer can use to assess the claim.
Do you work on apartments and commercial roofs?
Yes. We inspect box gutters, flat membrane roofs, balconies and plant areas on apartment blocks, offices, shops and warehouses, and send owners corporations and facility managers a clear report on the source and who is responsible.
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. Insurers use it to assess resultant damage, and owners corporations use it to decide who is responsible for the repair.
Roof leaking in Melbourne? We'll pinpoint it.
Free phone quote, fixed pricing from $398 inc. GST, and a 24/7 emergency line.
Trusted by Australia's largest builders, agencies and strata managers
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Simply fill out some info below and we will be in touch shortly! Or free call us at 1300 346 353, and our friendly team will gladly help schedule an appointment at your convenience. We're here to make the process easy and stress-free for you!
Call 1300 346 353 - 24/7 for emergencies, office hours 7am–11pm, 7 days
Email admin@1300findleak.com.au — work orders and purchase orders welcome
Book online or submit a work order through our portal
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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