Slab heave & rising damp · Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Gold Coast
Slab Heave & Rising Damp Investigation
Cracked floors, sticking doors and damp, salty walls are often blamed on the ground or rising damp, but a leaking water or waste pipe under or beside the slab is a common cause. 1300 FINDLEAK finds where the water is coming from without digging or lifting floors, using moisture mapping, pressure testing, acoustic listening, tracer gas and thermal imaging. You get a written report your builder, engineer or insurer can act on. From $398 inc. GST for the first hour in metro areas.
Leak, ground water or rising damp?
Slab heave is when part of a concrete slab lifts because the soil underneath swells, usually reactive clay getting wet. Rising damp is groundwater moving up through masonry walls when the damp proof course has failed or been bridged. Both need water, and the question that decides the fix is where that water is coming from.
A leaking supply pipe, hot water line, shower waste or stormwater drain can soak the soil under a slab for months, and a pipe leak inside a wall can look exactly like rising damp. Before paying for underpinning, slab repairs or damp proofing, it pays to rule out a plumbing leak. That's what we test for.
We find the water source. Structural assessment and repairs to slabs and footings are a matter for a structural engineer or builder, and our report gives them the evidence to start from.
*If we can't find the leak you booked us for, you don't pay for the inspection. Ask for details when you book or read our guarantee terms.
What we investigate
Leaks under and beside slabs
Supply, hot water, waste and stormwater lines tested and traced to the leak, without breaking the slab to search. Tracer gas leak detection
Damp walls and floors
Moisture mapping shows where walls and floors are wet and whether the pattern points to a leak or ground water. Moisture detection
Mould, salt and efflorescence
White salt deposits, flaking paint and mould traced back to the water that is feeding them. Water damage and mould
How much does a slab heave or rising damp investigation cost?
First hour on site in metro Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, inc. GST, with no separate call-out fee.
$198 an hour in Victoria and $168 an hour in NSW and Queensland, only if needed. We check with you first.
Moisture mapping, pressure testing of water lines, acoustic or tracer gas testing as needed, and your written report.
The Mornington Peninsula is $498, Geelong $598, the Surf Coast $898 and regional Victoria from $798. See all prices.
How it works
- Call or book online
Tell us what you're seeing: cracks, sticking doors, damp walls or salt. You get the price before we book. - We map the moisture
Moisture readings and thermal imaging show where the water is and how far it has spread. - We test the pipes
Pressure testing, acoustic listening and tracer gas show whether a water or waste line is leaking, and where. - You get the report
Readings, test results, the likely water source and next steps for your plumber, builder, engineer or insurer.
Signs and what they can mean
| Sign | Likely cause | How we find it |
|---|---|---|
| Cracks in floor tiles or slab | Slab movement from wet soil, often a leak | Moisture mapping, pressure testing |
| Doors and windows that start sticking | Floor or wall movement | Moisture mapping, testing nearby pipes |
| Tide mark low on a masonry wall | Rising damp or a pipe leak in the wall | Moisture profile, pressure test |
| White salt deposits on bricks or tiles | Water moving through the masonry | Moisture mapping, source testing |
| Water meter moving with all taps off | Supply pipe leak under or near the slab | Pressure test, acoustic, tracer gas |
| Damp floor near a bathroom or laundry | Waste or shower leak into the slab | Moisture mapping, flood and dye tests |
Your report
Your report includes the moisture readings, the pressure and leak test results, photos, where the water is coming from, and recommended next steps, including when to involve a structural engineer. Please allow up to 14 days for formal reports. Read more about our insurance reports.
Repairs: our visit is about finding the leak. If you'd like us to fix it, we'll quote the repair and return at another time to complete it, often with trusted independent trades.
Related services
Slab heave and rising damp FAQs
What is slab heave?
Slab heave is when part of a concrete slab lifts because the soil underneath swells, usually reactive clay that has become wet. Signs include cracked floors and walls, sticking doors and uneven floors.
Can a leaking pipe cause slab heave?
Yes. A leaking water or waste pipe under or near a slab can wet the soil for months and make it swell. Finding and stopping the leak is the first step before any structural repair.
What is rising damp and how is it different from a leak?
Rising damp is groundwater moving up through a masonry wall when the damp proof course has failed or been bridged. A leaking pipe inside or beside the wall can look the same, so we test to find which one is causing the damp.
How much does an investigation cost?
$398 inc. GST for the first hour on site in metro Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with the written report included. Extra time is $198 an hour in Victoria and $168 an hour in NSW and Queensland, and we check with you before going past the first hour.
Do you fix slab heave or rising damp?
No. We find the water source and report on it. Leaks can be repaired by a plumber, and structural repairs to slabs and footings or damp proofing are done by a builder or specialist, guided by a structural engineer where needed.
What happens if you can't find a leak?
Found or you don't pay: if we can't find the leak you booked us for, you don't pay for the inspection. Conditions apply; see our guarantee terms.
Cracks or damp you can't explain? Call 1300 346 353.
Trusted by builders, real estate agencies and strata managers across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast
Australian Home & Business Owners Choose Us
I'm Oliver Schulze, the director of 1300 FINDLEAK, 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.
We’re here to help!
Not sure which service you need?
Use the enquiry button below and we will be in touch shortly or call us on 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 licence 105159 · QLD licence PD26669
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