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Leaks can be costly – especially if they go undetected for long periods. They can cause water damage, increase your utility bills, and even lead to mildew and mold. 

Small, hidden leaks may be difficult to detect, but if you notice a consistent increase in your water bill or see damp patches around toilets and other water use areas it’s time for a professional inspection. 

Sound Detection Equipment 

Small leaks in your plumbing can add up to thousands of dollars in water damage over time. That’s why it’s important to have your pipes regularly inspected for signs of trouble. Plumbers use sound, infrared, and other equipment to locate hidden leaks, even those underground or behind walls. 

Acoustic detection tools such as ground microphones and listening disc plates pick up the sound of leaking water, amplified by the surrounding soil or concrete. They can help pinpoint the location of the leak, though they may not be able to tell you what type of pipe it is. 

Other passive leak detection equipment includes thermal imaging cameras and heat scanners, which can spot temperature changes caused by escaping water. These are especially useful in hard-to-reach places that would be difficult or impossible to inspect visually. Finally, a plumber might also use a moisture meter to scan for damp areas in your walls or ceiling. These are often the first clues that there is a hidden leak somewhere in your home.

Slab Penetration 

Sometimes, plumbers must resort to creating small access points in your slab to find hidden leaks. This involves using specialized tools to visually inspect the pipes underneath your home and listen for any signs of water leaking underground or in the walls. 

Plumbers will also ask you questions about your water usage habits to help narrow down the location of the leak. They may use moisture meters to scan walls and ceilings for any unusual amounts of moisture that could indicate a problem. 

To confirm the presence of a slab leak, plumbers will perform a pressure test. They will isolate and pressurize different sections of the plumbing system, noting any drop in pressure. This will pinpoint the location of the leak. Slab leaks can cause serious damage to your foundation, so it's important to get them fixed promptly. A professional plumber in Melbourne can repair these leaks quickly and efficiently, minimizing the cost of repairs. They will also help you prevent further damage to your home. 

Visual Inspection 

If you’ve noticed water damage, a high water bill, or the needle on your water meter has moved significantly in a short amount of time, it may be due to a hidden leak. Shutting off the water inside your home, noting where the needle on your water meter is positioned, and then watching it over an hour or two can help you determine if there’s a leak somewhere in your plumbing system. 

However, if you want to save time and money, it’s best to hire plumbers to inspect your property before any further damage occurs. They can use a variety of visual cues, such as water stains on ceilings and walls, damp areas, or mold growth, to help pinpoint the location of your hidden leak. They can also use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to find leaks in hard-to-reach places. These devices detect temperature changes caused by escaping water, making them ideal for finding leaks in wall cavities or under concrete. 

Borescope Camera 

While ground microphones and listening discs help plumbers hear leaking pipes, the most precise way to find leaks is to use a video pipe inspection camera. A small camera on a long, flexible cable is inserted into a pipe, and a live feed of the inside of the pipe is relayed to a monitor for viewing. This allows plumbers to see the condition of a pipe, pinpointing the source of a leak and helping them save time and money by avoiding unnecessary digging. When shopping for borescopes, look for models that offer high image quality and resolution as well as adjustable lighting systems for optimal visibility. Some also provide recording capabilities, which can be helpful for documentation and analysis. Teslong offers a variety of options to suit specific inspection needs including rigid, flexible, trigger-grip-style, articulating configurations, firearm borescopes, and USB and WiFi models. Explore our selection today to find the best inspection camera for your needs!