How to Use Water Leak Detector
If you suspect a hidden leak around your property in Melbourne, using a water leak detector is the smartest way to avoid costly water damage and catch the issue early. Whether it is under the concrete driveway, below the ground floor, or in a wall behind your kitchen sink, pinpointing the exact location is half the battle. This guide will break down the top five tools commonly used for water leak detection and explain how to use them effectively for detecting leaks in walls, floors, under house areas, or underground.
Acoustic Water Leak Detectors
How It Works
Acoustic water leak detectors are like stethoscopes for plumbers. These devices pick up the sound of water escaping from a pressurised pipe. The technician listens through headphones while moving the microphone across the suspected area. The sound of a leak gets louder as the detector gets closer to the leak source.
Best Used For
This option is perfect for leaks under concrete slabs, driveways, and floors. It is especially helpful for water leak detection under house foundations where visual access is limited. If you hear strange hissing or dripping sounds but cannot see water, an acoustic detector will lead you straight to it.
Moisture Meters
How It Works
Thermal imaging cameras detect temperature differences behind surfaces. When a pipe leaks behind a wall or under a tiled floor, the water changes the temperature of the surrounding material. These cameras highlight that anomaly on a screen in real-time, revealing the hidden trouble spot.
Best Used For
Ideal for indoor leaks inside bathroom walls, kitchens, or areas where hot and cold water pipes are present. This tool is invaluable when you need non-invasive water leak detection without tearing into your walls blindly. If you suspect a leak behind plasterboard, tiles, or cabinetry, this is your go-to solution.
Infrared Scanners
How It Works
Moisture meters measure the moisture content of materials like timber, plaster, and concrete. Simply place the sensor on a surface and the device will give a digital reading. Higher readings indicate the presence of water or a leak nearby. Some models also have probes for deeper detection.
Best Used For
Moisture meters work best for tracking leaks through walls and floors after the initial detection. They help confirm moisture paths and are often used in follow-up inspections to ensure the leak has been completely resolved. Especially handy for checking skirting boards, floor corners, and wall joins.
Pipe Locator and Tracer Systems
How It Works
Similar to thermal cameras, infrared scanners detect heat loss and changes in thermal conductivity. However, these handheld tools offer a broader scan of surfaces and can detect subtle shifts in temperature across larger areas. You scan the wall, ceiling, or floor, and anomalies will appear as different colours.
Best Used For
This tool is great for scanning large areas like concrete floors, ceilings, or long external walls. If water is leaking from roof plumbing or under a slab that runs across multiple rooms, infrared scanners give you a wide-angle view of how far the leak has travelled.
Conclusion
Whether it is a leak behind the wall, under your tiled bathroom floor, or deep underground near your concrete driveway, water leak detection tools make the invisible visible. Choosing the right tool depends on where you suspect the leak and how accessible the location is. For Melbourne homeowners and property managers, investing in or hiring a professional who uses these tools could save thousands in long-term repair costs. Each of the top five options covered in this guide offers a targeted solution for tracking down hidden leaks before they cause major water damage. Do not wait until signs of mould or damp patches appear. Take action today, and locate that leak before it gets worse.