Leaks and seepage in Greater Geelong
Rain tells you a lot
The City of Greater Geelong says seepage after heavy rain is often runoff, groundwater or a faulty stormwater system. With no recent rain, faulty plumbing, damaged water infrastructure or natural groundwater could be the cause.
Private seepage is the owner's
Council says seepage on private property is the owner's responsibility, and lists dripping taps, leaking pipes, cracked drains and damaged irrigation as causes.
Barwon Water's pipes are Barwon Water's
If broken water or sewer infrastructure belonging to Barwon Water is causing seepage, Council says Barwon Water is responsible.
Nobody has your pipe plans
Council doesn't hold plans of private underground pipes, as plumbers aren't required to give them. Tracing a buried line usually starts from scratch on site.
Start with your water meter
Turn off every tap, the washing machine and the irrigation. Note the meter reading, wait at least an hour without using water, then read it again. If the numbers moved, water is going somewhere.
Next, close the stop tap at the meter. If a damp patch dries up over the following days, the leak is on the pressure side, between the meter and your taps. If it stays wet, think about drains, stormwater or groundwater instead.
How a leak specialist works
A plumber who specialises in leaks will isolate sections of pipe and pressure-test them, then use acoustic listening gear and often a thermal camera to pin down the spot. For drains, a camera down the line shows cracks and root entry.
The point is to open one small patch of floor, wall or garden, not to trench the whole yard. Ask for photos of what they found, especially if you plan to talk to your insurer or to Barwon Water about your bill.
Your pipe or Barwon Water's?
Every litre used on the house side of the meter passes through it, so a leak there shows on your bill. We couldn't read Barwon Water's own page setting out exactly where its pipe ends, so if the leak seems to be at or near the meter, ask Barwon Water to check before a plumber cuts in.
We also couldn't confirm whether Barwon Water adjusts bills for concealed leaks. Ask them directly, and keep the plumber's invoice and report. Other water companies we've checked, such as Coliban Water and TasWater, want a plumber's evidence before they consider an adjustment.
What you can do, and what you can't
You can
- Run the meter test above and photograph both readings.
- Check toilets: a few drops of food colouring in the cistern that show up in the bowl mean a leaking valve.
- Look under sinks and around the hot water unit for drips or rust.
- Note whether the damp patch changes with rain.
Leave to a licensed plumber
- Pressure-testing and isolating sections of pipe.
- Opening walls, floors or paving to reach a leak.
- Repairing or replacing water pipes and drains.
- Anything at the meter or in Barwon Water's part of the service.
Questions to ask a Geelong leak detection plumber
- Which tests will you run before you open anything up?
- Is this a water pipe leak, a drain leak or groundwater?
- Will I get photos and a written report I can show Barwon Water or my insurer?
- If the leak is near the meter, will you check with Barwon Water first?
What we would do
Do the meter test tonight: it costs nothing and settles the first question. If the meter moves with everything off, book a leak specialist rather than a general plumber, because finding the spot quickly is most of the job. If the meter is still, the damp is more likely drains, stormwater or groundwater, and Council's seepage page is a useful read before anyone starts digging.