Leak Detection

Shower Leak in Perth: Small Drip Causes Big Damage in Timber Flooring 🐶🚿🪵

Polybutylene Pipe Failure Leads to Major Water Damage Below a Bathroom in Perth Home

When people think of plumbing leaks, they usually imagine something dramatic — water spraying everywhere or a burst pipe flooding the house. But sometimes, it’s the smallest, slowest leaks that do the most hidden damage. And that’s exactly what we found on this recent job.

Our licensed Perth plumber Darius was called out to investigate a mystery leak causing damage below a timber bathroom floor. The kicker? The leak was only dripping at around 30ml per minute — not even a full glass of water in an hour. But it had been leaking for a long time.

🕵️‍♂️ Initial Signs of the Leak

Upon arrival, signs of moisture were showing through the timber flooring and ceiling beams beneath the upstairs bathroom. The client had noticed warping and staining but couldn’t pinpoint the source.

A quick inspection confirmed it wasn’t leaking from the shower tray or drain directly — the water was escaping from behind the walls and pooling into the flooring structure.

🧰 Leak Detection and Testing Process

Darius began by:

• Testing the upstairs shower and bathroom fixtures
• Tracing moisture patterns through the ceiling cavity
• Isolating water flow and gradually narrowing the leak source

After some careful observation, it was clear that the culprit was hidden pipework, not a fixture or waterproofing issue. It wasn’t long before we traced it to the dreaded…

🚨 Polybutylene Pipework: A Growing Plumbing Menace

More and more of our leak detection calls in Perth are leading us back to old polybutylene pipework. This grey flexible piping is prone to failures — especially where elbows or proper fittings haven’t been used.

In this case, Darius uncovered a section where the pipe had kinked and weakened on a bend, without any support or fittings. It hadn’t burst (yet), but it was sweating water constantly — slowly soaking the timber below.

He sealed off the leaking section temporarily, but we made it very clear: repairs are not enough. This type of pipe needs full replacement. Leaving it in place is just waiting for another leak to happen.

💡 Why This Matters: The Hidden Costs of Slow Leaks

• A slow leak may not spike your water bill…
• But it can destroy timber flooring, ceilings, insulation and structural supports
• It’s often missed by general plumbers without leak detection equipment

At Plumbdog, we come with CCTV cameras, moisture meters, and thermal imaging — plus the experience to know where and what to look for.

✅ Our Recommendation

If your home was built or renovated using polybutylene pipework and you’re noticing damp patches, ceiling stains or timber warping, don’t wait.

👨‍🔧 Call the real plumbers with all the gear and every idea.
🐾 No callout fee | 7-day leak detection service | No weekend surcharge

Catch Darius in action as he uncovers the leak, explains the issue, and shows the real condition of the pipework!

Another day, another mystery for our Plumbdog pups to sniff out—and this time, the trail led us to Morley, WA, where a homeowner was left scratching their head over a sudden spike in their water bill.

Enter Darius, our seasoned water leak detection expert from Plumbdog Plumbing Perth, ready to get to the bottom of things!

Step 1: Water Meter Check 🔎

First stop? The water meter at the front of the property. A quick check confirmed there was definitely water loss happening on the property—a clear sign of a hidden leak. Time to unleash the tools of the trade.

Step 2: Listening In with Acoustic Gear 🎧

Darius grabbed his specialty acoustic leak detection equipment—gear designed to listen for the subtle sound of water escaping underground. He walked the area slowly, ears wide open…

And guess what? The sound led him right underneath his parked van in the driveway! 😅 That’s right—the leak was directly under his own wheels the whole time.

Step 3: Pinpointing the Leak & Preparing the Fix 🔨

After moving the van, Darius used compressed air and pinpointing methods to track the exact leak location under the driveway. Once identified, he provided the homeowner with a clear and honest quote to carry out the repair.

With one leak located and logged, Darius was off again—hitting the road to help another Perth local with a burst pipe. It’s all in a day’s work for the Plumbdog pack!

🎥 Watch the full video of Darius on the job!

Got a high water bill? Suspect a hidden leak?

At Plumbdog Plumbing, we use specialist acoustic leak detection equipment to track down even the trickiest underground leaks—no digging and no guesswork.

🐾 Give us a whistle today and let the Plumbdog pups sort it out!
📞 Contact Plumbdog Plumbing

At Plumbdog Plumbing, we always have our noses to the ground, sniffing out plumbing problems for our customers across Perth, WA. This time, our expert plumber Darius was called out to a property in Mount Lawley to investigate a suspected gas leak—and what he found was enough to make even the toughest Plumbdog wrinkle his nose!

Sniffing Out the Problem 🐾

Upon arrival, Darius performed a gas test at the meter using his trusty manometer, confirming a gas leak on the property. But where was it coming from? That’s where experience and the right detection tools come in handy!

Using his 20+ years of plumbing expertise, Darius methodically traced the leak’s location—deep in the backyard. As he got closer, the stench became overwhelming. Gas leaks, especially those left unnoticed for a long time, react with the soil and create a powerful odor that lingers on clothing, skin, and even in the air for days!

The Leak is Found!

After carefully exposing the pipeline, Darius performed the good old soapy water test—a tried-and-true method to confirm leaks. Sure enough, bubbles formed around a fitting where PVC connected to copper, confirming the culprit!

Fixing the Leak & Keeping the Customer Safe

With the problem identified, Darius wasted no time:
✅ Repaired the faulty fitting
✅ Conducted a final retest to confirm no further leaks
✅ Submitted a Gas Notice of Completion Certificate, ensuring the property was safe

As always, Darius backfilled and cleaned up the work area, leaving it just as he found it—only safer! With a big smile and a satisfied customer, another Plumbdog job was successfully completed.

Need a Perth Plumber Who Knows Their Stuff?

At Plumbdog Plumbing, we’re fully licensed gas fitters and always ready to track down leaks, repair issues, and ensure your property is safe.

🚰 Got a plumbing or gas problem? Give us a whistle! 🐶🔧
📞 Contact Plumbdog Plumbing Today!

Superstar Plumbdog James sniffs out a water leak

See the amount of water being wasted from one small burst pipe

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Superstar Plumbdog James makes his debut on our YouTube channel on the job today at a property in Willetton sniffing out and fixing a water leak.

Leak Detection Gear

It’s one thing to have all the gear, but it’s another to have every idea how to use it. James makes it look too easy but that’s only because he has the nose for this type of thing and he’s also been doing this for a long time. Being top dogs when it comes to water leak detection keeps our tails wagging because it means we get the job done without wasting time which in turn saves our customers money.

The Leaking Pipe

Some leaking pipes are obvious when you can hear the water leaking, where some are more discreet with our customers only suspecting a leak because of increased water bills. We’ve shared videos on how to tell if you have a water leak by some simple tests but watch the video to see how much water is wasted from a small burst pipe.

Did you know you could get some money back?

In Perth, Western Australia, there are circumstances where you could qualify for a rebate if you have a water leak. There are some conditions to be met but most importantly, the works need to be completed or verified by a licensed plumber. Our Plumbdogs are licensed plumbers and part of the service we offer for those eligible is to complete the submission on behalf of our customers to the Water Corp to help get some money back!

When it comes to water leak detection and repairs, we have the nose and skills to sniff out and fix any plumbing issues. If you’re in the Greater Perth, give us a whistle!

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