Leak Detection

It’s not uncommon for us to receive a call shortly after a hot water system installation — especially when a customer notices water around the unit. At Plumbdog, we always take those calls seriously and act quickly to investigate.

In this case, James returned to a Perth home where our team had recently installed a heat pump hot water system. The customer had reported:

• Concerns that the system may not have been installed level
• Water pooling around the base of the unit

🔧 Step 1: Inspecting the Hot Water System Installation

The heat pump system was originally quoted by James and installed by Chris, one of our Plumbdog pups, under supervision. On reinspection, James found that:

• The unit was firmly secured and correctly positioned
• It was level and neatly installed
• The installation followed all manufacturer and plumbing code requirements

💬 “It’s important to check the install with fresh eyes — and it’s just as important to reassure the customer when everything looks spot on.”

💧 Step 2: Investigating the Source of the Water

Next, James turned his attention to the reported leak. What initially looked like water escaping from the system turned out to be:

• A below-ground leak from a deteriorated copper pipe
• Located just beside the hot water system, inside the customer’s reticulation box

These types of leaks are often mistaken for an issue with a newly installed system — especially when they show up in the same area.

📞 Communicating with the Customer

James made every effort to explain the findings to the customer, including:

• The difference between the system’s installation and the unrelated underground leak
• Offering a quote for a proper repair of the copper pipe
• Providing clarity around how these things can happen, especially in older homes or with ageing plumbing

While the customer chose not to proceed with the repair through us, our approach stayed the same: assess thoroughly, explain clearly, and offer a solution.

🧠 What You Can Learn from This Job

• Not all water around your system means a faulty install — it could be an existing issue nearby
• Heat pump systems are highly efficient and reliable when installed correctly
• Professional inspections include checking all surrounding plumbing, not just the unit
• Customer presence during install can be helpful, but clear post-install communication is just as important

📺 Watch the Video

Join James on site as he walks through the system check, investigates the nearby leak, and explains the entire situation clearly and professionally:

🐾 Need Help With a Hot Water System or Suspected Leak?

Whether it’s a new install, a leaking pipe, or just something that doesn’t feel quite right — we’re here to help.

📞 Call Perth’s real plumbers with all the gear and every idea.
🐶 No callout fee | ✅ Upfront pricing | 🔎 Leak Detection Experts | 🔥 Heat Pump Installers

Modern Concealed Cistern Installed in External Wall — Diagnosed and Repaired

It’s becoming more common to find toilet cisterns hidden away in wall cavities or behind sleek tiled features. They look neat — but when something goes wrong, access can be a nightmare.

Our Plumbdog plumber Darius was called out to a Perth home where the customer reported a leaking toilet. What he found was a concealed cistern hidden behind an external duct panel in the wall cavity.

💬 “These modern setups look clean, but they’re prone to failure — and getting them apart is a bit of a trick.”

🛠 Step-by-Step: How We Fixed the Leak

Here’s how Darius tackled this hidden cistern repair like a pro:

1. Located the cistern inside the external wall cavity behind a duct sheet
2. Removed the cold water feed to stop supply to the cistern
3. Carefully disassembled internal parts, including:
   • The inlet valve
   • The outlet mechanism
4. Assessed space — thankfully, there was just enough room to remove the full cistern
   • If the cutout had been smaller, removal would have been impossible without cutting walls or tiles
5. Identified the need for replacement parts — including specialty air hoses
6. Ordered and installed new parts
7. Reinstalled the cistern, sealed it up, and tested thoroughly at the toilet

✅ Final Result: Leak Fixed, Customer Happy

After reinstalling and pressure testing the new setup, the toilet was back in working order — with no more leak, no damage to the wall, and a very happy homeowner.

👨‍🔧 “These kinds of installs can go sideways if not handled carefully — especially when you don’t have access. Luckily, we’ve been around the block a few times with these.”

🧱 Why Hidden Toilet Cisterns Can Be a Problem

While concealed cisterns offer a modern look, they come with risks:

• Poor access makes repairs time-consuming
• Air hoses and internal fittings are often fragile and fail over time
• Tile or wall removal may be needed if the original builder didn’t allow room for servicing

At Plumbdog, we have a nose for leak detection and we’re equipped to handle these trickier repairs without the drama.

🐾 Need Help With a Concealed Cistern?

Whether it’s leaking, not flushing, or just acting strange — we’ve seen it all.

📞 Call Perth’s real plumbers with all the gear and every idea.
🐶 No callout fee | ✅ Upfront pricing | 🚽 Concealed cistern specialists

Leak Detection Call-Out in Perth Ends in a Canine Twist

Not every job ends with a burst pipe or broken drain — and this one definitely took an unexpected (and furry) turn.

Our leak detection plumber Darius was recently called out to a Perth property where the homeowner was concerned about subsidence under their timber deck. The ground had started to shift, and they feared it might be a water leak under the surface.

As always, we came prepared — all the gear, every idea — ready to rule out any plumbing-related issues. And that’s exactly what we did.

🧪 Step 1: Pressure Test on the Water Main

The first step was a static pressure test on the main water line. Darius monitored it closely for 5–10 minutes, keeping an eye out for any drop in pressure.

💬 “Not a blip — water main held steady the whole time.”

So we ruled out any leak on the house supply.

🎥 Step 2: CCTV Stormwater Inspection

Next up, Darius popped his CCTV drain camera into the stormwater system beneath the area of concern. This is a common cause of soft soil and subsidence — especially in older properties or after heavy rainfall.

💬 “The stormwater line actually looked great — no cracks, breaks, or blockages. Not a drop out of place.”

Another potential culprit ruled out.

🐶 Step 3: What’s That Under the Deck?

Still not satisfied, Darius got down under the deck for a closer inspection — and that’s when the mystery was finally solved.

He found:

• Tufts of dog fur stuck to the underside of the timber joists
• Disturbed soil and signs of active digging
• Clear signs that a curious canine friend had been nesting or burrowing underneath!

Sometimes it’s not plumbing — it’s pawprints. 🐾

💡 The Lesson? Not All Subsidence Is Caused by Plumbing Leaks

It’s easy to jump to conclusions when you see ground movement, but this job is a great reminder that:

• Not all subsidence is caused by leaking pipes or stormwater
• A thorough investigation by a leak detection expert can save you unnecessary plumbing work
• Sometimes the best fix is just keeping the dog off the tools 😉

🛠 Need Help With Deck Movement or Suspected Leaks?

We don’t just fix plumbing — we investigate it properly. Whether it’s a genuine leak or something else entirely, we’ll find the source and walk you through the best solution.

🐾 No callout fee | 🛠️ Qualified real plumbers | 📆 7-day availability
Plumbdog Perth — Leak Detection Specialists

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!