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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

When it comes to sniffing out the source of a plumbing problem, there’s no one better than a Plumbdog pup! This time, our top dog Darius was called out to a blocked drain in Greenwood, WA, and he was quick to get to the bottom of it—literally!

Finding the Hidden I.S.

Every job starts with good detective work. Darius began by locating the inspection shaft (I.S.), which was tucked away under the decking. Once he had access, he sent down our trusty CCTV drain camera to get eyes on the issue.

And sure enough… the usual suspects were back at it—tree roots had invaded the pipe, causing a major blockage! 🌿🪠

Jetter Time!

No match for this Plumbdog. Darius rolled out the high-pressure water jetter and cleared the pipe thoroughly, breaking up the root mass and flushing it all out with ease.

Once the line was cleared, he sent the CCTV camera back in to confirm everything was flowing freely and looking clean.

Clean-Up & Happy Customer

With the job done, Darius didn’t just pack up and go—he made sure to clean up the work area, dust off his boots, and even empty out the sand from his pockets. As always, he left with a big smile on his face and an even bigger one on the customer’s!

Thanks to his efforts, the homeowner can breathe easy for the next 12 to 14 months before roots might try their luck again.

🎥 Watch the full video of Darius in action here:
👉 Blocked Drain Cleared in Greenwood | Watch on YouTube

Got a blocked drain in Perth?

Don’t wait for it to get worse. At Plumbdog Plumbing, we’re the experts in CCTV drain inspections, tree root removal, and all things blocked drains across Perth.

🐾 Call in the Plumbdog pros today – we’ll sniff out the problem and get your drains flowing again in no time!
📞 Contact Us

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!