$495
For standard residential utility mapping
- Thermal imaging scan of shower and wet area
- Moisture meter mapping of affected substrate
- Drain and outlet integrity testing
- Written report with failure identification and repair trade recommendation
Shower & Bathroom Leak Detection
Shower and bathroom leak detection identifies water infiltration behind, beneath, or around wet areas without demolition. These leaks often come from waterproofing failure rather than pipe faults. Water can pass through grout or tiles, saturate the substrate, and travel before appearing in nearby or lower rooms. Accurate moisture mapping helps confirm the source and extent of the problem before repairs begin.
Non-invasive detection for wet areas before tiles or walls are removed.
What Is Shower & Bathroom Leak Detection?
Shower and bathroom leak detection involves identifying the source and extent of water infiltration behind, beneath, or around bathroom wet areas — without invasive demolition. It's distinct from general plumbing inspection because the problem is usually waterproofing failure rather than a pipe fault.
The challenge is that bathroom leaks are hidden. Water penetrates the grout and tile layer, saturates the substrate, and may travel laterally before surfacing — often in a room below or beside the wet area. Without mapping the leak accurately, a builder who tiles over a failed membrane is simply delaying the next failure.
Signs You May Have This Type of Leak
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Tiles are becoming loose or hollow-sounding in the shower or bathroom
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Grout lines are cracking, deteriorating, or showing dark discolouration
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There's a persistent damp or mouldy smell in or around the bathroom
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Water stains are appearing on the ceiling or walls of the room below
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Paint is peeling or plaster is bubbling in adjacent walls or ceilings
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Your bathroom floor feels soft or spongy when you walk on it
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Rust stains are visible around drain outlets or floor waste
How We Detect Bathroom & Shower Leaks
Understanding whether you have a plumbing fault or a waterproofing failure saves you from calling the wrong trade, doing unnecessary tile replacement, and — in the worst case — doing a tile-over repair that doesn't address the root cause.
Pricing Guide
FAQs
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Do you remove tiles to find the leak?
No. We use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to map the moisture through the tiles without touching them. In most cases, we can identify the failure point and the extent of water penetration without any physical intervention. Your builder or tiler then opens only the minimum area required for the repair.
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Is it a plumbing problem or a waterproofing problem?
This is the most important question — and the one that saves you money. Most shower leaks are waterproofing failures, not plumbing faults. Our report clearly identifies whether the leak is at a pipe fitting or in the waterproof membrane, so you call the right trade.
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How much damage happens behind tiles before I notice a leak?
Often, significant damage has already occurred by the time the leak becomes visible. Water can saturate substrate, rot framing, and grow mould behind tiles for months before any surface sign appears. Early detection results in a smaller, cheaper repair. The longer it's left, the more substrate and potentially structural material needs replacing.
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My shower has been leaking for years — is it worth repairing or should we just redo the bathroom?
This depends on the extent of the damage — and we can help answer that. If the substrate is sound and only the membrane has failed, a targeted repair and re-waterproof is significantly cheaper than a full renovation. Our report documents the extent of moisture damage so you can make an informed decision.
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Can you find a leak in an upstairs bathroom that's leaking into the room below?
Yes — this is one of the most common scenarios we deal with. Thermal imaging of the downstairs ceiling reveals the water travel path from above, and our bathroom assessment identifies the source in the wet area upstairs. Both floors are covered in a single inspection.
Related Services
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Balcony Leak Detection
Waterproofing failures in balconies damage the units below and compromise structural integrity. We pinpoint the breach in membranes or joints, giving owners and building managers clear repair direction and cost estimates.
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Thermal Imaging
Infrared cameras reveal hidden moisture, heat loss, and structural issues invisible to the eye. We use this technology alongside acoustic and tracer gas methods to build a complete picture of what's happening in your property.
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Roof Leak Detection
For single-storey buildings: we locate the source of roof water ingress without pulling apart your ceiling or removing tiles. Thermal imaging reveals moisture paths. Acoustic scanning finds cracks in gutters and valleys. We identify whether the problem is membrane failure, gutter damage, or internal plumbing.
View Service
Water behind your bathroom tiles isn't going away on its own.
Every day it's there, it's damaging more of your home. Get a clear answer — and the right brief for your builder.