Private preview

Australian Leak Detection

This live site is currently protected while final checks are underway.

Underground Leak Detection on site

Underground Leak Detection

A leaking underground main line can waste hundreds of litres a day, gradually erode the soil beneath your property, and drive water bills into the thousands before anyone notices. By the time you see wet ground, the leak may have been running for weeks. Australian Leak Detection uses acoustic listening equipment and acoustic and electromagnetic locating techniques to locate underground leaks without digging. You get a marked location a qualified contractor can act on immediately.

For buried pipes beneath driveways, gardens, concrete slabs, and service pits.

Pricing Guide

Starting From

$330

For a standard underground leak detection inspection.

  • Acoustic listening scan of the affected pipe run
  • Ground listening scan of the suspected zone
  • Surface marking of leak position
  • Written report for your qualified contractor or council
GET A CUSTOM QUOTE

What Is Underground Leak Detection?

Underground leak detection is the process of locating water loss from pipes buried beneath driveways, gardens, concrete slabs, or in service pits — without excavation. The challenge with underground leaks is that the visible symptoms often appear metres away from the actual leak source, due to water following the path of least resistance through the soil.

Specialist acoustic listening equipment helps locate the sound of pressurised water escaping from buried pipes. This method works across common residential pipe materials when site conditions allow. For larger properties or complex pipe networks, we also use acoustic and electromagnetic locating to map pipe routes before isolating the leak point.

Underground Leak Detection inspection detail

Signs You May Have This Type of Leak

  1. Your water bill has risen sharply without any change in usage

  2. There are consistently wet or muddy patches in your yard, driveway, or path

  3. Sections of your lawn are greener and growing faster than surrounding areas

  4. You notice cracking in your driveway, path, or building foundations

  5. Water pressure throughout the property has dropped noticeably

  6. Your water meter shows flow even when all taps are off

  7. There are unexplained puddles in areas that don't collect rainwater

How We Detect Underground Leaks

This process works regardless of what the pipe is made from, how deep it's buried, or whether it runs under concrete or paving. We work on residential water mains, commercial service lines, and strata common area pipe networks.

FAQs

  • How deep underground can you detect leaks?

    Our acoustic equipment is effective at typical residential pipe depths of 0.3m to 2m. For deeper commercial or municipal pipe networks, we use a combination of acoustic listening and pressure testing. The effective depth depends on the pipe material, soil type, and ground conditions — your technician will advise on any limitations before starting.

  • Do you need access to the pipe to use acoustic equipment?

    We need access to two points on the pipe — typically a meter box, isolation valve, or hydrant — on either side of the suspected leak zone. In most residential situations, this access already exists. For properties with limited access points, we may recommend a complementary approach such as ground listening.

  • Will you mark exactly where to dig?

    Yes. Once we've located the leak, we mark the surface position clearly — typically with spray paint or a pin marker. Your qualified contractor can then open only the minimum required area. Most underground leaks we locate are repaired with a single, targeted excavation.

  • Can you find a leak under my concrete driveway?

    Yes. Acoustic equipment detects the sound of water escaping through the soil beneath concrete slabs and hard-stand surfaces. This is one of the most common scenarios we deal with — a pipe running beneath a driveway that has cracked or corroded. We give the contractor a targeted location so they cut once, not three times.

  • My water authority says I have a leak — what do I do?

    If your water authority has flagged a leak (through a compliance notice or a meter check), we recommend calling us immediately. The sooner the leak is located and repaired, the sooner you can stop accumulating water costs. Many authorities have a Leak Allowance policy — our report can support your credit application.

Related Services

  • Water Leak Detection

    High water bill? Mysterious damp spot? Slow drip inside the walls? We use acoustic listening and tracer gas to locate water leaks and help your qualified contractor target the right repair area. Full written report included, with repair guidance for a qualified contractor.

    View Service
  • Pipe Location & Utility Mapping

    Know exactly where every pipe runs before you dig, drill, or build. We map water, gas, electrical, and drainage lines using electromagnetic and acoustic location — preventing costly and dangerous mistakes.

    View Service
  • Pressure Testing

    Inert gas (nitrogen/helium) pressure testing for pipe integrity checks. We test newly installed systems, repaired lines, or existing infrastructure to confirm system integrity. Provides clear documentation for councils and builders where applicable.

    View Service

What Our Clients Say

Underground leaks don't wait.

Every day without a fix is money down the drain — literally. Get us in, get a marked location, and let your qualified contractor make one clean excavation.