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Acoustic Leak Detection — Forster and the NSW North Coast
Hearing what you can't see
Water escaping from a pressurised pipe makes noise — even through several centimetres of concrete, brick, plaster or earth. The sound is just usually too quiet for the human ear to pick up and isolate against background noise. That's where acoustic leak detection equipment comes in.
Highly sensitive ground microphones and contact sensors filter out background noise and amplify the specific frequencies of a pressurised water leak, letting us pinpoint the source.
When acoustic detection is the right tool
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Water leaks under driveways, paths, or yard areas
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Leaks in main supply pipes between the meter and the house
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Slab leaks in cold water lines (where thermal contrast may be weak)
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Leaks in irrigation systems and outbuildings
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Confirming the exact location of a leak already identified broadly by thermal imaging
What you get
More than just a quick look down the drain.
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A proper AVP CCTV inspection includes:
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HD video footage of the full pipe length we can access
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On-the-spot diagnosis of any blockages, damage, or build-up
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Precise location of any problem area (depth and distance from access point)
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A clear explanation of what we found, in plain English
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A written report, where requested — including annotated stills
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A recommended next step with transparent pricing
How we use it
After narrowing the leak location down to a search area (using meter analysis, thermal imaging, and visual inspection), we use ground microphones to sweep the area systematically. The sound peaks directly over the leak point. For pipes inside walls, contact sensors pressed against the wall or pipe pick up the leak signature.
The combination of equipment plus experience reading the audio is what makes the difference between "we think it's around here" and "it's exactly there".
Common acoustic leak detection questions
Q: Does background noise stop acoustic detection working?
A: It can affect very subtle leaks. For best results we'll often ask to turn off pumps, air conditioners, and other noisy appliances during the detection. Heavy traffic or strong wind outside can also limit yard detection — in those cases we'll work with you to find a better time.
Q: Can you find a leak in a pipe that isn't pressurised?
A: Acoustic detection relies on the sound of water escaping under pressure. For leaks in waste pipes or non-pressurised lines, we use different methods — CCTV inspection or dye tracing.