Leak Detection, Forster and the NSW North Coast

Find the leak. Fix the leak. Without ripping up your property.

Plumbing leaks are stressful because so much of the damage is hidden. Water seeping behind a wall, under a slab, beneath a pool shell, or out in the yard can run for weeks before anyone notices — and by the time you do, you're often dealing with damaged floors, ruined ceilings, mouldy walls, and water bills that have quietly doubled.

AVP Plumbing are specialists in finding hidden leaks using modern, non-invasive equipment — thermal imaging cameras, acoustic listening equipment, and where needed tracer gas. The point of leak detection is to locate the exact source of the leak before any demolition. That way the only part of your property that needs to be opened up is the small area directly over the leak itself.

Signs you might have a hidden leak

Water bill has gone up without an obvious cause
Water meter ticks over when nothing is being used
Damp patches on walls, ceilings, or floors
Musty smell that doesn't go away
Warm spot on a tile or concrete floor (often a hot water slab leak)
Sound of running water when no taps are on
Loss of water pressure that's developed over time
Lush, green patches of lawn in dry conditions
Pool that loses more water than evaporation explains

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Water Leak Detection

General hidden water leak location — behind walls, under floors, in the yard, in the roof cavity.

Slab Leak Detection

Finding leaks in pipes embedded in concrete slabs without smashing the floor.

Thermal Imaging Leak Detection

Infrared cameras detect temperature differences caused by water moving through walls, floors and ceilings

Gas Leak Detection

Locating natural gas and LPG leaks safely with electronic detection equipment.

Acoustic Leak Detection

Specialised listening equipment picks up the sound of water escaping under pressure — even through concrete and brick.

Hidden Leak Detection

For the leaks you know exist but can't find — the diagnostic detective work that other plumbers refer on

Our leak detection process

Step 1 — Symptoms call

Tell us what you're seeing — bill, meter, damp patches, sounds. From the pattern we can usually predict where the leak is and which equipment we'll need.

Step 2 — On-site investigation

We arrive with the right equipment for the job. For most water leaks that means thermal imaging plus acoustic detection; for slab and yard leaks we may use tracer gas; for pool leaks we use dye and pressure testing alongside the standard kit.

Step 3 — Pinpoint and document

Once located, we mark the exact location clearly and explain what we've found. For insurance claims we can supply written documentation including thermal images.

Step 4 — Quote the fix

Written, transparent pricing for the repair — whether that's a small spot fix, a re-route, or a larger pipe replacement. Your choice on whether to proceed.

Step 5 — Repair

Most leak repairs are done same-visit or next-visit. We open only the section directly over the leak, repair the pipe, and tidy up.

Why a leak detection specialist beats a generalist

A general plumber finding a hidden leak often resorts to exploratory demolition — open up the wall here, lift this tile, cut this section of plaster. Sometimes they find it; sometimes they make three holes and still haven't. Specialists with proper detection equipment locate the leak first, then open one small section to fix it. The difference shows up in your final bill, your repair time, and the state of your house when the job is done.

Areas we cover for leak detection

Hawks Nest to Coffs Harbour, with our fastest response in Forster, Tuncurry, Pacific Palms, Smiths Lake, Hallidays Point, Old Bar, Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, and Taree. Leak detection is the kind of work that's worth travelling for — for larger jobs across the wider service area, just call.

Common leak detection questions

Q: How much does leak detection cost?

A: Standard residential leak detection in the Forster area starts from [add starting price]. The price covers locating and documenting the leak — the repair is quoted separately so you can decide how you want to proceed. We'll give you a clear price before we start.

Q: Can you find a leak without damaging my property?

A: Yes — that's exactly the point of leak detection equipment. Thermal imaging, acoustic listening and tracer gas all work without breaking the building fabric. Only the small area directly over the leak itself needs to be opened up to do the repair.

Q: I think the leak is under my slab. Can you still find it?

A: Yes. Slab leaks are one of the harder jobs but exactly what our equipment is designed for. Thermal imaging detects warm and cold patches caused by water under the slab, and acoustic equipment picks up the sound of pressurised water escaping. We pinpoint the location precisely before any concrete is cut.

Q: Do you do leak detection for insurance claims?

A: Yes. We routinely supply written reports with thermal images, location data, and an assessment for insurance use. Let us know on the call that it's for an insurance claim so we document properly from the start.

Q: Will my water meter tell me if I have a leak?

A: It's a great first check. Turn off every water-using appliance and tap in the house, then watch the water meter. If the small leak dial is still ticking over, you have a leak somewhere. That's the moment to call us.

Book a leak detection inspection