Our Services
Leak Detection
Find and fix hidden leaks in Eastern Suburbs Sydney - before they cause real damage
A leak you cannot see is the kind that does the most damage: a rising water bill, a damp patch that keeps spreading, the smell of moisture behind a wall. Norton Plumbing uses proper leak detection equipment to pinpoint exactly where the water is escaping, so we fix the actual problem without tearing up half your home to find it. Local, licensed, and straight with you about what we find.
Our Process
How we handle leak detection
Visual inspection of all accessible plumbing
Water meter test to confirm a leak exists
Acoustic leak detection equipment to pinpoint location through walls and slabs
Thermal imaging to detect moisture behind walls
Pressure testing of water lines to isolate the leaking section
Minimally invasive repair - we find the exact spot so you don't have to rip up floors
Need leak detection sorted? Get in touch.
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Why Norton
Why choose Norton Plumbing
$0 Callout Fee
No charge just to show up. You only pay for the work.
Fixed Pricing
Quoted upfront before we start. No surprises, ever.
30-Min Response
Based in Coogee. 30 minutes to most Eastern Suburbs locations.
5★ Google
101 five-star reviews from real customers.
Licensed & Insured
Licence #397768C. Master Plumbers NSW member.
15+ Years Local
Adam, Rebecca and the team know Eastern Suburbs plumbing inside out.
Pricing
We provide upfront, fixed pricing, quoted and agreed before any work begins. Detection and any repair are quoted separately once we've found the source - we'll work with you to find the best-value fix that meets your needs and budget.
Quoted and agreed upfront before any work begins.
When to Call
- Unexplained increase in water bill
- Sound of running water when all taps are off
- Damp patches on walls, floors, or ceilings
- Mould or musty smell in specific areas
- Water meter ticking when nothing is running
- Hot spots on the floor (hot water slab leak)
Prevention Tips
- Check your water meter when nothing is running - if it's ticking, you have a leak somewhere
- Replace flexi hoses under sinks and basins every 5 years - they're the #1 cause of home insurance claims in Australia, costing an average of $27,500 per claim
- Inspect visible pipes for green corrosion (copper) or rust stains (galvanised) annually
- Monitor your water bill - a sudden unexplained increase often means a hidden leak
- Know where your mains shutoff tap is before you need it - usually at the front of the property near the water meter
Common Questions
Leak Detection FAQ
We use a combination of acoustic listening equipment, thermal imaging, and pressure testing. This lets us pinpoint the exact location of a leak without unnecessary demolition. We find the leak first, then discuss the best repair option with you.
Very likely. A running toilet can waste 25,000+ litres per quarter. A hidden pipe leak can be even more. We can do a water meter test to confirm - if the meter's still ticking when everything's turned off, you've got a leak.
Yes. Slab leaks are our speciality. Using acoustic and thermal equipment, we can locate the leak through concrete without exploratory digging. Once found, we'll discuss repair options - often we can reline the pipe rather than jackhammer the slab.
Call us first. We'll find and fix the leak, and provide documentation that your insurer will need for any water damage claim. Most home insurance covers the damage caused by the leak, though not always the plumbing repair itself.
Every 5 years, even if they look fine. Flexi hoses under sinks and basins are the #1 cause of home insurance claims in Australia - they account for 20% of all household water damage claims, with an average cost of $27,500 per incident. Check the date stamp on yours. If there's no date or it's older than 5 years, book a replacement. It's a quick, inexpensive job that prevents a potentially catastrophic failure.
Detection cost depends on the scope. A straightforward visible leak is quicker to confirm than a slab leak or hidden wall leak requiring acoustic and thermal equipment. We quote the detection and repair separately after we've confirmed the source — you agree to the price before we proceed. $0 callout fee during business hours.
Yes — and two things explain it. First, most homes built before the mid-1980s in suburbs like Coogee, Randwick, Maroubra, and Bondi have copper water pipes. Copper holds up well, but the coastal environment works against it: salt air and slightly acidic Sydney water gradually thin pipe walls over decades, eventually causing pinhole leaks. They're tiny but they run continuously, and they're one of the more common jobs we do in Eastern Suburbs homes. Second, the sewer lines under older homes are typically clay or terracotta — not modern plastic. Clay joints crack and shift as soil moves and tree roots push through them, often without any visible sign until a drain starts backing up or you notice a damp patch. If your home was built before 1985 and you've noticed an unexplained water bill increase, green or white staining around copper fittings, or damp spots near walls or ceilings, it's worth getting a detection check. We'll find the source without unnecessarily opening walls or floors.
Leak Detection by Suburb
Recent jobs
Real Leak Detection jobs across the Eastern Suburbs
A look at how Norton Plumbing has handled real leak detection jobs for local homes and strata buildings, with photos from the job.
Case study · 5 min read
Emergency hot water replacement, Maroubra
An emergency callout in Maroubra: a leaking 12-year-old hot water system, a burst pipe buried underneath, and a same-day Rheem gas replacement.
Adam Norton · 22 June 2026
Seasonal · 5 min read
Why hot water systems fail in winter
It has been a heavy fortnight for hot water in the Eastern Suburbs. Here is why systems fail when the cold sets in, and the warning signs worth acting on early.
Adam Norton · 2 July 2026
Local insights · 6 min read
Eastern Suburbs pipe corrosion: how we spot copper leaks before they get expensive
Copper plumbing in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs ages faster than the same pipework installed inland. Here's what to watch for, how we find pinhole leaks before they get expensive, and what the repair options actually look like.
Adam Norton · 18 April 2026
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$0 callout fee. Fixed pricing, quoted upfront before work starts. No surprises.
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