Author Archives: austest

31
May
2019

Have you noticed slowly draining water at your home or near your storm drains? Do you smell bad odours coming from the pipes? If so, then it’s most likely you will need a stormwater drainage inspection using CCTV technology.

CCTV cameras can be used to inspect those pipes and determine the severity of the blockage. From there, a plan for correcting the issue can be created. Here are some of the advantages of using CCTV for inspecting home drains and stormwater drainage pipes.

1. Cost-effectiveness

2. Minimal damage

3. Real-time reports

4. Fast results

These advantages combine to make CCTV cameras a powerful tool for inspecting drainage pipes. It’s a mystery why some plumbing companies refuse to upgrade and step into the modern era. Here’s a closer look at the many benefits of CCTV camera inspections and why it matters to homeowners.

1. Cost Effectiveness

Simply put, a CCTV camera is the most cost-effective way to explore the inside of a drainage pipe. The most common alternative aside from this requires digging and excavation. That means expensive equipment and long hours just to see the inside of the drain pipe.

In contrast, a CCTV inspection only requires the camera, the equipment used to move it through the pipe, and the screen needed to play the video. That’s considerably more affordable and more convenient than the alternative. This doesn’t only benefit the company handling the inspection.

When the job is expensive it’s the homeowner who ends up paying the bill. By relying on a company that uses CCTV technology to inspect storm drains you are reducing your out-of-pocket expenses significantly.

2. Minimal Damage

In most cases, “no damage” would be a better example of what to expect. A CCTV camera does not require any sort of digging, excavation, or damage to your property.

Whether the company is inspecting a drain pipe from the home or an outside stormwater drain pipe; the use of a camera makes reaching that point very easy. There are a variety of cameras and rigs available that make it possible to inspect just about any drain pipe.

Some rigs are designed for pipes between 50 and 90mm while others are designed for much larger pipes. CCTV technology is becoming commonplace for inspecting stormwater drain pipes, conduits, manholes, water mains, wet wells, and underground storage tanks.

3. Real Time Reports

CCTV technology is capable of displaying the inside of the pipe in real time because it is wired directly to a display screen. The technicians can identify any forms of damage or blockage as they control the camera and navigate through the pipe system.

At the same time, all of this footage is recorded on a flash drive or DVD so that future playback can be utilised to identify additional problems.

4. Fast Results

All of the benefits mentioned above help speed up the overall process. The end result is an inspection and repair process that is completed much quicker than any alternative method. A severely damaged pipe system can be repaired or replaced in the time it takes older methods to just identify the problem.

Once again, a faster job means fewer man hours wasted and more money saved. That alone is a good enough reason to stick with CCTV drain inspections.

Call the CCTV drain experts

Don’t make the mistake of working with a plumbing service that hasn’t upgraded to CCTV technology. Some companies still believe that older techniques are more efficient.

In reality, they just want more money for a job that could be completed in a fraction of the time. When it comes to inspecting stormwater drainage systems, no method is more efficient and cost-effective than CCTV cameras.

If you suspect a stormwater drainage leak contact the experts at Austest Pipeline Solutions for more details. We can provide leak detection services and prevent further damage to your property.

31
May
2019

Drain and sewer lines are a vital component of your home’s plumbing system. These lines allow you to easily and conveniently eliminate wastewater from your home. Have a leak expert or plumber inspect your drain and sewer lines regularly to maintain a healthy drainage system.

Wastewater can be anything from human waste from your toilets to wastewater from cooking, washing hands, bathing, domestic cleaning and other related activities.

Water in your plumbing system passes through multiple drain lines that ultimately wash down into one main sewer line that exits your property. You may not know this but your drains and sewer lines need to be regularly inspected for the well-being of your property.

Why Should Drain and Sewer Lines Be Inspected?

Drains and sewers can easily become clogged due to the accumulation of waste materials in the drain lines over time. Failure to unclog these crucial wastewater exits can lead to severe damage to your home’s plumbing system.

To prevent this from occurring, you should undertake periodic inspections to determine the state of your pipes. Wastewater lines play a critical role in the general stability and functionality of your home.

Any damage to drain or sewer lines can interfere with your ability to comfortably live in your home. Damage can also lead to the deterioration of your home’s building structure.

For instance, damaged drains and sewer lines can lead to wastewater spilling back into the home. This can result in extensive water damage to your home’s structure as well as pose a health hazard. Inspecting the lines as often as you can enables you to identify any potential issues before they turn into further damage.

Drain and Sewer Line Inspection Techniques

There are various methods and techniques used to inspect sewer and drain lines. Some plumbing companies push a snake-like apparatus through the drain line to check for clogs. If any clogs or blockages are found, the plumbers will proceed to unclog and clean the drains as required. However, this procedure does not identify potential issues such as leaks or cracks in the wastewater pipes.

Leaks and cracks are common in drain and sewer lines that run outside the home. This is mainly due to exposure to plant roots, harsh environmental elements and other factors.

The Best Drain and Sewer Line Inspection Technique

The best technique used today is drain camera inspection to inspect drain and sewer lines around your property. Using this method a video camera equipment is inserted into the sewer line to check for any cracks and leaks throughout your drain pipes.

The plumber is able to view the pipe from the inside, and this includes the entire length of the line. What most people don’t realise is that many parts of a sewer line are hidden underground, in a concrete foundation or in a wall, so being able to see inside the pipe can come in handy.

If any problems are identified, the affected sections of the line can be pinpointed and marked for repairs.

When To Perform Drain and Sewer Line Inspection?

It’s highly recommended that you call a professional leaking specialist to perform a drain and sewer line inspection at least once every year.

This is important as it will help you to keep the drains on your property maintained in a healthy condition. A sewer line inspection will also help you to identify any signs of aging or wear and tear in your wastewater expulsion system. This is vital especially for old buildings that have outdated drain and sewer lines.

You can also schedule a drain or sewer line inspection if you notice a problem in your plumbing system for example low or high pressure in your water flow. Another instance is that your sinks or toilets may be working sluggishly to expel wastewater.

This is one of the many signs that should inform you that it’s time to do a thorough inspection of your drain and sewer lines. If you’re looking for a leak or plumbing expert get in touch with us today for a quote.

31
May
2019

A water leak can happen at any time, especially underground. If it does happen, it can cause a lot of problems if not detected early enough. You can always hire a professional plumber or leak specialist to detect it otherwise you can find your own DIY leak detection techniques to detect a water leak underground.

What Causes Underground Water Leaks

There are some common signs that can cause underground water leaks. These include:

Water Or Soil Chemicals – The pipes found underneath your house may crack or break due to the chemicals found in the water or soil.

These chemicals make the pipes erode causing cracks or holes that leak water into the soil underneath your home or the slab in the basement.

Earth Tremors And Natural Disasters – This can shift the ground and put a lot of pressure on the water lines.

Eventually, the water pipes will crack and the water will start moving the soil underneath the slab. As a result, your property could become a very unsafe place to live because of the health concerns and structural issues caused by earth tremors and natural disasters.

How To Detect Underground Water Leaks

If you suspect an underground water leak, there are a few methods you can use to detect it. Here we explore what you can try to detect if you have a leak happening on your property.

1. Check Your Water Meter

Do you feel like there is a leak happening underneath your house?

Start by turning off all the water including faucets, tank toilets, washing machines and so forth.

Next, you should check the water meter dial to see its current position and then wait for half an hour before checking it again.

If there is any change in position, it’s a sign there is a water leak that needs fixing. Keep in mind that underground water leaks might be rare but can happen.

For instance, they can happen if the ground levels in the basement were raised during construction, especially using filled-in soil.

2. Check The Water Bill

You should check your water bill regularly to determine if there is an underground leak.

If you have been using a steady amount of water each month in your home and you notice an increase the next month, there is most likely a water leak somewhere.

Make sure your water bill is based only on the water passing through the meter.

When you notice such a change, it’s a good idea to hire plumbing or water leak experts to do an inspection and confirm this for you.

3. Check Your Property For Water Leaks

If there is any underground water leaking, you should be able to notice the leaks when you check your property.

For instance, are there random areas of water accumulating on the property? Are there any lush spots in the yard? Do you smell something musty in your home? Is there any mould growing in your house?

Any of these indicators are common signs you need a professional leak detector or plumber to prevent further damage to your property.

4. Use Detection Equipment

There are various types of leak detection equipment available to detect water leaks happening underground. These specialised devices can narrow down and pinpoint the location of the leak which will reduce disruption costs when digging up your property to find the leak.

Some techniques may include:

Thermal imaging

This is where detecting the leak is measured by infrared radiation which shows varying temperatures in different colours, with water temperatures indicated by brighter colours (yellow, orange and red).

Leak noise correlators

Leak correlators are electronic devices used to locate leaks on pressured pipes, where the location of the leak is unknown and the distances are relatively large. This works by detecting and comparing the sound produced by the leak at two destination points along the pipeline.

Acoustic leak detection

Acoustic leak detection is a method used to detect leaks underground. This sound detection equipment involves listening to the sound of water escaping from a leak. When water escapes from a pipe, it creates a unique sound that can be picked up by sensitive microphone sensors. The sound is then analysed to determine the location and the severity of the leak. Acoustic leak detection is a non-invasive method commonly used to locate leaks accurately, which is a popular choice for water utility companies, plumbers and leak technicians.

What To Do When You Notice a Water Leak

Firstly, you need to contact a professional leak specialist to handle any underground water leaks. If you don’t have the expertise to fix everything on your own, hiring a plumber is a very good idea. Of course, you need to do your own research and due diligence to find the right plumber for the job.

Secondly, you should know that not all underground leaks will be from the water supply. They might be caused by defective drain lines or the sewer.

The professional should help you determine where it’s coming from. Remember, underground leaks often start small.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to catch them early before they cause any property damage.

Call the plumbing and leak experts

Plumbing professionals have the right tools to determine whether or not there is an underground water leak. If you have used the methods above to check for a leak and have found one, then you need to hire a leak technician or plumber for the best repair solution. For all detection of hidden water leaks get in touch with our team or call 1800 532 533 today.

30
Apr
2019

Drain cameras come in handy when your sewer system unexpectedly malfunctions at home. Unless the plumber can see what the problem is, they will be unable to come up with the right solution to fix the issue. That’s why exploring how to find a good drain camera inspection service is so important.

Since the sewer and drain lines run under the foundation of the house, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the fault.

To make life even more difficult, there is usually a 5-inch concrete slab and then approximately 2 feet of dirt, and then the pipes. So, digging through all of this is the last resort. Instead, a drain camera can perform the job of locating the fault so that the plumber can fix the causing leak problem fast.

Finding A Drain Camera Inspection Service Provider

Although there may be many plumbing companies offering a wide variety of plumbing services, most of them may not provide a drain camera inspection service. However, you shouldn’t stop searching because clogged drains can cause more problems than a simple water leak. So, here’s what you need to do:

Look for drain inspection service

Since you are looking for something specific, your search should match what you want. You will automatically notice the names of companies that offer this service.

Find experienced drain technicians

Drain camera inspections require experienced leak specialists. It will be best if you shortlist the companies according to their experience and qualifications. If the company is licensed and certified, it means they will most likely have more experience in this field.

Job photos and videos

You will get an idea of how the experts operate, and what their course of action is. After finding the fault in the drain using the camera, the plumbers should then be able to clear the drain blockage.

More often than not, blockages occur due to leaves, twigs, branches, clay, dirt, and gravel that accumulate inside the drain. This usually blocks the free flow of water and waste materials from reaching the main sewer line of the city.

As the waste material gathers inside, you will notice a pungent smell. This is an indication that there is something wrong with the drain pipes.

Talk to an experienced Leak Detector

You should immediately consult an experienced plumbing company to solve this problem. The cameras used in drain inspections are so precise that they can detect even hairline cracks in the system.

They can also record mistakes in the installation system to help the plumbers come up with an accurate solution to fix the issue. Drain camera inspections provide excellent value for money because they can solve long-term plumbing problems.

This eliminates the risk of running into a severe plumbing issue in the future. So, whenever you smell something suspicious around your house, don’t hesitate to call a plumber that offers drain camera inspection services.

We are here to help

If you are looking for trustworthy plumbers and experienced leak detectors in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions. We have more than 20 years of experience in domestic and commercial plumbing services with water leak detection being our specialty.

Please call us today for all your plumbing needs on 1800 532 533 or send an enquiry through our website.

30
Apr
2019

Plumbing problems are not something that you can fix on your own. Sometimes you need to find professionals for water leak detection services to ensure there is nothing wrong with your plumbing system.

If you have plumbing problems, this can lead to a lot of stress and a lot of inconvenience for you and your family, or for your business.

Moreover, plumbing is not limited to unclogging the kitchen sink or cleaning the sewer pipe. There can be other issues that you may not even be aware of.

That’s why professional help is needed. The following we explore tips that can help you find the best plumber near you:

Check Their License

It is easy to Google the nearest plumbing companies in your suburb, but are they worth hiring? Will they do a good job of fixing the leak problem?

These are questions that you may not have answers to. However, you can always do your research to at least try and find the most eligible plumbers.

Your first step should be to check if the company is licensed or not. Licensed leak detection plumbers have a professional background; they are experienced in their job, and you can rest assured that they will do a better job than a non-qualified tradesman.

Most importantly, licensed plumbers provide a warranty on the services they offer. They also know the local building codes. You can rest assured that they are following industry standard procedures.

Check Their Specialities

Although plumbing companies offer a variety of different services, they will always promote the one they are best at. For example, if they provide fantastic water leak detection services, they will specify that their company is the leading service provider for this problem. You can search for a reliable plumbing and leak detection company according to their speciality.

If a water leak is your primary problem, you can hire a company that excels in this particular category.

Pricing Method

After you shortlist a few companies that can meet your plumbing needs, you can then compare their prices. Most companies will provide a free quotation over the phone if you are able to clearly explain the plumbing problem to them.

Assuming the plumber is able to diagnose the problem over the phone and can give you an indicative quote, you should be able to choose the best priced plumber for the job from there. However, you also need to consider the experience of the company along with their pricing method.

If a highly-experienced company charges a few bucks more than a comparatively new company, you should opt for the services of the more experienced candidate.

Punctuality and Emergency Service

It is difficult to understand if the company is punctual unless you have hired them before. If you haven’t hired them before, you can always read the feedback from previous clients to determine their punctuality.

Since plumbing issues like water leaks require immediate help, most plumbing companies will send their technicians right away. You should also check if the company offers 24/7 emergency services. This is essential because you never know when an emergency will happen.

These tried and tested tips have helped thousands of homeowners to find the most reliable plumbers around their area, especially when a severe issue like water leak is concerned.

Call the plumbing experts today

If you are looking for professionals for water leak detection services and reliable plumbing in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions.

Please call us today for all your plumbing needs on 1800 532 533 or get in touch through our website. We will be happy to assist you!

24
Apr
2019

Plumbing and pipeline issues can be drastic for your home or business.

Even a burst pipe can lead to an immediate repair of the entire plumbing system, and that can be an expensive affair. Most of the traditional sewer repair methods are not efficient enough to fix the plumbing system for too long.

They not only involve a long repair time but the average cost of repairing is way beyond the budget of the average family. However, drain and sewer pipe relining can do the trick.

What is Drain and Sewer Pipe Relining?

Drain and sewer pipe relining is often considered a long-term fix for your pipeline issues. It is a cost-effective solution that fixes leaks and breaks in pipes and sewers, and also clears the stormwater drainage systems.

Waste material can accumulate in your sewer pipe for years, and the pressure that builds up in the pipe can lead to the pipe bursting. Therefore, you will need to call a professional plumber or drain relining company with years of relevant experience to detect and repair the problem.

The Drain Relining Process

As soon as the experts arrive on site, they will use a CCTV camera to inspect the cause of the issue. If the sewer pipe is beyond repair, relining the drain pipe is the next best option to get things working again.

Once the plumber ascertains the solution to the problem, they will clean all the debris and waste material from the pipeline using a high-pressure water jet.

It is always wise to reline the drain and sewer pipe instead of repairing it because new pipes are a costly solution to your plumbing system.

Benefits of Drain and Sewer Pipe Relining

Leaking sewer pipes is never a pleasant sight for any house. Moreover, the lingering smell is terrible. You will feel nauseous after a while, and some of your family members may also fall sick. In such cases, a thorough relining is the only solution.

There are many reasons why plumbers prefer this fix over repairs:

Drain relining is easy to perform, the entire process doesn’t take much time, and it is affordable.
The outcome of the relining provides stronger and smoother flowing drains and pipes.

The chance of waste materials clogging up the system again is minimal. Most importantly, drain relining services usually come with a guarantee of 50 years.

In addition to relining sewer pipes and drains, the plumbers can reline the stormwater drain at your property as well.

The drain relining specialist can also patch small sections in the piping system to ensure they work well when the relining is complete.

Tree-root intrusion is a significant reason why sewer and drain pipes are affected. Relining them can eliminate this risk once and for all.
Relined drain and sewer pipes are 100% leak-proof. They are stronger and more reliable than the original pipes.

Call on the drain relining experts

The moment you notice a leak in one of your drains or sewer pipes, you need to contact a qualified plumber immediately. Most plumbing companies provide 24/7 emergency services. So, you shouldn’t think of what time it is; your focus should be on getting the problem fixed as soon as possible.

If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable drain relining service in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions. Our 30+ years of experience in detecting water leaks and relining drains has given us the confidence to repair any type of leaking pipes.

24
Apr
2019

Drain pipes and water pipes are highly susceptible to leaks and blockages occurring.

These leaks or blockages can be very difficult to detect without the use of CCTV camera equipment, especially if they occur a long way down the pipeline.

In order to identify a leak in a water pipe, it is also necessary to use the correct process during a CCTV inspection.

The following 3 steps are essential for a successful leak detection inspections:

Step 1 – Accessing The Pipes

Keeping in mind that water pipes are located underground, an access point for the camera will need to be located from where the camera can be inserted and guided along the pipelines.

In some cases, it may be necessary to use a remote-controlled crawler on wheels to guide the camera through the plumbing system.

Step 2 – Monitoring The Footage

A trained technician will observe the live feed from the CCTV camera on a monitor as it is guided along the pipes.

They will carefully look for and identify any faults that may exist in the pipes or where cracks or damage may have caused a leak.

They will log their findings according to where the leak (or in the case of a drain, where the blockage) is located.

A common problem of blockages in drain pipes is where tree roots may have grown into the pipes.

It can be difficult to continue with the inspection as guiding the camera through the roots can be problematic depending on the extent of the root growth.

Monitoring the footage, in this case, can be a time-consuming process as the entire interior circumference of each section of the pipe will need to be checked thoroughly in order for the inspection to achieve the best results.

However, footage of the feed can be recorded of any relevant cracks, damage or faults that are found along the waterline or in the drain pipes.

Step 3 – Reporting

Every fault that was logged will be entered into a report that will be submitted to the relevant client or customer along with the relevant footage for evidence of any leaks or blockages that were detected.

If no faults were identified, then this will also be reflected in the report.

If the inspection needed to be halted for any reason or until repairs or tree roots are removed, this will be stated in the report.

A plan of the water or drainage pipes will also be provided along with each area where a fault was detected along the system.

The CCTV inspection report can be used to ensure quick and efficient repairs of any and all leaks or the removal of blockages along the pipeline.

If necessary, the report can also serve to prove that there are no faults along the line.

There are many reasons why a drain camera pipe inspection may be beneficial:

Where the source of a drain of water or blockage is not easily detectable.
Where prior repairs or blockage removals were unsuccessful
In the event of a blocked drain emergency

Book a drain inspection today

If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable leak detection company in Melbourne, then look no further than Austest Pipeline Solutions. We have more than 20 years’ experience in domestic, commercial, and industrial plumbing with water leak detection being our core service.

Please call us today for all your water leak needs on 1800 532 533 or get in touch with us through our website.

28
Nov
2018

Any home or business is vulnerable to leaking pipes. Understanding what usually causes these leaks will help you be prepared to deal with them promptly.

6 Common Problems That Lead To Pipe Leaks

Normal Deterioration

The water and sewage pipes in homes and businesses are usually made from the following materials:

Copper – More than half of all clean water pipes are made of copper because it is naturally resistant to corrosion.
PVC – Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) are flexible and durable which makes them practical for both clean water and sewage.
ABS – Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) pipes are a little stronger and more resistant to impact than PVC pipes.

Most pipes have an average lifespan of 50 years and as they near this point, they develop weak areas that are prone to leaking.

Faulty Seals

As plumbers install pipes, they connect straight pipes to elbows, tees, reducers and other pipe fittings to direct the flow of water or sewage. Every time a pipe connects to another pipe or fitting the joint is sealed with a special cement or resin to prevent leaks.

Time and fluctuations in temperature cause the cement and resin in pipe joints to dry out, shrink and crack which can cause a leak.

Worn Elbows

Elbow pipes are installed between two straight pipes to change the direction of the water or sewage. Elbow pipes create a 45° or 90° angle and withstand a lot of wear and tear as the liquid in them slows and changes direction.

Some leaks are caused by elbow pipes that have worn to the point of cracking or pulling away from the straight pipes they are connected to.

High Water Pressure

Water gains momentum and pressure as it travels underground in large water mains. Water supply networks are designed to slow the water and decrease its pressure to about 500 kPa as it leaves the mains and before it enters the smaller pipes in homes and businesses.

Sometimes, though, the water doesn’t slow down as it should and the excess water pressure can damage ABS, PVC and copper pipes.

Shifting and Settling

Soil shifts for many different reasons. Rain causes it to swell and drought makes it shrink. Soil also shifts as organic compounds in it breakdown and are either absorbed by plants or washed away.

As the ground shifts, pipes settle into new positions and sometimes it isn’t a good position. Perhaps the pipe lacks support underneath it or has too much weight on top of it. Either way, the pipe or a joint can be damaged and begin to leak.

Unresolved Clogs

Hair, soap, food waste and mineral build up are just a few of the things that collect in pipes and clog them. Most clogs don’t make a pipe leak immediately. If they aren’t resolved, though, the blockage encourages water and sewage to stagnate in the pipe and this can permanently damage the pipe over time.

Call the experts for leaking pipes today

Abnormal wet spots in the yard, stains on floors, walls or ceilings, and unexplained increases in water usage are all signs of leaking pipes. If your home or business is experiencing any of these signs, then it’s best to call a leak detector like Austest Pipeline Solutions. We specialise in locating your water leak and finding the source so it can be repaired to prevent further damage to your property.

01
Sep
2018

The average family uses about 900 liters of water every day. Water pipes transport clean water to their homes and sewage pipes carry waste water away.

Tree roots often grow into these pipes and if left unchecked can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage. If you are a property owner, you need to understand water and sewage pipes, as well as trees and their roots, and 3 important ways to keep tree roots from damaging your drain pipes.

Understanding water and sewage pipes

The miles of pipes that travel beneath our homes, businesses and city streets can be made of 5 different materials:

Copper – Over 50% of clean water pipes are made of copper. Copper pipes are light, yet strong and generally resistant to corrosion.
Vitrified Clay – Vitrified clay pipes are often used to carry sewage because they are cheap to make and immune to the acids in wastewater.
PVC – Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) can be used for both clean water and sewage. They are flexible, light-weight, durable and cost efficient.
Reinforced Cement – Reinforced cement pipes are excellent for major sewage lines. They can withstand heavy loads and high pressure, and rarely break.
Galvanized Steel – Steel pipes with a protective layer of zinc are often used to transport clean water because they are both strong and flexible.

All pipes age with time and develop weak areas which are vulnerable to tree roots.

Understanding trees and their roots

A tree’s roots generally grow out horizontally rather than deep and the whole root system can measure 2-3 times the diameter of the tree’s crown.

The largest of these roots work to anchor the tree to the ground, while small “feeder” roots look for water and nutrient-rich organic matter. In their search for water and organic =, a tree’s feeder roots often find the weak areas in water and sewage pipes and begin to grow into them.

3 Ways to prevent tree roots from damaging your pipes

A tree’s roots enter drain pipes through weak areas and then gradually fill the pipe to the point of obstructing the movement of water or sewage. There are 3 ways that you can prevent tree roots from doing major damage to your water lines:

Don’t plant trees near your pipes – Before you plant trees near your house, determine where the water and sewage pipes are so that you can plant the trees away from them.

Kill the tree roots in your pipes – Periodically flushing copper sulfate or foaming root killers down your home’s toilets will kill tree roots that have entered your pipes. These chemical treatments also leave behind a chemical barrier that will prevent new roots from entering the pipe for a limited time.

Call a plumber – A plumber can use a camera inspection to determine where tree roots have entered your pipes and the severity of the problems they are causing. They can also remove the roots with a hydro jetter or drain auger.

If your toilets and drains are backing up or if your home has consistently low water pressure, your pipes might have a problem with tree roots. Contact Austest Pipeline Solutions for a full diagnosis and solution to your drainage issues.

05
Jun
2018

Every day the water pipes in your home or office transport about 300 litres of water for every person in the building. A 3mm crack in one of these pipes can waste 900 liters of water in a day, besides also increasing your water bill and causing property damage.

Our team of leak detectors in Melbourne takes your water leaks very seriously. We employ a variety of specialized equipment and methods to do our job and we want to share with you how we detect leaks in water pipelines.

Four methods of leak detection

Years ago the standard method for finding a water leak was to dig along the pipeline until the culprit was found. Thanks to advances in pipeline leak detection technology, we can now avoid digging up floors and yards by using sound waves, tracer gas, loss analysis and thermal imaging to find broken pipes.

Acoustic test – Water escaping from a broken pipe makes gurgling, hissing or whooshing noises. We use an acoustic ground microphone with a headset and a special meter that registers the loudness of the sound to locate these noises and pinpoint the leak. Depending on the size of the pipe and the type of soil surrounding it, the acoustic detection method can find leaks that are over a meter deep and several meters away
Tracer gas detection – Water leaks that can not be heard can often be found with tracer gas. To do this test, we empty the water out of the pipeline and then fill it with pressurized inert gas. Once the gas reaches the crack in the pipe it begins to escape and rise to the surface where we are able to identify it with a sensitive gas detector. This gas is non-corrosive and non-toxic, so it can be safely used in both water and sewage pipes.
Loss analysis – Water leaking out of a pipe causes loss of water pressure and volume. We often analyze these losses with correlation equipment to detect leaks in water mains and other large pipes.
Thermal imaging – Leaks in hot water pipes can be found using the water leak tests that we have already mentioned, but it is even easier to find them with an infrared camera using thermal imaging technology. Infrared cameras detect heat energy and then transform it into a thermal image. These images delineate the hot water pipe and any water escaping from it.

We have been busy finding leaks in homes and businesses for over twenty years. These four ways of identifying water leaks have proven their worth again and again by finding leaks quickly and saving our customers time and money in the long run.

Call the leak experts

Preventing damage to water pipes is just as important as repairing them. With this in mind, we also provide underground pipe locating services. If you are thinking of breaking up a concrete floor or doing some serious digging on your property, allow Austest Pipeline Solutions to locate the water pipes and save you the hassle and cost of repairing or replacing them later on.