03 9888 2887
Karen has lived in the Upwey hills for 40 years, still maintaining the home where she raised her children, even getting on the roof to clean the gutters. A true go-getter, Karen often tackles repairs herself.
One morning, while heading down the street, Karen noticed a stream of water flowing from her driveway’s retaining wall, running down the drive, across the main road and pooling in a neighbour’s yard, creating a boggy area. After a quick inspection, Karen realised she needed an expert in water leak detection in Melbourne to fix the issue.
Andrew visited the site the same day to assess the situation. After discussing the options with Karen, they agreed that using specialised leak detection equipment would be the best approach to locate the issue. Karen accepted the quote, and Andrew arranged with the O’Shea Plumbing office to adjust his schedule, freeing up himself and colleague Luke to begin work the next morning and resolve the problem as quickly as possible.
The next day, Andrew and Luke got straight to work and discovered that the water pipes were located on the opposite side of the property. Although this created some initial confusion, they followed the leak detection process and eventually traced the problem to two garden taps. A galvanised iron branch ran under the driveway, leading to the area where the leak was visible.
Shortly after, Luke and Andrew pinpointed the leak to a section of galvanised iron water pipe about 10 metres away from where the water was appearing at the retaining wall. The pipe was in a very challenging location to repair, and its poor condition made repairs impractical.
Andrew discussed the options with Karen. One option was to attempt a repair, though there was no guarantee of how long it would last. The other option was to perform a partial water renewal by running a new section of copper water pipe from the water meter to the garage, through and over the garage, and connecting it to the existing copper pipe under the house. This plan would bypass the tee connected to the leaking galvanised branch, effectively stopping the leak.
Karen was pleased with the plan, as it not only resolved the immediate issue but also future-proofed her home. She accepted the new quote, and O’Shea Plumbing began the partial renewal the following morning.
That day happened to be Karen’s 70th birthday, so when Andrew handed the job over to the installation team (O’Shea Plumbing’s full-time employees), he introduced Karen to the plumbers and explained the work required. To make the day special, Andrew even bought a bunch of flowers for Karen.
By the end of the day, the team had successfully installed the new pipes and connected them to the house, ensuring a leak-free water supply.
Water leaks can vary in size, from large leaks to minor drips or even a fine mist. Sometimes, clients aren’t aware of a leak until they receive a higher-than-expected water bill. To catch leaks early, it’s wise to regularly check your water meter. If the water meter is ticking over when no water is being used in the home, it could indicate a leak.
O’Shea Plumbing has over 45 years of experience in detecting water leaks, often using non-invasive investigation methods. We can also conduct tests to confirm whether you have a water leak or if you need a gas leak plumber.
For any information or advice, please contact the team at O’Shea Plumbing on (03) 9888 2887.