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Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. High-pressure water jetting — also called hydro jetting — is the professional standard for clearing blocked drains. Unlike a hand-held drain snake, which pokes a hole through a blockage and leaves debris behind, a water jet uses sustained high-pressure flow to cut through root masses, break up grease and fat accumulation, and flush all debris clear of the pipe. This guide explains how it works, what the numbers mean, and when jetting is the right tool versus when a deeper diagnostic is needed. How High-Pressure Water Jetting Works A hydro jet unit pumps water from a tank through a hose fitted with a specialised nozzle, which is fed into the drain. The nozzle has forward-facing jets to cut through the blockage and rear-facing jets that propel the head through the pipe while simultaneously flushing debris back toward the access point. The combination of pressure and flow rate is what makes it effective — pressure alone cuts; flow clears. ATC Plumbing operates a Bar Group unit rated at 5,500 PSI and 28 litres per minute. That combination of pressure and flow is sufficient to cut through established root masses in residential and light commercial drains — not just surface debris — and to flush the cut material clear rather than leaving it to reaccumulate downstream. What 5,500 PSI Actually Means in Practice Pressure is only one part of the equation. A common misconception is that higher PSI always means better performance. In drain jetting, flow rate (litres per minute) is equally important — it determines whether debris is actually transported out of the pipe once cut. A high-pressure unit with low flow will cut root material but may not move it far enough to clear the blockage completely. Domestic jetter units typically run at 1,500–2,500 PSI and 8–12 L/min — adequate for grease and light debris in household drains. Professional units like ours at 5,500 PSI and 28 L/min handle heavy root infiltration, compacted debris and commercial grease deposits that domestic units cannot shift. Truck-mounted jetting rigs (used for larger council or main-line work) operate at significantly higher flow rates again — different application, not the same job. When Jetting Is the Right Tool — and When It Isn't Hydro jetting is the right first response for most drain blockages — particularly where grease, debris accumulation or light root intrusion is suspected. It's fast, thorough, and leaves the pipe interior clean rather than just punched through. Where jetting is not the complete answer is in drains with a structural problem: a cracked or collapsed pipe section, a significant joint offset, or a root entry point that will simply regrow. In these cases, jetting clears the blockage but doesn't fix what's causing it — and the drain will block again. This is why we follow recurring blockages with a CCTV camera inspection: fast arrival and jetting clears the immediate problem, then accurate diagnosis via camera finds the underlying cause, then a permanent fix — relining or targeted repair — ends the cycle. Hydro Jetting vs Drain Snake: The Key Differences A drain snake creates a hole through the blockage. Jetting removes the blockage and cleans the pipe wall — significantly reducing the chance of rapid reblocking. A snake cannot remove grease and fat that has adhered to the pipe wall. High-pressure flow scours the wall surface. Jetting is more effective for root masses — the high-pressure forward jets cut through root material that a rotating snake cable would struggle to penetrate. A snake may be preferable for very fragile older pipes where high-pressure water could cause further damage — this is assessed on-site before jetting begins. Common Questions About High-Pressure Water Jetting Will high-pressure jetting damage my pipes? In sound pipes, no. The pressure is calibrated to clear blockages, not damage pipe walls. For older clay or deteriorated pipes, we assess condition before applying full pressure — and a CCTV inspection beforehand removes any guesswork. Can jetting remove tree roots permanently? Jetting cuts tree roots present in the pipe but doesn't prevent regrowth — roots will return through the same entry point. A permanent solution requires sealing that entry point, either via CIPP pipe relining or targeted pipe repair. What is the difference between PSI and flow rate in a jetter? PSI (pounds per square inch) is the pressure that cuts through the blockage. Flow rate (litres per minute) is what flushes debris clear of the pipe. Both matter — a high-PSI, low-flow unit cuts but doesn't clear. Our Bar Group unit at 5,500 PSI and 28 L/min delivers both. Do you provide a fixed-price quote before jetting? Yes — we quote before starting work. No hidden call-out fees, no surprises. If a CCTV inspection is recommended after jetting, that's quoted separately and explained clearly before proceeding. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · the complete guide to blocked drains

Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. Commercial drain blockages are a different problem from residential ones — in cause, consequence and the response required. A blocked drain in a food tenancy, industrial facility or multi-tenancy commercial building needs to be understood on its own terms, not treated like a household sewer backup. This guide explains how commercial drain problems differ, what grease traps and trade waste systems involve, and why getting the diagnosis right before clearing matters more in a commercial setting than anywhere else. How Commercial Drain Blockages Differ from Residential In a residential property, drain blockages are typically caused by tree roots, fat and grease, or foreign objects. The drain serves a predictable set of fixtures — kitchen, bathroom, laundry — and the consequence of a blockage, while disruptive, is usually contained to the household. In a commercial property the variables multiply: Volume — commercial kitchens, food processing, and industrial sites produce far higher drain loads than residential properties. Grease accumulates faster, debris volumes are larger. Trade waste compliance — commercial food tenancies are required by their water authority to manage trade waste (grease, food particles, oils) before it enters the sewer. Grease traps are the primary mechanism. A blocked or overflowing grease trap is a compliance issue, not just a plumbing problem. Consequence — a blocked drain in a commercial kitchen or food outlet may force closure. The cost of downtime and lost trade typically far exceeds the cost of the plumbing repair. Pipe infrastructure — commercial properties often have larger-diameter pipes, more complex drain networks, and sometimes stormwater and sewer lines that have been incorrectly cross-connected over time. Grease Traps: What They Are and What Goes Wrong A grease trap (also called a grease interceptor) is a tank installed between the kitchen drainage and the sewer connection. It slows the flow of wastewater enough for fats, oils and grease to cool, solidify, and float to the surface — where they're retained in the trap rather than entering the sewer. The retained material is pumped out periodically by a licensed liquid waste contractor. The most common grease trap failures we attend are: a trap that hasn't been pumped often enough and is full (grease bypasses into the sewer and accumulates in the downstream drain); a cracked or failed trap body leaking into the ground; and a trap that has been incorrectly sized for the kitchen volume. In all three cases, simply jetting the downstream drain is not the solution — the trap itself is the source of the problem and needs to be inspected and addressed. Real Example: Dandenong Plaza Trade Waste, 2023 In 2023 we were called to Dandenong Plaza for a recurring trade waste drain problem in the food court precinct. The downstream drain had been cleared multiple times by other contractors without resolving the issue. Our CCTV inspection identified a grease accumulation pattern consistent with a grease trap that had been bypassing — the trap was full and grease was passing directly into the sewer drain. We coordinated the pump-out, inspected the trap body, and cleared the downstream pipe in a single managed attendance. The blockage pattern stopped. Real Example: Dandenong Club Stormwater, October 2025 In October 2025 we attended the Dandenong Club on a Friday night for a blocked 300mm stormwater main that had caused flooding. Alongside clearing the blockage with high-pressure jetting, our CCTV camera located a mobile phone that had been flushed into the system — found and retrieved from approximately 12 metres into the line. The combination of a major blockage, large-diameter pipe, and time-sensitive situation (Friday night, active venue) illustrates the kind of commercial drain job that requires equipment and experience beyond a standard residential callout. Fast arrival → accurate diagnosis → permanent fix, regardless of the hour. What to Do When a Commercial Drain Blocks Stop putting material down affected fixtures immediately to prevent backup escalation. Identify which fixtures are affected — a single sink backing up is different from all drains on a floor backing up simultaneously. Call a plumber with commercial drain experience who will bring a CCTV camera, not just a jetter. If the blockage involves a grease trap, notify your liquid waste contractor. Document the incident for your property manager and insurer. Common Questions About Commercial Drain Blockages How is a commercial grease trap blockage different from a regular drain blockage? A grease trap blockage means the trap is full or failed and grease is bypassing into the sewer drain. Simply jetting the downstream drain will not fix it — the trap needs to be pumped out and inspected. Clearing the drain without addressing the trap will produce a repeat blockage quickly. How often should a commercial grease trap be pumped out? Frequency depends on kitchen volume and trap size — typically every 1–3 months for a busy food tenancy. Your water authority trade waste agreement specifies the minimum requirement. A trap reaching capacity before the scheduled pump-out indicates it's undersized or the schedule needs adjusting. Do you work on commercial properties outside business hours? Yes — ATC Plumbing is available 24/7 including weekends and public holidays for commercial drain emergencies. We have attended Friday night callouts, Christmas period emergencies, and weekend stoppages for commercial clients including Jasbe Petroleum sites, McDonald's, and Dandenong Club. Can you provide documentation for a property manager or insurer after a commercial drain job? Yes — we provide written job reports including CCTV footage summaries, cause of blockage, work performed, and recommendations. These are suitable for property management records, insurance claims, and body corporate documentation. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: commercial plumbing maintenance plans · the complete guide to blocked drains

Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. A sewer backup is one of the most stressful plumbing emergencies a homeowner can face — sewage rising in toilets, shower drains, or floor grates, sometimes simultaneously. Knowing what to do immediately, what not to do, and when to call for help can limit damage significantly. This guide covers the right response, step by step. What Is a Sewer Backup and Why Does It Happen? A sewer backup occurs when the main sewer line serving a property becomes blocked — either by a blockage in your own drain, by a blockage in the council main that causes backflow into your property, or by a collapsed or heavily root-affected section of pipe. Unlike a localised blockage in a single fixture, a sewer backup affects all the drains in the home because they all connect to the same main line. The most common causes in Melbourne's south-east are tree root intrusion in ageing clay pipes — roots that have been partially cleared in the past but have regrown and finally caused a full blockage — and structural pipe failure where a section has collapsed under load. Both causes require a CCTV inspection to confirm before an accurate permanent fix can be quoted. What to Do Immediately When Your Sewer Backs Up Stop using all water immediately. Every flush, every tap, every appliance adds volume to a system that has nowhere to drain — and increases the overflow. Do not flush the toilet. This is the single most common mistake in a sewer backup situation — it adds a significant volume of water and raw sewage directly to an already overwhelmed system. Keep people and pets away from affected areas. Sewage contains pathogens — E. coli, hepatitis A, and other harmful organisms. Limit exposure and clean up with gloves and appropriate disinfectant. Check your street's kerb channel. If sewage is also appearing in the street, the blockage may be in the council main — call Melbourne Water and your council's emergency line in addition to a plumber. Call a licensed plumber immediately. A sewer backup is an emergency — not something to leave until morning or until it 'clears itself.' It will not clear itself. What NOT to Do During a Sewer Backup Do not use chemical drain cleaners. They will not clear a main sewer blockage and create a chemical hazard on top of the sewage hazard. Do not attempt to clear the blockage yourself with a hire drain machine. Without knowing the pipe condition from a CCTV inspection, an aggressive drain machine can damage a partially collapsed pipe and turn a blockage into a collapse. Do not ignore it hoping it resolves. A partial sewer blockage that produces intermittent backflow will become a full backup. The longer it runs, the more sewage contamination you're dealing with. What Happens When the Plumber Arrives A plumber attending a sewer backup will first identify whether the blockage is on your side of the property boundary or in the council main — this determines responsibility. If it's on your side, the process is: high-pressure jetting to clear the blockage and restore flow, followed by a CCTV inspection to find what caused it. Fast arrival → accurate diagnosis → permanent fix. Clearing the blockage without inspecting the cause means it will happen again, possibly within weeks. At Ronald McDonald House in April 2026, we attended a blocked sewer that had caused a backup across multiple bathrooms in the facility. We cleared the blockage, ran a CCTV inspection to confirm the cause, and had the system running normally within three hours — minimising disruption to the families staying there. Common Questions About Sewer Backups Is a sewer backup covered by home insurance? It depends on your policy. Many home insurance policies cover internal water damage from a sudden and accidental sewer backup but exclude gradual damage or situations where the cause was a known pre-existing condition. Call your insurer promptly and document everything — photos before cleanup, the plumber's written report, and CCTV footage if available. How do I know if the blockage is my responsibility or the council's? Responsibility typically sits at the property boundary — the drain from your home to the boundary is yours; the council main from the boundary to the street is theirs. If multiple properties in your street are affected simultaneously, the blockage is almost certainly in the council main and Melbourne Water should be notified. How do I clean up after a sewer backup? Wear gloves and eye protection. Remove and bag contaminated material. Clean hard surfaces with a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water). Porous materials — carpet, soft furnishings — that have been saturated with sewage generally need professional remediation or disposal. Ventilate the area thoroughly. Can a sewer backup happen again after it's been cleared? Yes — if the underlying cause isn't addressed. A jetting clear removes the blockage but not the root entry point or structural damage causing it. A CCTV inspection followed by pipe relining or targeted repair is the permanent fix that prevents recurrence. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · choosing a trustworthy emergency plumber · the complete guide to blocked drains

What Is a CCTV Drain Inspection? A CCTV drain inspection involves feeding a waterproof camera on a flexible rod through your drain pipes to visually inspect them from the inside. The camera transmits live footage to a monitor so our plumber can see exactly what's happening — cracks, joint separations, root intrusion, pipe collapse, grease build-up, and foreign objects are all clearly visible. It's the diagnostic equivalent of an X-ray for your drainage system. When Do You Need One? We recommend a CCTV inspection for any drain that has blocked more than once in 12 months, any unexplained slow drainage that doesn't respond to DIY clearing, before buying an older property (pre-purchase inspection), when multiple drains are slow simultaneously, and when you suspect tree root intrusion. Without a camera, a plumber is guessing at the cause — and guessing costs you money in the long run. What Can a CCTV Camera Find? A drain camera reveals tree root intrusion at specific joints, cracked or broken pipe sections, joint separations where pipes have shifted or settled, pipe bellying (sagging sections where waste pools and blockages form), foreign objects lodged in the pipe, incorrect fall or grading, and connections to the wrong drainage system. Pre-Purchase Drain Inspections A CCTV drain inspection before purchasing an older Melbourne property is one of the most valuable things a buyer can do. Drain replacement or relining is a significant expense — knowing the pipe condition before you sign gives you negotiating power and avoids nasty surprises after settlement. ATC Plumbing provides written reports suitable for use in property negotiations. How Much Does It Cost? A CCTV drain inspection typically costs $150–$300 for a standard residential inspection. When combined with high-pressure jetting on the same visit, many plumbers offer a combined price. ATC Plumbing carries camera equipment on every van — we can inspect on the spot when attending a blocked drain call. Call 1300 282 758 for same-day CCTV drain inspection across Melbourne's south-east. Related reading: pre-purchase plumbing inspections · stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · the complete guide to blocked drains

Stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne usually come down to three things: water that can’t get away fast enough, pipes that have cracked or filled with roots, and confusion over who is actually responsible for fixing them. As a general rule, everything from your roof to the council’s drain is yours, and that surprises a lot of homeowners. Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, as a trusted plumber in Melbourne, diagnoses and fixes stormwater faults across Melbourne’s south-east and Bayside. This guide explains what causes them, how they get fixed for good by the best plumbers in Melbourne, and exactly where your responsibility ends and the council’s begins. What causes stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne homes? Stormwater carries rain from your roof, paving and surfaces away to the public network. When it backs up or pools, the cause is almost always one of these: Reactive clay soils. Much of the south-east sits on clay that swells and shrinks with moisture, slowly cracking older clay and earthenware stormwater pipes and pulling joints apart. Tree-root intrusion. Roots find their way into pipe joints chasing moisture, then expand and trap debris. It is Melbourne’s most common drainage problem, and stormwater lines are just as vulnerable as sewers. Undersized or aged pipes. Older systems were never sized for today’s intense summer downpours, so they surcharge and water surfaces in the yard or against the house. Blocked pits and downpipes. Silted stormwater pits, leaf-choked downpipes and charged (pressurised) lines that have lost their seal all stop water moving. Wrong fall. Pipes laid at the wrong grade, often poor original workmanship — let water pool instead of draining away. Common warning signs are water pooling near the foundations or under the house after rain, pits that overflow in a downpour, damp brickwork, erosion along a boundary, and gurgling drains. Stormwater or sewer: why the difference matters Stormwater and sewer are two separate systems. Stormwater takes clean rainwater to the council or Melbourne Water network; the sewer takes wastewater from your toilets, sinks and showers to the sewerage system. It is against the rules to cross-connect them. The distinction matters because a stormwater problem — flooding, pooling, an overflowing pit is handled very differently from a sanitary blockage or a sewage overflow, which is a health risk and a different blocked drain repair altogether. Who is responsible for stormwater drains — you or the council? This is where most homeowners get caught out. Responsibility is split at a point called the legal point of discharge. Your responsibility. You own and must maintain every stormwater pipe, pit, gutter and downpipe within your boundary — and the pipe that carries your stormwater out to the council’s nominated legal point of discharge. That often includes the section of pipe running under the nature strip or road reserve to the kerb or council drain. If it carries your water, it is generally yours to maintain. The council’s (or Melbourne Water’s) responsibility. Beyond the legal point of discharge, the asset owner takes over — usually your local council for local street drainage, and Melbourne Water for larger regional catchments (generally those above about 60 hectares). Overland flow. You must accept natural overland flow from neighbouring or public land, and you must not divert or redirect stormwater so it floods a neighbour. Water flooding a neighbour from a faulty private system is generally treated as a civil matter between owners, and you can be liable for the damage. Your legal point of discharge is nominated by your council and was usually set by the building surveyor when the property was approved. These obligations sit under the Victorian Water Act 1989. For your property’s exact discharge point and rules, your local council or Melbourne Water is the authority to ask — this guide is general information, not legal advice. How do you fix a stormwater drainage problem for good with a Trusted Stormwater Plumber in Melbourne? A cheap fix clears the symptom; a permanent fix finds and removes the cause. That is the difference between paying once and paying every wet season. Our approach is built around it: Our emergency plumbers arrive fast , often within the hour across the south-east — put a Ridgid CCTV drain camera (40–305mm) through the line to see exactly what is happening, then fix the actual fault rather than clearing it and leaving. Depending on what the CCTV inspection shows, the permanent fix might be: Hydro-jetting to cut out roots, silt and debris and fully clear the line. Pipe relining — sealing cracks and root-entry points from the inside with no-dig CIPP technology and a 35-year design life, often without digging up gardens, driveways or paths. We explain the choice in our guide to pipe relining versus replacement. Re-laying or upgrading sections at the correct fall, installing new pits or subsoil (ag) drains, or increasing pipe capacity where the old system simply can’t cope. When should you call a plumber about stormwater? Call a blocked drain plumber or stormwater plumber when water pools near or under the house after rain, when a pit overflows, when you notice damp or erosion, or when downpipes back up. If water is entering the subfloor or the home during heavy rain, treat it as urgent. It is one of the urgent issues worth acting on immediately. Acting early is the cheap option: stormwater damage to footings and foundations costs far more to repair than the drainage fault that caused it. Common questions about stormwater drainage in Melbourne Who is responsible for the stormwater drain in my nature strip? You are. You are responsible for the stormwater pipe carrying water from your property to the council’s nominated legal point of discharge, including the section that runs under the nature strip or road reserve. Beyond that connection point it becomes the council’s or Melbourne Water’s. For your exact point of discharge, ask your local council. Why does my backyard flood every time it rains heavily? Usually an undersized, blocked or broken stormwater system — silted pits, root-filled or cracked pipes, leaf-choked downpipes, or pipes laid at the wrong fall. A CCTV drain camera inspection shows the actual cause so it can be fixed rather than guessed at. Can stormwater pipes be relined instead of dug up? Yes. Cracked or root-affected stormwater pipes can often be relined using no-dig CIPP technology, sealing the pipe from the inside with a long design life and no need to excavate gardens, driveways or paths. Is a blocked stormwater drain an emergency? It can be. If water is pooling against the building or entering the subfloor or home during heavy rain, treat it as urgent to protect the foundations and structure. We answer the phone 24/7 and can usually reach the south-east within the hour. My neighbour’s stormwater is flooding my property — what can I do? Stormwater flowing onto your land from a neighbour’s faulty or inadequate private system is generally a civil matter between owners, and your council usually cannot intervene. An independent written report identifying the source helps you resolve it; for overland-flow disputes, your local council can advise. Get a free Quote now Written/reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Association. Updated May 2026 Related reading: commercial plumbing maintenance plans · pre-purchase plumbing inspections · the complete guide to blocked drains

Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. If your drain keeps blocking — even after another plumber has already cleared it — the problem almost certainly isn't the blockage itself. It's what's causing the blockage that no one has properly diagnosed. This guide explains why recurring blocked drains happen, what genuine diagnostic work looks like, and how to stop the same drain failing every few months. Why Does the Same Drain Keep Blocking After Jetting? High-pressure water jetting is an effective way to clear a drain. But jetting removes the symptom — not the cause. If a drain has recurring blockages, something is feeding them: tree root regrowth, a cracked or collapsed pipe section, a joint offset that catches debris, or a pipe pitch that lets solids settle. Until that underlying condition is found and fixed, the drain will block again — sometimes within weeks. The three most common causes we find in Melbourne south-east and Bayside homes: Tree root intrusion — roots enter through a joint crack and regrow after cutting. Common in pre-1980 clay and concrete pipes throughout Melbourne's inner south-east. Pipe damage — a cracked, collapsed or offset section that accumulates debris at the exact same point every time. Grease and fat build-up — particularly in kitchen drains where lipids congeal on deteriorated or rough pipe walls. What Real Diagnosis Looks Like: CCTV Drain Inspection A recurring drain problem requires a CCTV drain camera inspection — a camera fed through the pipe to record the pipe wall, joints and any damage in real time. We use a Ridgid CCTV system with sufficient resolution to identify root mass, fractures, joint separation, pipe belly and collapsed sections even through bends. Without camera footage, a plumber is guessing. Clearing a recurring drain blind is like treating a fractured bone with paracetamol — it addresses the feeling, not the fracture. Once we have footage, we give you an accurate diagnosis and a permanent fix recommendation, not just another clear. Permanent Fixes: Pipe Relining vs Targeted Replacement Once the camera confirms the cause, we discuss your options honestly. For pipe damage or persistent root entry at specific points, CIPP pipe relining is often the right answer: a structural liner is installed inside the existing pipe, sealing cracks and closing root entry points without excavation. Our relining work carries a 35-year structural warranty. Where a section is too severely collapsed to reline, targeted excavation and replacement of that section is the right call — and we'll say so, clearly, rather than selling you a solution that won't last. Fast arrival → accurate diagnosis → permanent fix. That's the approach that ends a recurring drain problem, rather than turning it into a quarterly expense. A Real Example: Recurring Sewer — Three Prior Plumbers Had Missed It In February 2026 we attended a home in Oakleigh where the owner had called three different plumbers over 18 months for a repeatedly backing-up sewer. Each plumber had cleared it and left. When we put our CCTV camera through, we found a 40mm section of completely collapsed pipe roughly 4.5 metres from the access point — invisible to jetting alone, but accumulating solids on every flush. We relined that section in a single visit. The drain hasn't failed since. When Should You Request a CCTV Drain Inspection? Request a camera inspection if the same drain has blocked more than once in 12 months; if your previous plumber cleared it but couldn't explain why it blocked; if you're buying a property and want to know the pipe condition before settlement; or if you're in a home built before 1980 with original clay or concrete drain lines. A CCTV inspection is a modest upfront investment that typically saves several call-out fees — and avoids the water damage that accompanies a full sewer backup. Common Questions About Recurring Blocked Drains Why does my drain block even after it's been jetted? Jetting clears the blockage but doesn't fix what's causing it. Root regrowth, pipe damage or a joint offset will produce a new blockage at the same point. A CCTV inspection identifies the underlying cause so it can be permanently addressed. How long does a CCTV drain inspection take? Most residential inspections take 30–60 minutes. You receive a verbal briefing on the day and a written summary — useful for insurance claims or property sales. Is CIPP pipe relining a permanent fix? CIPP pipe relining carries a 35-year structural warranty. It seals cracks and closes root entry points from the inside, eliminating the recurring failure point without digging up your yard or driveway. Do you provide a fixed-price quote before starting work? Yes — we provide a fixed-price quote before any work begins. No hidden call-out fees, no surprises on the invoice. See our transparent pricing guide for detail. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: plumbing in heritage and older Melbourne homes · stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · the complete guide to blocked drains

Why Tree Roots Are Melbourne's Biggest Drain Problem Melbourne's south-east suburbs sit on hundreds of kilometres of ageing clay sewer pipes laid in the 1950s and 60s. These pipes have joints every 900mm–1800mm — each one a potential entry point for tree roots. Roots are drawn to sewer pipes because they offer warmth, moisture, and nutrients. Even a hairline crack at a joint is enough for fine root tips to enter. Once inside, they grow — slowly at first, then progressively until the pipe is blocked. Which Trees Are the Worst Offenders? In Melbourne's south-east, the most problematic trees for sewer pipes are large fig species (including Port Jackson and Moreton Bay figs), willows, poplars, camphor laurels, and liquidambars. Smaller trees like bottlebrush and grevillea can also cause issues when planted directly above sewer lines. Council street trees are a frequent culprit — their roots extend well beyond the footpath and directly into ageing sewer lines. Why Jetting Alone Won't Fix It High-pressure jetting clears the root mass from inside the pipe and restores flow immediately. But it doesn't close the crack or joint separation that allowed roots to enter in the first place. Within weeks to months, roots regrow through the same entry point. If your drain keeps blocking in the same spot despite being jetted, you have a structural problem — not just a blockage. The Permanent Solution — Pipe Relining CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) relining seals the joints and cracks that roots exploit. Once a resin liner is cured inside the pipe, those entry points no longer exist — the liner creates a seamless, root-resistant internal surface. We CCTV inspect first to confirm root intrusion, jet to clear, then reline the affected section. No excavation, no surface damage, 35-year warranty. High-Risk Suburbs in Melbourne's South-East Suburbs with the highest rate of tree root drain problems include Caulfield, Oakleigh, Murrumbeena, Carnegie, Bentleigh, Brighton, Malvern East, and Glen Iris. If you live in an older home in any of these areas and have established trees nearby, your sewer line is at elevated risk. Call ATC Plumbing on 1300 282 758 — we carry CCTV cameras on every van. Related reading: stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · the complete guide to blocked drains

Blocked Drain vs Blocked Sewer — The Key Difference A blocked drain is a localised blockage in a single fixture pipe — the kitchen sink, shower, or toilet. A blocked sewer means the main drain line serving the whole property is blocked — because all drains eventually flow into one main sewer line that connects to the street. Telling them apart is straightforward, and it matters because the cause, the fix, and the cost are all different. How to Tell Which One You Have Blocked drain: only one fixture is affected. The kitchen sink is slow but the toilet flushes normally. Or the shower backs up but everything else is fine. Blocked sewer: multiple fixtures are affected at the same time. When you flush the toilet, water backs up into the shower. When the washing machine drains, the laundry floor drain overflows. Multiple slow drains throughout the house simultaneously always suggests a main sewer blockage. What Causes a Blocked Sewer Line? Tree root intrusion into the main sewer line is the most common cause in Melbourne's older suburbs — exactly the same problem that blocks individual drain lines, but in the larger main sewer pipe. A structural collapse or joint failure in the main sewer is another cause. Accumulation of fat, grease, and non-flushable items (wipes, sanitary products) can also build to a critical mass in main lines over time. Who Is Responsible for What? The sewer pipe on your property — from the house connection to the boundary — is your responsibility to maintain and repair. The pipe in the street is managed by your local water authority (in Melbourne's south-east, usually South East Water or Yarra Valley Water). If the blockage is past your property boundary, contact your water authority. If it's on your property, call a licensed plumber. Same-Day Blocked Drain and Sewer Service If you're unsure whether you have a blocked drain or a blocked sewer, call ATC Plumbing on 1300 282 758. We'll assess and advise before committing to any work. Same-day service across Melbourne's south-east. Related reading: stormwater drainage problems in Melbourne · the complete guide to blocked drains

Water damage from a plumbing leak is one of those problems where the first hour decides how much it ends up costing you. Stop the water, make the area safe, and photograph everything before you start cleaning up, because that early record is what your insurer will lean on later. Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South attends water-damage emergencies across Melbourne's south-east and Bayside, and the pattern is almost always the same: the people who come out of it well are the ones who acted fast, documented the damage, and got the real source found and fixed rather than just mopped up. What to do first when you have water damage from a plumbing leak When you find water damage from a plumbing leak, work through these steps in order. The aim is simple: stop the water, keep everyone safe, and protect your insurance position before you touch anything. Stop the water. If you can see an isolation tap under the sink, behind the toilet or near the appliance, turn it off. If you cannot, shut off the whole-house supply at the water meter. Not sure where it is or how? Our guide on how to turn off your water meter walks you through it. Keep clear of water near electricity. If water is near power points, light fittings, downlights or the switchboard, do not touch it. Switch the power off at the board only if the board itself is dry and safe to reach, otherwise leave it and wait for help. Water and electricity together are the one part of this you never gamble on. Photograph and film everything before you clean up. Take wide shots and close-ups of the damage, the water, and anything you think is the source. Keep any failed part, like a split flexible hose. This is your evidence, and you cannot recreate it once it is mopped away. Move what you can. Lift furniture, electronics and valuables clear of the water, and get rugs, documents and anything absorbent off wet floors. Then start drying out. Soak up standing water and get air moving to limit mould, but only after you have recorded the damage. Call a licensed plumber. You want the source found and stopped properly, and a written report on the cause that you can hand to your insurer. Water and electricity: when a leak becomes a safety risk Not every leak is dangerous, but some are, and it is worth knowing the difference. A leak that reaches electrical wiring, a switchboard, power points or ceiling downlights can turn a wet floor into a live one. If you see water around any of those, stay out of the area, do not flick switches in the wet zone, and if there is any doubt at all, leave the property and call for help. Because ATC holds a Restricted Electrical licence (ESV D17236) alongside its plumbing and gas qualifications, our team understands exactly where the water-and-electrical line sits and how to make a flooded area safe before working in it. Why a leaking ceiling isn't always where the leak is Here is the trap with concealed leaks: water runs along joists, pipes and the back of plasterboard, so the wet patch on your ceiling or the stain on a wall is often metres away from the actual leak. Cutting in where the damage shows usually means opening up the wrong spot, then the next, and the next. The better way is to find the true source first, without demolition. We use acoustic leak detection with a Sewerin A200, which pinpoints a hidden leak to within 0.3 to 0.5 metres and can trace pipes at depths of 5 to 6 metres, along with thermal imaging and CCTV drain cameras where the problem is in the drains. That is the heart of how we work: a fast arrival to stop the damage, accurate diagnosis to find the real source, and a permanent fix so the same leak does not come back. If your home is older or has a mix of pipe materials, our guides on water leak detection in older Melbourne homes and slab and concealed hot water leaks explain what is involved. How do I document a plumbing leak for an insurance claim? Most Australian home insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, often described in your policy as an escape of liquid, such as a burst pipe or a hidden leak you could not reasonably have known about. What they usually will not pay for is repairing the worn pipe or fitting itself, and they generally exclude gradual leaks, wear and tear, or a slow leak you could have spotted and ignored. In practice, your claim often comes down to showing the damage was sudden and accidental, so a few simple things make a real difference: Document before you clean up. Photos and video of the damage, plus any failed part, exactly as described above. Get a written report from a licensed plumber. A clear report stating the cause, the location and that the damage was sudden rather than gradual is often what tips a claim from declined to accepted. It is the same kind of documentation we prepare for property managers and bodies corporate, explained in our guide to plumbing compliance certificates and reports. Describe the leak accurately. The words you use with your insurer matter, so be precise about what happened and when you noticed it. Ask about trace and access cover. Many policies pay the reasonable cost of locating a hidden leak, for example opening a wall, when the claim is accepted, so it is worth asking. Read your PDS. Your Product Disclosure Statement spells out what is covered and what is excluded for your specific policy. One honest caveat: ATC is a plumbing company, not an insurer or financial adviser, and every policy is different, so confirm the detail with your own insurer. If a claim is knocked back and you do not think that is fair, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) offers a free, independent way to dispute it. Repairing the damage and stopping it happening again Putting things right after water damage from a plumbing leak is really two jobs. The first is the plumbing: fixing the cause permanently, whether that means replacing the failed section or relining a pipe where that is the better long-term answer, so you are not back in the same spot in six months. The second is the building make-good, which is the drying, replastering, repainting and flooring, and that is often where your insurer and a restorer come in. We fix the plumbing cause, provide the documentation for your claim, and can coordinate with builders or restorers so the work is sequenced sensibly, because there is no sense repainting a ceiling before the leak above it is sorted. You will get a fixed-price quote before any work starts, so there are no surprises on top of the stress, and our pricing approach is set out in full in our guide to transparent plumbing prices in Melbourne. ATC is fully licensed and insured, carries 20 million dollars in public liability cover, and backs its workmanship with a 6-year guarantee. Frequently asked questions about water damage from a plumbing leak: Does home insurance cover water damage from a plumbing leak? Most Australian home policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, an escape of liquid such as a burst pipe or a hidden leak you could not reasonably have noticed. They generally do not cover gradual leaks, wear and tear, or the cost of repairing the faulty pipe itself, and coverage varies between policies, so always check your PDS. Should I clean up the water before taking photos? No. Stop the water at the fixture or the meter for safety, but photograph and film the damage before you mop up or remove anything, because those images are key evidence for your claim. Once it is recorded, dry the area to limit mould. Who do I call first, a plumber or my insurer? Make the area safe and stop the water, then call a licensed plumber to find and stop the source and give you a written report on the cause. With that report in hand you can lodge a clear, well-supported claim with your insurer. Can a plumber find a leak behind a wall or ceiling without demolishing it? Yes. Acoustic leak detection, thermal imaging and CCTV drain cameras can pinpoint a concealed leak to within centimetres, so only the right spot is opened up instead of guessing and cutting into several areas. Is a leaking ceiling a plumbing emergency? Treat it as urgent. Water pooling above plasterboard can bring a ceiling down and is dangerous near light fittings and wiring. Turn off the water, keep clear of the area, and call a 24/7 plumber to make it safe and find the source. Updated June 2026 Written/reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Association.

Published May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. If you've had a plumber attend a problem, paid for the job, and found yourself calling again within weeks because the same issue returned — you've experienced the difference between a plumber who clears a problem and one who fixes it. That difference comes down to diagnosis. This post explains what diagnostic-led plumbing actually involves and why it matters for recurring problems that other plumbers couldn't resolve. The Difference Between Clearing a Problem and Fixing It Clearing a blocked drain removes the material causing the obstruction. Fixing a blocked drain identifies why the obstruction formed at that point and addresses the underlying condition so it doesn't reform. Both involve the same initial action — jetting or snaking the drain — but only one involves the follow-up: the CCTV camera inspection that shows whether a root entry point, a pipe crack, or a structural problem is the actual cause. The same principle applies across plumbing. A leak that gets patched without identifying where the water came from may have caused damage inside a wall cavity. A hot water system that's reset without understanding why it tripped will trip again. An intermittent pressure problem that's dismissed without investigation is a symptom of something that will eventually fail completely. Diagnostic-led plumbing doesn't skip straight to the fix — it establishes the cause first, with equipment, not guesswork. Real Example: Oakleigh Recurring Sewer — Three Plumbers Hadn't Found It In February 2026 we attended a home in Oakleigh where the owner had called three different plumbers over 18 months for a repeatedly backing-up sewer. Each visit had resulted in the drain being cleared and the plumber leaving. Nobody had put a camera through the pipe. When we did, we found a 40mm section of completely collapsed pipe approximately 4.5 metres from the access point — invisible to jetting, invisible to a visual check at the access point, but accumulating waste on every flush. We relined that section in a single visit. The drain has not failed since. This is not an unusual story. The pattern — multiple plumbers, repeat clears, no camera — is the most common scenario we encounter on jobs that come to us as a last resort. The fix, once the cause is found, is usually straightforward. The challenge is that no one looked for it. The Diagnostic Tools That Find What Others Miss Ridgid CCTV drain camera — feeds through the pipe and records real-time footage of the pipe wall, joints, root masses, fractures and collapsed sections. The only reliable way to find a structural drain problem without digging. Sewerin Aquaphon A200 acoustic leak detector — a ground-contact microphone that locates the sound signature of pressurised water escaping through a pipe, even beneath a concrete slab. Used for concealed leaks that produce no visible surface sign. Thermal imaging camera — detects heat differentials that indicate hot water leaks beneath slabs or within wall cavities, before any concrete or wall lining is opened. Combustion gas analyser — measures CO levels in the heated air stream from a gas heater, detecting heat exchanger leakage that is invisible to a visual inspection. These tools are the reason we can give a definitive answer rather than an educated guess. Fast arrival → accurate diagnosis → permanent fix: the sequence only works if the diagnosis step is genuine — equipment-based, not assumption-based. What to Look For When Choosing a Plumber for a Recurring Problem Do they carry a CCTV drain camera on the van, or does it need to be booked separately as a second visit? Do they explain what they found after clearing a drain, or just say 'all clear' and leave? Will they provide a written report of what was found and what was done — not just a tax invoice? Can they give you a fixed-price quote before starting work, or is it time-and-materials with no upfront figure? Common Questions: My drain has been cleared three times in a year — what should I do? Insist on a CCTV camera inspection before the next clear. If no one has put a camera through the pipe, no one actually knows what's causing the recurring blockage. The camera inspection will either confirm the pipe is structurally sound (and the blockage cause is behavioural) or identify the structural problem that needs a permanent fix. I have a leak that no one can find — what's the next step? An acoustic leak detector and thermal imaging camera can locate a concealed leak — in a slab, under a path, or within a wall cavity — without opening anything. If your water bill is rising with no visible leak, or you can see damp but not the source, this is the right next step. Is a second opinion worth getting on a plumbing problem? Absolutely — particularly if the first plumber couldn't explain what caused the problem, or if the recommended fix is expensive and no camera footage or written diagnosis was provided. A genuine diagnosis should be documentable: camera footage, a written report, specific findings. If you don't have that, you don't have a diagnosis. Do you provide written reports after jobs? Yes — for every job involving a diagnosis (CCTV, acoustic detection, gas heater integrity test), we provide a written report of findings and recommendations. This is useful for insurance claims, property sales, VCAT proceedings, and body corporate documentation. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: choosing a trustworthy emergency plumber

Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. A fair plumbing quote is one you can understand and rely on before any work begins: a clear written scope of what will be done, a price that is fixed rather than open-ended wherever the job allows, and full transparency about call-out fees, after-hours rates, parts and GST. Across Melbourne's south-east, transparent pricing isn't about being the cheapest plumber, it's about no surprises on the final invoice. Here is how plumbing pricing actually works, how to read a quote, and the red flags that mean you should ask a few more questions before you agree. What does a fair plumbing quote actually look like? A fair plumbing quote sets out the scope of work in plain language, states a price you can rely on, and makes clear what is and isn't included. It should itemise the parts of the job you're paying for, disclose any call-out fee and after-hours loading, include GST, and note any warranty on the workmanship. Crucially, it should tell you whether you're being given a fixed price or an open-ended estimate, because those are not the same thing. What's the difference between a quote and an estimate? This catches a lot of people out. A quote is a fixed, binding price for a defined piece of work: agree to it, and that's what you pay. An estimate is an educated guess that can change once the plumber gets into the job. Both are legitimate, but you're entitled to know which one you're being given, in writing, before work starts. Around The Clock Plumbing provides a fixed-price quote for defined work, so the figure you approve is the figure you pay. Fixed price or hourly: which is fairer? Neither model is automatically fairer, but they protect you in different ways. A fixed price gives you certainty: you approve the total before any work happens, and the risk of the job running long sits with the plumber, not you. Charging by the hour, or time-and-materials, means you pay for the actual time plus parts, which can suit jobs of genuinely unknown complexity but leaves the final cost open-ended. The key is that a fair plumber explains which model applies and why. An honest fixed price only works when it follows a proper look at the problem. The sequence that protects you is simple: fast arrival, accurate diagnosis, then a permanent fix at a price agreed up front. A plumber who quotes a large job without first diagnosing it, or who can only say "we'll see when we get there" with no framework at all, is asking you to sign a blank cheque. How should call-out fees and after-hours rates be explained? A call-out fee covers the plumber's travel and the initial attendance and assessment, and is usually charged whether or not work goes ahead. After-hours, weekend and public-holiday rates are typically higher because someone has to be on call, and that's reasonable. What matters is disclosure: the call-out fee and any loading should be told to you in writing before you book, not revealed on the invoice. Be a little cautious with "free call-out" or "zero call-out" offers, too. The attendance cost doesn't disappear, it usually reappears inside the labour rate or the parts markup. A transparent plumber is happy to show you how the price is built. You can see how Around The Clock Plumbing structures its rates in the Melbourne plumbing pricing guide. How do I read a plumbing quote or invoice? A clear quote or invoice should let you see exactly what you're paying for. Look for: Scope of work — a plain description of what will be done, not just a single lump sum. Labour basis — whether it's a fixed price or an hourly rate, and any minimum charge that applies. Parts and materials — a reasonable markup on parts is standard industry practice; an unexplained figure far above retail is worth questioning. Call-out fee — listed separately and disclosed before the booking. After-hours loading — shown clearly if the work was outside business hours. GST — included and identified. Compliance certificate — for the categories of plumbing and gas work in Victoria that legally require one, it should be accounted for. Warranty — what guarantee covers the workmanship after the job is done. What are the red flags of unfair plumbing pricing? If you see any of the following, slow down and ask more questions: No written quote, and only "I'll see what I find" with no price framework at all. Both a call-out fee and a separate first-hour fee that weren't disclosed when you booked. Parts billed well above their normal retail price with no explanation. Pressure to approve a large, expensive job before anyone has actually diagnosed the cause. Cash-only with no invoice, or no ABN and licence details when you ask. Vague verbal numbers that quietly creep upward once the work is underway. Why an honest quote starts with a proper diagnosis You can't fairly price a job you haven't properly looked at. For a recurring blockage or a hidden leak, that means using a CCTV drain camera or acoustic leak detection to find the real cause first, then quoting the actual work, rather than guessing high to be safe. That's the heart of diagnostic-led plumbing: diagnose, then fix the cause once. It's also why choosing carefully matters in the first place, which we cover in how to choose a trustworthy emergency plumber. Common questions about plumbing quotes and pricing: Is a plumbing quote legally binding? A quote is a fixed, binding price for the work described, while an estimate is a non-binding guess that can change. You're entitled to know which one you're being given, in writing, before the work begins. Should a plumber charge a call-out fee? A call-out fee is legitimate and covers travel and the initial attendance, but it should always be disclosed up front. A fair plumber tells you about it before you book, not when the invoice arrives. Why do after-hours plumbing rates cost more? After-hours, weekend and public-holiday rates are higher because a plumber has to be on call to attend urgently. That's reasonable, provided the loading is explained to you in writing before the work goes ahead. Should I always choose the cheapest quote? Not necessarily. The cheapest quote can leave out costs that reappear later, or skip the diagnosis that prevents a repeat problem. Compare the scope, what's included, the warranty and whether the price is fixed, not just the headline number. Do I get a compliance certificate, and is it included? Certain categories of plumbing and gas work in Victoria legally require a compliance certificate, and a fair quote should account for it. If you're unsure whether your job needs one, ask, and check that your plumber is licensed to issue it. You can verify Around The Clock Plumbing's licences and accreditations here. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin, founder of Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Association. Related reading: pre-purchase plumbing inspections · what to expect during an emergency call-out

Updated May 2026 — Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. A slab leak or concealed hot water leak is one of the most damaging — and most commonly missed — plumbing failures in Melbourne homes. Water escaping inside a concrete slab or within a wall cavity can run undetected for months, lifting tiles, rotting framing, driving up water bills and causing mould before a single visible wet patch appears. This guide covers the warning signs and explains how acoustic leak detection pinpoints the source without unnecessary excavation. Warning Signs of a Slab Leak or Concealed Hot Water Leak Slab leaks are difficult to detect precisely because the leak is inside concrete — hidden from direct view. The signs are indirect, and easy to dismiss as other problems: Unexplained spike in your water bill — with no visible leak, dripping tap or running toilet to account for it. Warm or hot spots on the floor — particularly on tiles or polished concrete, often the first sign of a hot water slab leak. Tiles lifting or cracking with no obvious cause — water pressure from below breaks adhesion. Damp or mouldy smell — particularly in rooms without obvious moisture sources, or along a wall cavity. Water meter moving when every tap is off — a definitive sign of an active leak somewhere in the system. Hot water slab leaks are particularly common in Melbourne homes where copper hot water lines were laid in or under the slab during construction. As copper ages and the concrete moves with seasonal temperature changes, pinhole leaks develop at stress points. Because the water is under pressure and hot, it spreads further and faster than a cold-water leak before it's detected. How Acoustic Leak Detection Finds a Slab Leak Without Breaking Concrete Acoustic leak detection uses a highly sensitive ground-contact microphone to listen for the sound signature of pressurised water escaping a pipe — even through a concrete slab. We use the Sewerin Aquaphon A200, a professional-grade instrument that filters background noise and isolates the specific acoustic frequency of a leak. The technician walks a systematic grid across the slab surface, listening at each point until the signal peaks — indicating the leak's location directly below. The result is a precise location — typically within 200–300mm — which means any excavation needed is targeted and minimal. This is a fundamentally different outcome from the old approach of breaking up a large section of slab, hoping to find the leak, then restoring the whole area. Thermal Imaging as a Second Layer of Confirmation For hot water slab leaks, thermal imaging provides a second, non-invasive confirmation. A thermal camera shows the temperature differential between the warm wet area spreading from the leak point and the surrounding cooler slab — often making the leak's position visible as a distinctive heat plume on the camera image before any concrete is touched. We use thermal imaging in combination with acoustic detection on concealed hot water leak investigations. A Real Example: Acoustic Detection at an Oakleigh Commercial Site In September 2025 we were called to a commercial property in Oakleigh where the owner had reported a rising water bill with no visible source. Using the Sewerin A200, we located a pressurised leak in a cold-water main running beneath the concrete floor — in a position that would have required significant slab removal to find by inspection alone. The targeted repair took half a day. Fast arrival → accurate diagnosis → permanent fix, with minimal disruption to the site. What Happens After the Leak Is Found? Once the leak is located, your options depend on the pipe type, depth and condition. For an isolated pinhole in otherwise sound copper, targeted repair with minimal excavation is usually the right call. For aged copper that's already failed at one point and is likely to fail at others, rerouting the hot water line above the slab — rather than repairing in-slab — is often the better long-term decision. We'll give you an honest assessment of both options and their respective costs before any work begins, with a fixed-price quote. Common Questions About Slab Leaks and Concealed Leak Detection How do I know if I have a slab leak? The most reliable early indicator is an unexplained rise in your water bill. Combine this with any warm floor spots, lifting tiles or damp smells, and a slab leak is the likely cause. Turning off all taps and checking whether your water meter is still moving is a useful first test. Does detecting a slab leak require breaking the concrete? Detection does not require breaking concrete. Acoustic detection and thermal imaging locate the leak from the surface. Concrete is only opened at the confirmed location — and only for the repair, not the investigation. What is the Sewerin A200? The Sewerin Aquaphon A200 is a professional acoustic leak detection instrument used by water utilities and specialist leak detection plumbers. It uses a ground-contact microphone to pick up the sound of escaping pressurised water through solid surfaces, including concrete slabs, asphalt and compacted ground. Can a concealed leak affect a building's structure? Yes. Long-running concealed leaks can saturate the ground beneath a slab, cause subsidence, rot timber framing within wall cavities, promote significant mould growth and — in heritage brick buildings — progressively damage mortar. Early detection prevents structural damage that is far more expensive than the leak repair itself. Written and reviewed by Christopher Unwin — founder, Around The Clock Plumbing Pty Ltd, Oakleigh South. BPC Licence #50694, Type A gas, 22 years' experience. National Council member, Master Plumbers Australia & New Zealand. Related reading: water leak detection in older homes · plumbing in heritage and older homes