This case study covers an underground leak in Thornlands that showed up as a water meter ticking over with every tap off.
Location: Thornlands, Redlands Coast
Service: Leak detection and repair
Date: September 2026
Turnaround: Over two days
The problem
The homeowner noticed their water meter slowly ticking over even with every tap off, and water was pooling on the neighbour’s lower property. Both are classic signs of an underground leak.
Finding the leak
Our plumber isolated the water, disconnected the meter and pressure tested the service to confirm the leak, then traced the water line to narrow down where it was. The pipe ran under a tiled concrete path.
What we did
- Cut and removed a section of the tiled concrete path
- Excavated about 700mm down and opened up the area until the pipe was found
- Cut out the leaking section of copper pipe and repaired it
- Tested the repair, backfilled and tidied the site
The result
The leak was stopped and the meter no longer ticks over when the taps are off. The homeowner also had the paperwork they needed for their insurance claim.
Signs of an underground leak in Thornlands homes
Hidden leaks usually show up as a higher water bill, a meter that moves when nothing is running, or soggy patches in the yard. For example, water pooling on a neighbour’s lower block is a common clue on sloping sites. Because the leak is out of sight, it can run for months before anyone notices.
First, check your meter with all taps off. If it still moves, call us for leak detection. Redland City Council supplies water in Thornlands, and the QBCC sets the licensing rules for plumbers who do this work.
Need a plumber? We’re available 24/7. Call The Plumbing Gang on 1300 671 525.