A concealed leak shows up as damp, a musty smell or lifting tiles, usually some distance from the pipe that is actually failing.
The point of detection is to open one small area instead of three wrong ones. Broader scope sits under Leak Detection Johannesburg.
Photos of the damp patch and its position in the house are enough to start.
Get a Hidden Leak QuoteSigns Worth Acting On
- A patch of skirting or wall that stays damp through dry weather.
- Tiles lifting, drumming underfoot, or grout discolouring in a line.
- Warm spots on a floor, which point at the hot water line rather than the cold.
- Mould returning in the same corner after every repaint.
- A meter that creeps with everything closed.
Method by Location
| Where the leak is | Usual method |
|---|---|
| In a slab | Acoustic ground microphone, backed by thermal imaging on hot lines. |
| Behind a tiled wall | Thermal camera and moisture meter, then pressure test to confirm. |
| Under a timber floor | Moisture mapping and borescope through an existing gap. |
| In the ceiling | Thermal imaging from below, and an inspection of the roof space. |
Hidden Leak Detection Prices in Johannesburg
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Concealed leak detection | R1,450 – R3,000 | Call-out plus first hour. |
| Thermal imaging survey | R1,200 – R2,800 | Whole-house scan with images. |
| Moisture mapping and report | R900 – R2,200 | Common on insurance jobs. |
| Additional site hours | R400 – R900 per hour | Multiple suspected points. |
| Opening up a wall or floor | R750 – R2,400 | Tiles and stone cost more than plaster. |
| Repair behind a wall or under tiles | R1,750 – R2,500 | Excludes tiling and making good. |
| Retiling and making good | R450 – R1,200 per m² | Matching discontinued tiles adds cost. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African leak detection and plumbing pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Water travels along the underside of a slab and appears at the lowest point. The damp patch is evidence, not an address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a leak be found behind tiles without breaking them?
Yes. Thermal imaging and moisture meters read through tile and plaster, and a pressure test confirms which line is failing before anything is opened.
Why does the damp keep coming back after repainting?
Because the paint covers the symptom rather than the source. Until the pipe or the water entry point is fixed, the patch will return in the same place.
Is a hidden leak covered by household insurance?
Sudden failures usually are; gradual deterioration usually is not. Insurers often ask for a dated detection report identifying the cause before they will consider a claim.
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