A rapidly spinning water meter is every homeowner’s nightmare, especially when paired with an unexpectedly high Icon Water bill. In this Gordon property, our plumber Tuggeranong team was called to track down a hidden leak that had been silently absorbing thousands of litres underground. Liam arrived first thing, located the buried leak quickly, carried out a compliant repair, and provided the documentation needed for the customer to claim a leak allowance.
The result? Another well-earned 5-star review:
“Liam and the team showed up first thing today to help us locate a leak on the property. They quickly identified the leaking issues and fixed the water mains. They even provided a letter of their analysis for us to go back to icon water and deal with a very large water bill. Honest service and reliable plumbers! Will be using them again!!”
Problem: Water Leak at a Gordon Home
The customer reported an unknown water leak, with the water meter running continuously despite no fixtures in use. This is a classic warning sign of a concealed mains leak, the kind that can go unnoticed for weeks because the water escapes underground rather than surfacing.
According to the job notes, this was our first time attending the property, and the customer had already received a very high water bill from Icon Water. With no visible signs of water inside the home and no damp patches on external walls, the suspicion immediately shifted to the front garden, where garden beds, dense shrubs, and tree roots often conceal pipe failures.
Hidden leaks like this can cause significant excess water usage, increased pressure strain on the main, soil erosion, and rapidly escalating costs. With the meter ticking over continuously, the urgency was clear. Left unresolved, the customer would continue paying for thousands of litres of lost water, and the leak could worsen into a major rupture.
They needed a reliable, honest plumber Canberra, and Liam delivered exactly that.
Assessment
Liam started with a water meter isolation test, a standard part of our leak detection Canberra service. With all internal fixtures turned off, the meter continued to move, confirming an underground leak between the meter and the house.
From there, Liam traced the main through the front garden, where he soon detected water pooling beneath shrubs near the driveway. This matched the field notes and the photographs supplied.
To confirm, he cut back obstructing branches and excavated carefully until the source was exposed: a burst in the 25mm Blueline PE pipe, crushed by a thick tree root that had grown directly across it.
Once uncovered, the water flow, bubbling soil and exposed damage made the failure point clear. A complete and compliant repair could begin immediately.
What We Did
Liam and the team carried out a thorough repair to Water Tight Canberra’s high technical standards.
1. Leak Location
The exact failure point was identified under dense shrubs, where a tree root had crushed the Blueline pipe.
2. Excavation & Clearing
Bushes and branches were removed to safely access the line. The soil was carefully excavated to avoid causing further damage.
3. Removal of Damaged Pipe
The ruptured section was cut away, trimmed square and prepared for new couplings.
4. Install New Pipework
A new length of PE100 25mm mains pipe was installed using Plasson 25mm couplers and other WaterMark-approved fittings sourced from Reece.
5. Pressure Testing
A calibrated gauge was connected to verify the stability of the repaired line. The pipe held pressure perfectly with no leaks.
6. Documentation for Icon Water
Liam completed an Excess Water Usage Leak Allowance Letter, summarising the cause, location, and repair details, along with photos for evidence.
7. System Restoration
Water supply was reinstated, and the meter returned to normal operation immediately.
The customer praised the honesty, speed and professionalism of the service, exactly the standard we uphold across Canberra.
Materials & Standards
All materials used were compliant with ACT plumbing regulations and WaterMark-certified. This included:
- PE100 25mm blue-stripe mains pipe
- Plasson 25mm pushfit couplers
- Auspex fittings where required
These products meet AS/NZS 4129 and AS/NZS 4130, ensuring long-term durability underground. The work was fully documented, enabling the customer to lodge their Icon Water leak allowance claim.
Results
The repair delivered immediate and measurable improvements:
Before:
- Water meter is spinning continuously
- High Icon Water bill
- Water absorption under garden beds
- Burst 25mm Blueline pipe
- Hidden leak is wasting large volumes of water
After:
- Leak repaired and tree root removed
- Pressure test passed
- Water meter stopped running
- Official documentation issued for Icon Water
- Property left clean and safe
The customer summarised the experience perfectly in their 5-star review:
“Honest service and reliable plumbers! Will be using them again!!”
Tips
To avoid similar issues:
- Check your water meter weekly during quiet times.
- Avoid planting large shrubs or trees over mains lines.
- Monitor garden beds after rain; unusual wetness may indicate a leak.
- Have your water pressure checked annually.
- Book a professional inspection if your meter moves when no fixtures are running.
Location Notes – Gordon ACT
Gordon and the wider Tuggeranong region contain many established homes where original polyethylene mains are now nearing their end of life. Tree roots and soil movement are common causes of ruptures, particularly in sloped gardens.
Contact our plumber Tuggeranong team today on (02) 6195 9991 for plumbing, hot water replacement Canberra, gasfitting and blocked drain Canberra services.
Gallery
“Liam and the team… fixed the water mains. Honest service and reliable plumbers!”
