If you’ve recently received a text message from Yarra Valley Water saying they may have detected a leak at your property, you’re certainly not alone.
Over the past few months, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in customers calling us after receiving these alerts. In many cases, they had no idea there was a problem until the message came through.
So what’s changed?
Yarra Valley Water is progressively replacing older water meters with new digital meters across Melbourne’s north-east.
These new meters automatically monitor your water usage and can identify when water appears to be running continuously for an extended period. If that happens, you may receive a notification suggesting you have a possible leak.
It’s a great piece of technology and, from what we’ve seen, it’s already helping homeowners detect plumbing issues much earlier than they used to.
Does it always mean you have a burst pipe?
Not necessarily.
The alert simply means your property has been using water continuously when it normally shouldn’t.
Some of the more common causes we find include:
- Underground burst water pipes
- Leaking toilet cisterns
- Irrigation leaks
- Faulty pressure relief valves on hot water services
- Hidden leaks under driveways, gardens or concrete slabs
- Taps or fixtures that haven’t shut off properly
Sometimes it’s something very minor. Other times it can be a water service that’s been leaking underground for weeks without anyone noticing.
Why it’s worth getting checked
Even a relatively small leak can waste thousands of litres of water over time.
Aside from the obvious increase in your water bill, hidden leaks can also cause damage to gardens, paving, driveways and even building foundations if left for too long.
The good news is that these new meters are helping identify problems before they become much bigger (and more expensive).
What should you do if you receive an alert?
Before calling a plumber, it’s worth checking:
- Are any taps running?
- Is your irrigation system operating?
- Can you hear a toilet constantly filling?
- Is your hot water service discharging water?
If everything appears normal but you’ve still received the notification, it’s a good idea to have the property investigated.
How we can help
At WL Chivers Plumbing, we specialise in locating and repairing hidden water leaks across Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs.
Whether it’s an underground burst water service, a leaking valve or a concealed pipe, we have the equipment and experience to find the problem quickly and recommend the best repair.
If you’ve received a leak notification from Yarra Valley Water and aren’t sure what to do next, give our team a call. We’d much rather find a small leak today than help clean up a major burst tomorrow.
Jordan Chivers – Director, W.L. Chivers Plumbing
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