A hidden threat causes shockwaves in an Aussie homeowner’s $9000 mansion

An unwary homeowner has been hit with a staggering $9000 bill as a hidden threat to his property is out of control – with thousands of Aussies also at risk.

Unitywater said the homeowner had a hidden leak under their concrete driveway, and there were no signs that anything was wrong.

By the time it was discovered, plumbing repairs had cost $1300 and the water and sewer bill had risen from an average of $250 to nearly $9000 per quarter.

MORE: Brisbane houses jump $135,900 a year

Shocking revised prices for 144-unit tower as construction costs bite

Underneath this building in the Mooloolaba unit complex a hidden leak was costing thousands. Source: UnityWater

---

More than 4500 homes were flagged last year for unusually high water consumption – spikes believed to be a warning sign of hidden leaks in private properties “which it is the landlord’s responsibility to investigate and fix”.

In one of UnityWater’s worst cases, the Queensland company faced a $20,000 water bill after a leak hidden under one floor affected 98 meter units. The repairs cost $2800, and the quarter bill went from about $300 to $20,000.

A Mooloolaba homeowner narrowly avoided a financial blowout after a pipe burst under a garden bed connected to a backyard spa.

Because the spa was set to fill automatically, the water flowed unchecked underground, driving the use to the surface. If the leak had continued undetected, the quarterly bill could have exceeded $4000.

MORE: At home at the heart of Lachie Neale’s drama

Posh basement melts thanks to lonely Aussie pensioner’s dog plea

Unitywater contractors are installing a digital meter at a Sunshine Coast residence. Source: UnityWater

---

Meanwhile, a Maroochydore resident who went on holiday didn’t realize his downstairs toilet was stuck in the washing machine and was in for a nasty shock when he returned.

The digital water meter found regular use, allowing Unitywater to alert the homeowner in time and prevent more than $1600 – or about $54 a day – from being added to the next bill.

Unitywater senior manager of customer experience Katherine Gee said hidden leaks are often invisible, silent and expensive.

“Leaks under roads, walls or underneath can cause damage to property and waste thousands of liters of water each day, which eventually shows up in your water bill,” he said.

Ms Gee urged homeowners to look out for warning signs such as wet or warped walls or ceilings, squishy garden patches, unusually green or fast-growing patches of grass, or pond levels dropping faster than expected.

A resident writes numbers on a water meter to check for hidden leaks. Source: UnityWater

---

He said a simple check – turning off all taps and appliances (making sure that won’t damage any appliances first), recording the water meter numbers, avoiding water use for an hour and re-checking the meter – can quickly reveal if water is leaking from somewhere that is not visible.

Any unexpected movement in the meter reading should immediately call a licensed plumber, the association said.

Customers who repair hidden leaks may be eligible for a one-time hidden leak grant to help offset some of the excess water costs.

“If there is wet soil in your pipes and your meter is not moving, a leak can occur in our infrastructure,” said Unitywater. “If you have a wet area around your meter and your meter moves, the water is drawn through the meter and the leak is on your side of the meter.”

.

How to check for insidious leaks at home:

1. Turn off all faucets and appliances that use water.

2. Record your water meter numbers (take a photo or write it down).

3. Do not use any water for one hour (not even the toilet).

4. Check the meter – if the numbers have changed, you may have a leak.

5. Call a licensed plumber to investigate.

(Source: UnityWater)

Expert tips for common problem areas:

Private house

Toilet drain leaks are common and can be easily checked by following these steps:

– Pour a few drops of food coloring into the toilet bowl (just enough to slightly color the water).

– Do not call – wait. If the color comes from the toilet bowl, you have a leak.

– Clean immediately after testing to remove food coloring. It does not pollute ceramic toilet bowls.

– Expert tip: Don’t have food coloring? Try placing a sheet of dry toilet paper behind the toilet bowl, above the water line. It should stay dry unless there is water dripping down the back of the bowl, indicating a leaking toilet.

The pool

– Pools use a lot of water, so even small leaks are worth paying attention to. Before you start using the pool this spring, grab a bucket and check for leaks.

– Fill a bucket with pool water and place it on a step in your pool (so that the water in the bucket and the pool are equal).

– Mark the water level in the bucket and in the pool.

– Wait 24 hours without using the pool.

– Come back and check the levels. If the pool water falls above the water in the bucket, you may have a leak. If they go down by the same amount, it’s just evaporation.

– Pro tip: For a more accurate result, perform this test with the pool pump turned off.

The garden

– If you have access to a faucet or hose, check to see if the faucet or fittings are leaking. If they leak, tighten or replace the fittings. A slow drip can waste thousands of gallons over time, and you may notice this on your next bill.

– You can also check any irrigation system, making sure that all caps and jets are open and there are no leaks in the system.

– Check that the water tanks are not automatically filled with city water, check for faulty solenoids/internal components if connected to city water.

– Pro tip: To save even more water (and money) invest in a trigger nozzle for your hose. They use less water and generally do the same job.

(Source: UnityWater)

MORE LOCAL NEWS