Water leaks come in all shapes and sizes. Some make a grand entrance, like when a water pipe suddenly and spectacularly bursts under the kitchen sink. Others are the slow, steady type – such as a leaky toilet cistern or hot water system.
Regardless of the type, water leaks can cause significant damage, which might be covered by your home insurance. But once you discover a leak, your priority will likely be figuring out how to stop the water as soon as possible.
The action you take may depend on the type of leak and what’s causing it, and you’ll probably have other questions too. For example, how do you detect a leak if you can’t see it? Does buildings insurance cover water damage? And what should you do if your home gets a leak while you’re renting?
The following information may help if you’re dealing with a water leak at your place.
What type of water leaks occur at home?
“There are a few common leakage issues,” says Andrew Clarke, Chief Executive Officer at Master Plumbers Association of South Australia.
“The mains water pipe from the meter may be fractured or leak due to a breakdown in material. Internal pipework may have failed for some reason, and internal fittings or fixtures may have worn. For example, tapware often gets old and tight through corrosion or a build-up of debris.”
Even if a water leak is low-key, Clarke advises not putting it in the ‘tackle that later’ basket. “Often, slow leaks never get fixed, (causing damage and) leading to higher costs in the end,” says Clarke.
“Additional damage could be happening with water leaks, especially under homes where foundations could sink, causing cracks in walls.”
Delaying taking action once you’re aware of a leak may impact the outcome of a buildings or contents insurance claim, so it might be a good idea to read the product disclosure statement for more details.1
So, what are some of the common water leaks you might encounter at home?
Emergency leaks
This could be that burst pipe in the kitchen, or it might be a serious leak caused by a storm, hail or a fallen tree branch damaging your roof. Finding a water leak like this may be particularly stressful.
When you’re dealing with a burst pipe or a major plumbing-related leak, the Queensland Government’s advice is to turn the water off at the mains2 – the water shut-off valve is typically located where your water meter is, usually at the front of the property.3 The advice also suggests that if the burst pipe falls on your home’s side of the water meter, it’s your responsibility.3
If a water leak occurs due to weather-related damage to your property,4 you can call the State Emergency Service on 132 500 for help.5
Concealed leaks
If you notice a damp, warped or discoloured spot on a wall, your floorboards or the carpet inside your home, this may be a sign that you have a concealed leak6 – for example, from a broken or cracked pipe within a wall.7
To check for a water leak like this, the Queensland Government’s Waterwise initiative recommends using your water meter for water leak detection, following these steps:3
- Turn off all your taps, including the ones that service your washing machine and dishwasher, at a time when you don’t need to run any water for the next hour.8
- Take a photo of or write down the numbers on your water meter.
- After one hour, check the water meter again. If the numbers have increased, you may have a leak.
- To rule out a leaky toilet, turn off the water valve behind each toilet in your home then repeat the above steps.
- If the numbers on the water meter stay the same, it may be a toilet that’s leaking. If the numbers have increased again, it suggests there’s a leak somewhere else on your property. Check your property for other visible leaks, including from an irrigation or hot water system,8 before contacting a licensed plumber to investigate further.3
Fittings-related leaks
While it might not damage your property, a dripping tap can waste more than a bucket of water a week, while a leaking toilet can waste up to 18 buckets of water a day.7
The Queensland Government recommends repairing any leaky taps and keeping all water fittings in good condition. If you suspect a leaky toilet, turn off the water valve behind your toilet and put a few drops of food colouring into the toilet cistern. If the colour begins to appear in the toilet bowl without flushing, this suggests the cistern’s rubbers need to be repaired. Make sure you flush the toilet a couple of times to prevent the food colouring staining your toilet.7
Outdoor leaks
As Clarke has flagged, leaks from your property’s underground mains pipes are quite common. Signs to look for include unexplained patches of damp brickwork, concrete or soil.6
The Queensland Government suggests checking your water meter frequently to detect these types of leaks.3
Clarke says keeping an eye on your water bill is smart too. “If there’s a noticeable cost increase in water usage, it’s worth contacting a reputable licensed plumber to get an inspection and identify the problem,” he says.
“No leak ever goes away naturally, which means it will get worse. It’s best to solve the problem quickly as it could end up costing you a major renovation.”
Will insurance cover any damage caused by a water leak?
In Australia, water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims, and most buildings and contents insurance policies cover damage caused by water leaks.9
“With a Youi Buildings and Contents policy, you have cover for damage to your property and your belongings caused by insured events,” explains Mervyn Hartley, Youi’s Head of Product for Home Insurance.
“This includes escaping water which could be, for example, if your kitchen plumbing suddenly bursts or if a concealed pipe in the laundry has been dripping slowly for some time, and you had no way of knowing about it until it started to cause visible damage.”
“It is always important though, to notify Youi about any incidents that are covered by your policy as soon as possible after they occur.”
Regular maintenance on your home, including making a habit of inspecting the hoses that connect to your washing machine and dishwasher, as well as sinks and taps, could help prevent leaks from happening in the first place. Your insurance policy may not provide cover for damage caused by escaping water that you could reasonably have been aware of.9
What should you do if you’re renting and there’s a water leak?
If the water leak is property- or plumbing-related, contact your landlord or real estate agent about getting it repaired.10
Any water damage that occurs to the property you’re renting due to a water leak that’s caused by ’fair wear and tear’ – for example a leaking roof or dodgy plumbing – is typically the landlord’s responsibility.11 However, tenants are generally obligated to let their landlord know about any damage or disrepair as soon as possible.12
If you have contents insurance for renters and a water leak damages your belongings in the property you’re renting, contact your insurer about making a claim.
To explore home insurance to suit your circumstances, consider starting a quote with Youi – it's insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
1 Exclusions and limits may apply. For full details, see our home insurance PDS.
2 Source: Qld Government – Water or electricity problems
3 Source: Qld Government – Detecting leaks and reading your water meter
4 Source: NSW Government – Emergency services
5 Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs – Triple Zero
6 Source: SA Water – Finding leaks on your property
7 Source: Qld Government – Waterwise home, August 2023
8 Source: Clarence Valley Council – Checking for water leaks
9 Source: Canstar – How to make a home insurance claim for water damage, July 2024
10 Source: NSW Government – Getting repairs done on a rental property
11 Source: NSW Government – Fair wear and tear versus damage in rental properties
12 Source: Tenants’ Union of New South Wales – Repairs and maintenance
