Hole in Water Pipe

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Licensed plumbers across Brisbane, Perth & Adelaide

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4.6 · 2,000+ Google reviews

A hole or pinhole leak in a water pipe wastes water under pressure and can cause hidden damage, and it often signals the pipe is corroding. Our licensed plumbers locate the hole accurately with leak detection, including hidden leaks inside walls and floors, then cut out and replace the damaged section with new pipe and fittings, testing under pressure, rather than applying a patch that soon fails. We will also advise whether the pipe is ageing and more leaks may follow. We repair holes and pinhole leaks in water pipes across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with same-day service where we can and an upfront fixed price.

Why choose Same Day Trades for a holed pipe

We are local, licensed and insured plumbers who do this work every day, so we get it right the first time, with no mess and no surprises on the invoice.

Fully licensed and insured plumbers
Upfront fixed pricing before we start
Same-day service where we can, with 24/7 phones
Workmanship guaranteed and the job left clean
Servicing Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide

Whatever the job, you get honest advice and a tidy, professional result.

Signs of a hole in a water pipe

A hole or pinhole in a water pipe leaks continuously under pressure, so the signs show up whether or not you are using water:

Damp patches or stains on walls, ceilings or floors
A drop in water pressure
The sound of running or trickling water when taps are off
An unexplained rise in your water bill
Damp, musty smells or mould
Soggy ground if the pipe is outside or under the slab

Even a tiny pinhole wastes water and can cause hidden damage, so if you notice these signs, it is worth having the pipe found and repaired promptly.

What causes a hole in a pipe

Holes and pinhole leaks develop for several reasons. Corrosion is the most common, as pipes age, they corrode from the inside until a pinhole breaks through, and copper in particular is prone to pinhole corrosion. High water pressure stresses pipes and accelerates this. Physical damage is another cause, a nail or screw driven into a pipe during renovations, or a strike while digging, can puncture it. Water chemistry and high velocity can also wear pipe walls over time. A pinhole from corrosion often signals the pipe is ageing and more leaks may follow, so identifying the cause matters as much as fixing the hole.

Pinhole leaks explained

A pinhole leak is a tiny hole, often from internal corrosion, that lets water weep or spray out, and while it may seem minor, it is a classic warning sign. Pinholes typically appear in copper pipes as they corrode from the inside, and because the pipe is deteriorating, one pinhole is frequently followed by others nearby or elsewhere in the system. The leak may be small, but over time it wastes water and soaks the surrounding area, causing damp, mould and damage, especially when hidden in a wall. A pinhole leak should not be ignored or just patched, it is worth having a plumber assess whether the pipe, or a longer run, needs replacing.

Finding a hidden holed pipe

Many holed and pinhole-leaking pipes are hidden inside walls, under floors or beneath the slab, where you see the damp but not the leak. Finding them without opening everything up takes specialised equipment, and we use non-invasive leak detection, acoustic listening devices that hear the water escaping under pressure, thermal imaging that reveals wet areas and hot water leaks, and pressure testing. This lets us pinpoint the exact location before making a small, precise access point to reach and repair the pipe, rather than cutting open large sections guessing where the hole is. Accurate detection means a smaller repair and less disruption.

How we repair a holed pipe

Once we have located the hole, we isolate the water, make a neat access point, and cut out the damaged section, replacing it with new pipe and proper fittings, rather than applying a temporary patch or clamp that will likely fail again. Where the pipe is corroded and developing pinholes along its length, we may recommend replacing a longer run so you are not back with another leak nearby soon after. We test the repair under pressure before closing up, to confirm it is watertight and will last. Our aim is a proper, lasting repair that addresses the condition of the pipe, not just plugs the single hole.

Repair or replace the pipe?

Whether to repair just the hole or replace more of the pipe depends on its condition. If the pipe is otherwise sound and the hole was from physical damage, a section repair is the right fix. But if the pipe is corroding and developing pinholes, a single patch just delays the next leak, and replacing the affected run, or planning a staged repipe, is more cost-effective. Pinhole leaks from corrosion are often the first of many. We assess the condition of your pipework and give you honest advice, so you are not paying to repair one pinhole after another on a pipe that is reaching the end of its life.

High water pressure and pinholes

Excessively high water pressure is a common contributor to holes and pinhole leaks, as it constantly stresses the pipe walls and joints, accelerating corrosion and wear and making leaks more likely. It can also cause water hammer, which adds damaging pressure surges. If you have recurring pinhole leaks, water hammer, or a hole with no obvious physical cause, high pressure may be a factor. We can test your water pressure and fit a pressure-limiting valve if it is too high, which protects your whole plumbing system and helps prevent further pinholes and leaks. Addressing pressure is often key to stopping the recurrence of pinhole leaks.

The damage a holed pipe causes

Even a small hole or pinhole, left unaddressed, can cause significant damage because it leaks continuously. Water escaping into a wall cavity, under a floor or above a ceiling soaks the structure, rots timber, ruins plaster, damages flooring, and creates the damp conditions that breed mould, all often hidden from view until stains, bubbling paint or a musty smell appear. By then, considerable damage may have occurred. This is why a pinhole leak, though small, should be found and repaired promptly, the longer it leaks, the more damage and the more expensive the eventual repair. Catching and fixing it early limits both.

Water damage and insurance

Water damage from a holed or leaking pipe may be covered by home insurance, though sudden damage (like a burst) is more likely covered than gradual damage from a slow pinhole leak that was left, which is another reason to act on the signs early. We can provide a clear report of the cause and repair, plus photos, to support your claim. Take your own photos before and during the repair, and keep records. We focus on finding and properly repairing the leak; your insurer can then handle restoring the affected walls, floors and contents. Acting quickly and documenting the damage puts you in the best position.

How much does repair cost?

The cost of repairing a hole in a water pipe depends on where it is, how easy it is to locate and access, and how much pipe needs replacing. Accurate leak detection keeps access and repair costs down by avoiding unnecessary wall or floor damage, and a hole in an accessible spot is cheaper to fix than one deep in a wall or under the slab. We give you an upfront fixed price once we have located the hole and assessed the repair, so you know the cost before we start, and we will flag if corrosion means replacing a longer run or repiping is the better long-term value.

Finding leaks behind a high bill

Sometimes the first sign of a holed or leaking pipe is a water bill that has jumped for no obvious reason, with no visible leak anywhere. A continuous leak from a pinhole or hole, especially a hidden or underground one, can waste a lot of water and show up clearly on the bill before you notice any damp. If your water usage has risen unexplained, it is well worth having a leak check, we use leak detection to find hidden leaks that are driving up your bill. Finding and fixing such a leak stops the waste, the rising cost, and any hidden damage it is quietly causing.

Preventing holes and pinhole leaks

You can reduce the risk of holes and pinhole leaks. Have high water pressure checked and limited if needed, since excessive pressure accelerates corrosion and wear. Act on the first pinhole leak, as it often signals ageing pipe that may be best replaced before more appear. In older homes with ageing copper or metal pipes, consider a plan to replace them before widespread pinholing starts. Be careful drilling or nailing into walls where pipes may run. Addressing pressure and ageing pipework, and acting on early leaks, all help you avoid the water waste and hidden damage that holes and pinhole leaks cause.

Same-day service

A holed or leaking pipe wastes water and can cause hidden damage every hour it continues, so there is no need to wait. We offer fast service and same-day appointments where we can across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and our phones are answered around the clock for significant leaks. We locate the hole, including hidden ones, with leak detection, repair it properly, and test the result, with an upfront price. If a pipe is leaking badly, turn off the water at the mains and call us, and we will get to you as fast as possible to stop the water and fix the pipe.

Licensed, guaranteed plumbers

Finding and repairing a hole or pinhole leak, especially a hidden one, takes a licensed plumber with proper leak-detection equipment and the skill to make a lasting repair. Our team is fully licensed and insured, we locate the hole accurately, cut out and replace the damaged section, test it under pressure, and advise on whether the pipe is ageing and due for replacement, and we back our workmanship. You get accurate detection, upfront fixed pricing, and honest advice. For a plumber near you for a hole in a water pipe, we cover Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

Hole in water pipe FAQs

What causes a hole in a water pipe?

Common causes are internal corrosion and pinhole leaks in ageing pipes, high water pressure, and physical damage such as a nail or screw driven into a pipe during renovations.

Can you find a hidden pinhole leak?

Yes. We use acoustic and thermal leak detection to pinpoint a hole or pinhole leak inside a wall or floor before making a small, precise access point.

How do you repair a hole in a pipe?

We cut out the damaged section and replace it with new pipe and proper fittings, then test under pressure. A patch is only a temporary measure.

Is a pinhole leak serious?

Yes. A pinhole leak wastes water and can cause hidden damage, and it often signals the pipe is corroding and more leaks may follow, so it should be fixed promptly.

Should I replace the pipe?

If the pipe is corroding and developing pinholes, replacing a longer run or repiping may be better value than repeated patches. We will advise honestly.

How much does it cost?

It depends on the location, access and extent. We give you an upfront fixed price once we have located the hole and assessed the repair.

Is it covered by insurance?

Sudden water damage is often covered; gradual damage from an ignored leak may not be. We can provide a report and photos to support a claim.

Do you service my area?

Yes, we repair holes and leaks in water pipes across Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, with same-day service where we can.

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Janis Cumming

Thanks so much Bradley, I really appreciate the time you spent explaining so much to me that I had never known before. I am so pleased to have someone go through my meter box & help me understand it all incase I ever have the same issue! I won’t hesitate to call you at “Same Day Service” again next time! Jan. C.

Jayne Varnish

The guys were friendly efficient & cleaned up after completion perfectly. The qualified plumber Lachlan, spoke encouragingly explaining each procedure clearly to the apprentice. Both men were fun to have working at our house!

bill dear

Coda was fantastic did a great job

GFd Gail Gorton

Great speedy service, very friendly Job well done Highly recommend Jack for repair man

Ian Liddell

Diego and Kosta, greatly appreciate the great work you both did. Impeccable service and workmanship.

Davo Zillas

Jordan was super helpful with investigating our leaking issue

julee johnson

Jack was fabulous great guy 👍

Grace Vinci

I had my Safety switch/ circuit breakers replaced by Jesse. He was helpful, polite and thorough, explained and shown me what needed to be done. He was informative also explained all options available to me giving me a choice, which I appreciated. Before leaving Jesse also made sure everything was in working order before leaving the premises.