Wigram has grown quickly through 21st century subdivisions, much of it on the former Wigram Aerodrome. After the airfield closed in 2009, Ngāi Tahu Property subdivided the land into the Wigram Skies development, with The Runway following the route of the old runway. Smaller subdivisions such as Broken Run, which created 126 residential lots in 2005, sit near the headwaters of the Heathcote River. Most hidden leaks in Wigram are on the supply pipe between the boundary and the house, under a shower or in a wall cavity. We narrow it down with the right equipment and show you what we found.
Wigram's new homes on the old aerodrome
Most of Wigram was built this century, much of it on the former Wigram Aerodrome after the airfield closed in 2009, including Wigram Skies and The Runway. Smaller subdivisions such as Broken Run sit near the headwaters of the Ōpāwaho / Heathcote River. Almost all of these homes are slab construction with modern plastic pipe inside the concrete and walls. Because these homes are young, the original plans and the builder's details are often still available, which shows where pipes run before we start listening.
Leaks in new homes are usually at fittings, for example behind a shower or at a mixer, or on hot lines in the slab. The first sign may be a damp skirting, a stain on a ceiling under an upstairs bathroom, or the water bill. We confirm with the meter, then isolate hot and cold. On the hot side, thermal imaging shows the warm trail through the concrete. On the cold side, we pressure test and listen. If the home is still covered by its builder, our report gives them the exact location and cause. Irrigation lines in newer gardens are another common loss, and we can isolate them separately.
Wigram also holds Christchurch's record low, minus 9.4°C in July 1945, and the flat ground lets frost settle. Outdoor taps and pipes in garages can split and leak after a hard frost, even in new homes, so lagging them is worthwhile.
Local tip: In a new Wigram home, check the shower silicone and grout each year; a failed seal lets water into the wall that can look like a pipe leak.
Leak Detection in Wigram: Local Factors
New townhouses can have leaks in shower trays, wastes and fittings hidden in walls or under slabs. We pinpoint the leak so the builder or owner knows exactly what to fix.
For anything else, see our plumbers in Wigram.
How We Handle Leak Detection in Wigram
Our leak detection in Wigram is non invasive wherever possible, so only a small area needs opening for the repair.
Pricing: quotes are free, and every job gets a fixed price before we start, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Leak Detection Jobs We Do in Wigram
- Toby meter test
- Leak report for insurance
- Supply pipe leak
- Wall cavity leak
- Acoustic leak detection
Leak Detection Wigram FAQs
Is a leak in our new Wigram home the builder's problem?
It may be, depending on your agreement and how old the home is. We find the exact location and cause and give you a written report you can pass on to the builder.
Can you find leaks under concrete slabs?
Yes. We use pressure testing and listening gear to locate leaks under slabs.
Can you fix the leak after finding it?
Yes. Once we find it, we give you a price and can usually fix it on the same visit.
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