When water pressure drops, a water bill rises unexpectedly or a meter continues moving when every tap is turned off, the cause is not always immediately obvious.
It may be related to work or pressure changes within Unitywater’s network. It may also be caused by a concealed leak, damaged pipework, a faulty fixture or another issue within the property.
Understanding where the responsibility changes between Unitywater and the private plumbing system can help North Lakes homeowners take the right next step.
For problems located within the property boundary, a licensed North Lakes plumber can investigate the plumbing, identify the likely cause and recommend the appropriate repair.
Is Unitywater Responsible for Plumbing Problems in North Lakes?
Unitywater manages the broader water supply and wastewater network throughout North Lakes and the surrounding Moreton Bay region.
This includes water mains, wastewater infrastructure and the network that delivers water to the property meter.
The property owner is generally responsible for the private plumbing located after the water meter. This can include:
- Water supply pipes running from the meter to the home
- Hot and cold water lines within the property
- Taps, toilets, showers and other fixtures
- Hot water systems
- Internal and external drainage
- Water connections serving kitchens, bathrooms and laundries
When an issue affects several nearby properties, it may indicate a network outage, maintenance work or a problem with the local water main.
When the issue affects only one property, one section of the home or a single fixture, it is more likely to be associated with the private plumbing.
What Is Happening with Water Infrastructure in North Lakes?
North Lakes has continued to grow, placing additional demand on local water and wastewater infrastructure.
Unitywater has completed upgrades to wastewater infrastructure servicing North Lakes and nearby suburbs to improve capacity and reliability as the area develops.
Unitywater is also progressively introducing digital water meters throughout its service region. These meters provide more detailed information about water usage and can help identify unusual consumption patterns earlier than traditional manual meter readings.
A digital meter alert does not identify the exact location of a leak. It indicates that water usage appears unusual and that further investigation may be required.
This means households may become aware of a hidden plumbing problem before it creates obvious water damage or a significantly higher bill.
Why Has My North Lakes Water Bill Increased?
An increase in a water bill does not automatically mean there is a leak.
Water usage can increase because of seasonal conditions, additional household members, irrigation, pool maintenance, appliance use or changes to water and wastewater charges.
However, a sudden or unexplained increase can also be a warning sign of a plumbing problem.
Common causes of unexpected water consumption include:
- A toilet that continues running after flushing
- A dripping tap or leaking mixer
- A damaged garden irrigation line
- A leaking pressure-limiting valve
- A hot water system releasing excessive water
- A concealed pipe leak inside a wall, ceiling or floor
- A damaged underground water line between the meter and the house
Some leaks are visible immediately. Others can continue for weeks or months without producing an obvious puddle.
How to Check for a Hidden Water Leak
A basic meter test can help determine whether water is continuing to flow when it should not be.
Step 1: Turn off all water-using fixtures
Turn off taps, washing machines, dishwashers, irrigation systems and any other appliances using water.
Do not turn off the main water supply at the meter because the test relies on the meter remaining connected to the property.
Step 2: Check the water meter
Record the meter reading or take a clear photograph of the display.
Step 3: Wait without using water
Avoid using taps, toilets and appliances for at least 30 minutes. A longer test can make a slow leak easier to identify.
Step 4: Check the meter again
If the reading has changed while no water was intentionally being used, water may be escaping somewhere within the property.
The meter test confirms that water is moving through the system, but it does not reveal where the water is going. Further plumbing investigation may still be required.
What Causes Low Water Pressure in North Lakes?
Low water pressure can be caused by the public water network or by the plumbing inside the property.
Unitywater may adjust network pressure, conduct maintenance or temporarily interrupt supply while completing infrastructure work.
Before contacting a plumber in North Lakes, it can be useful to determine how widespread the issue is.
Low pressure throughout the entire property
When every tap and shower is affected, possible causes include:
- A local Unitywater supply issue
- A partially closed water meter valve
- A damaged water line entering the property
- A concealed leak
- A blocked or failing pressure-limiting valve
- Restricted or ageing pipework
Low pressure at one fixture
When the problem affects only one tap or shower, the cause is more likely to be within that fixture.
This can include a blocked aerator, restricted shower head, faulty mixer cartridge, damaged flexible hose or partially closed isolation valve.
Low pressure only on the hot water side
When the cold water pressure is normal but the hot water pressure is weak, the issue may be associated with the hot water system, tempering valve, pipework or another component within the hot water supply.
Is the Problem Unitywater or the Property Plumbing?
The following checks can help narrow down the likely cause.
- Ask a neighbour: If nearby homes have the same problem, it may be related to the network.
- Check Unitywater outages: Look for reported maintenance, outages or supply interruptions affecting North Lakes.
- Test multiple fixtures: Determine whether the issue affects the entire property or only one area.
- Check the water meter: Movement while all fixtures are off may indicate a leak within the property.
- Compare hot and cold pressure: This can help identify whether the issue is connected to the hot water system.
- Inspect visible plumbing: Look for moisture, corrosion, dripping valves or unusually wet areas around the home.
If Unitywater is not reporting a local problem and neighbouring properties are unaffected, the next step is usually an inspection of the private plumbing.
Signs of a Concealed Plumbing Leak
A concealed leak does not always produce visible running water.
Warning signs may include:
- An unexplained increase in water usage
- The water meter moving when all fixtures are off
- Damp or discoloured plasterboard
- Swollen skirting boards, flooring or cabinetry
- Mould or persistent musty smells
- Warm sections of flooring
- Reduced water pressure
- The sound of water running inside a wall
- Unusually green or wet sections of the yard
Finding a leak early can reduce water loss and limit damage to wall linings, flooring, cabinetry and structural materials.
North Lakes Plumbing for Renovations and Property Upgrades
Renovations also provide an opportunity to inspect plumbing that is normally hidden behind walls, cabinetry and finished surfaces.
While a kitchen, bathroom or laundry is stripped back, the existing water lines can be assessed for unnecessary joins, ageing materials, poor positioning and connections that may become inaccessible after the renovation.
Renovation plumbing may involve:
- Rerouting hot and cold water lines
- Removing concealed compression joints
- Repositioning taps and appliance connections
- Adjusting waste and drainage locations
- Relocating a hot water system
- Preparing plumbing for new cabinetry
- Improving access to isolation valves
Completing this work while the walls are open can prevent finished surfaces from needing to be removed later.
When Should You Contact a North Lakes Plumber?
A licensed plumber should inspect the property when:
- The water meter moves while all fixtures are turned off
- Water pressure remains low and no Unitywater outage is reported
- Only the hot water pressure is affected
- A water bill has increased without an obvious change in usage
- There are signs of moisture inside walls, ceilings or floors
- A toilet, tap or valve continues leaking
- Underground pipework may be damaged
- Plumbing needs to be relocated during a renovation
Early investigation can prevent a relatively small plumbing problem from developing into extensive water damage or a larger repair.
Looking for a Plumber in North Lakes?
RJT Plumbing & Gas provides residential and renovation plumbing throughout North Lakes and surrounding Moreton Bay suburbs.
Services include leak investigations, water pressure diagnosis, tap and toilet repairs, hot water systems, renovation plumbing, water line alterations and general property maintenance.
For reliable North Lakes plumbing, contact RJT Plumbing & Gas to arrange an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Unitywater responsible for plumbing problems in North Lakes?
Unitywater manages the public water supply and wastewater network servicing North Lakes, including infrastructure up to the property connection. Plumbing located within the property boundary is generally the property owner's responsibility. When a problem affects only one home or one fixture, it is more likely to be related to the property's private plumbing.
Why has my North Lakes water bill increased?
A water bill can increase because of seasonal usage, irrigation, additional household members, pool maintenance, appliances or changes to water and wastewater charges. A sudden increase without an obvious change in usage may also indicate a leaking toilet, dripping tap, damaged irrigation line, hot water system fault or concealed pipe leak.
How can I check for a hidden water leak?
Turn off all taps, toilets, appliances and irrigation systems, then record the water meter reading. Avoid using water for at least 30 minutes and check the meter again. If the reading changes while no water is being used, there may be a leak within the property.
What causes low water pressure in North Lakes?
Low water pressure may be caused by Unitywater maintenance, a local supply issue, a partially closed meter valve, concealed leak, damaged supply pipe, faulty pressure-limiting valve or restricted internal pipework. When only one tap or shower is affected, the cause is more likely to be within that fixture.
How do I know whether low water pressure is a Unitywater problem or a plumbing problem?
Check whether neighbouring properties are experiencing the same issue and whether Unitywater has reported an outage or maintenance work. If nearby homes are unaffected and the problem is limited to your property, the cause is more likely to be within the private plumbing system.
What are the signs of a concealed plumbing leak?
Signs of a concealed leak can include an unexplained increase in water usage, movement on the water meter while fixtures are off, damp plasterboard, swollen flooring or cabinetry, mould, musty smells, reduced water pressure, running-water sounds inside walls or unusually wet areas in the yard.
When should I contact a North Lakes plumber?
Contact a licensed North Lakes plumber when the water meter continues moving with all fixtures off, water pressure remains low without a reported Unitywater issue, only the hot water pressure is affected, there are signs of moisture or a water bill has increased without an obvious explanation.
Does RJT Plumbing and Gas provide plumbing services in North Lakes?
Yes. RJT Plumbing & Gas provides plumbing services throughout North Lakes, including leak investigations, water pressure diagnosis, tap and toilet repairs, hot water systems, renovation plumbing, water line alterations and general plumbing maintenance.
