How to spot a burst water pipe in your garden — and what to do next
You’ve spotted something odd in your garden. Maybe there’s a soggy patch that won’t dry out, or you’ve noticed your water bill creeping higher than usual. It’s natural to wonder if it could be a burst water pipe.
The truth is, it can be tricky knowing the signs. A sign of a burst pipe isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes the warning signs are subtle, and you only realise after there’s been damage. That’s why it’s smart to stay alert to the warning signs of a burst early, before things get worse.
At Outright Plumbing, we’ve helped hundreds of Melbourne families deal with garden leaks, tap issues, and underground pipe bursts. With more than 600 five-star reviews, you can feel confident you’re getting advice from a team locals trust.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the most common signs to look out for, the immediate steps to take, and how a licensed plumber can step in to protect your home and garden. And if your issue is something simpler (like a burst garden tap that won’t stop dripping) we can help with that too.
Early warning signs of a burst garden pipe
A burst water pipe doesn’t always show itself straight away. More often, it leaves behind subtle clues that something isn’t quite right in your garden. These early signs can be easy to miss, but picking up on them quickly can save you from bigger repairs and higher bills down the track.
Below, we’ve put together seven of the most common signs we look for when a pipe has burst underground. If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth taking action sooner rather than later.
1. Persistent puddles or soggy patches
If you’ve noticed standing water in your lawn or garden beds, even after a run of sunny days, it’s often more than just overwatering. One of the most visible signs of a hidden water leak is ground that stays damp or boggy while the rest of the soil dries out.
What’s happening is simple: leaking water from underground pipes keeps escaping into the soil, creating soggy patches that don’t go away. In Melbourne gardens, where sandy soil should normally drain quickly, persistent wet spots are almost always a red flag.
Paying attention to these areas early can stop a small leak from turning into a bigger problem.
2. A sudden spike in your water bill
Your water bill is one of the best tools for spotting hidden leaks. If your water usage hasn’t changed (no extra loads of washing, no new garden irrigation, no guests staying over) but your bill has climbed, it’s worth paying attention.
Often, a burst or leaking pipe means water is running constantly out of sight. That wasted water consumption adds up quickly, and the first place most people notice it is on their quarterly statement.
In some cases, excessive water pressure in older pipes can also cause small cracks to widen, making the leak worse and pushing your bill even higher. We’ve seen plenty of Melbourne households surprised by a sudden spike, only to find the culprit was a hidden garden pipe.
3. Drops in water pressure around the home
A leaking pipe underground often shows up as weaker water pressure inside. Showers don’t feel as strong, the hot water taps take longer to fill, and your garden hose might not spray as far as it used to.
When this happens across a few different plumbing fixtures, it usually means water is escaping before it gets to you. We deal with low water pressure around Melbourne all the time, and it's surprising how often it comes down to a leaky garden pipe.
4. Sounds of running water underground
Hearing the sound of water when every tap and appliance is switched off is a clue worth paying attention to. It often means there are hidden pipe leaks under the soil.
That faint hiss or trickle is the source of the leak, making itself known. If you can hear it but can’t see any obvious puddles, it can still tell if a pipe burst underground. Catching it early can stop bigger problems from developing in your garden or home.
5. Isolated patches of lush growth
If one area of your backyard looks greener or grows faster than the rest, it can be more than just good soil. Leaking pipes underground act like an invisible irrigation system, feeding one spot with constant moisture.
When water escapes before it reaches your fixtures and drain, it disrupts the whole plumbing system while overwatering that single patch. What looks like healthy growth can actually be an early sign of a burst pipe.
6. Muddy water or reduced water quality
When a broken pipe underground lets dirt and sediment into your lines, it often shows up in your tap water. You might notice it looking cloudy, tasting different, or even leaving water stains around sinks and tubs.
Even a small leak in a pipe can create these issues, and over time, it can lead to more damaged pipes throughout your system. If your water suddenly looks or feels different, it’s best to have it checked before it gets worse.
7. Cracks, sinkholes, or shifting soil
If you’ve spotted new cracks in paths, uneven ground, or even small sinkholes forming, it may be linked to a leaking pipe on your property. As water escapes, it washes away soil and weakens surfaces above.
We see this often in Melbourne gardens, where tree roots push against corroded pipes or where long-term blocked pipes have built up pressure. If you suspect there’s a burst pipe somewhere, keep an eye out for these pipes for signs in the landscape — they usually mean urgent repairs are needed.
What to do if you suspect a burst pipe
If you think a pipe has burst, the most important thing is to act quickly but calmly. Here’s what we recommend:
- Turn off the water supply
Go to your main water shut-off valve, usually found near the front boundary or close to the water meter. Turn it clockwise until it’s tight — that stops the main water supply from feeding the leak. - Drain the system
Once the supply is off, open your cold taps and flush the toilets. This clears the water supply line of any remaining pressure. If you have an outdoor hose, run it until it’s dry. This step reduces how much water can escape from the damaged pipe. - Protect your home and garden
Move any valuables, outdoor furniture, or garden equipment away from the affected area. If water has made its way indoors, use towels to soak up as much as you can and keep an eye out for damp spots that could leave water stains. - Check obvious spots
Walk through your garden and listen carefully. The hiss or rush of water is often the best clue to finding the problem. Look near garden beds, along paved areas, or around old outdoor taps. Even if you can’t see a puddle, these sounds can point to the water main or smaller lines underground. - Call a plumber
This is where experience counts. A burst pipe is rarely a simple DIY fix — in fact, a quick patch can make it worse. A licensed plumber has the tools to pinpoint the source of the leak with leak detection technology and the skills to repair it properly. That means the job’s done safely and the fix lasts. - Report to your council
Visit your city council’s website. They’ll usually have an issue report form where you can let them know if there’s a serious risk of the leak turning into a flood that could affect your home and others. For example, here’s Bayside City Council’s Report A Problem page; this is our council’s page, but yours will have one just like it.
By taking these steps, you’ll limit the damage and make it easier for us to step in and get everything back to normal.
Why it’s important not to ignore the signs
Even a small leak left alone can turn into a major problem. A burst pipe can cause far more than soggy soil — unchecked, pipes can cause significant damage to your home and garden. We’ve seen how quickly a minor issue becomes a burst that leaves families in Melbourne with expensive repairs and weeks of disruption.
The cost to your home
When a pipe lets go, the water doesn’t stop until you shut it off. That much water can:
- Lead to water damage in walls, floors, and outdoor structures.
- Cause extensive water damage to landscaping, driveways, and neighbouring properties.
- Leave behind serious water damage that weakens foundations and encourages mould growth.
- Push your water bills sky-high while wasting thousands of litres.
Common causes we see in Melbourne
Every home is different, but there are patterns we come across all the time:
- Exposed pipes outdoors are more vulnerable to damage.
- Ageing copper or clay lines are common causes burst pipes, especially where large tree roots are involved.
- In colder climates, frozen pipes are a big risk — here in Melbourne, freezing is rare, but insulation helps prevent burst pipes. It’s still good practice to keep your pipes from freezing if you live in the hills or travel to colder regions.
Why quick action matters
Once water starts escaping, it rarely slows down. Acting quickly makes all the difference between a simple fix and major repairs. Licensed plumbers deal with these problems every week, so we’re well-versed in dealing with a burst and dealing with burst pipes safely. Getting help early will protect your home, save you money, and give you peace of mind.
Call Outright Plumbing for burst pipe emergencies
If you’ve noticed the warning signs of a pipe burst — or you’re certain a pipe has burst — it’s time to bring in the experts. When a water pipe bursts, quick action makes all the difference. That’s where we come in.
At Outright Plumbing, we’re the Melbourne team families trust when they need a licensed emergency plumber who knows how to handle a burst pipe emergency.
Here’s what you can expect when you call us:
- True emergency plumbing services: same-day callouts for urgent jobs.
- Fixed, upfront pricing: no hidden costs or nasty surprises.
- Specialist leak detection tools: we find the problem fast and fix it properly.
- Professional clean-up: we leave your home and garden tidy.
- Trusted plumbing service: a local team with decades of experience in Melbourne homes.
- Support beyond the burst: if your hot water system or other fixtures are affected, we can repair or replace those too.
When you contact a plumbing service, you deserve more than just a quick patch job. You need a reliable team that knows how to protect your home and prevent bigger problems.
Don’t wait for a pipe burst emergency to cause costly damage. Call Outright Plumbing's emergency plumbing specialists and let us get your home back to normal today.
