Brisbane Plumber Adds Smoke Testing to Locate Hidden Leaks Faster

Smoke Testing for Plumbing: How It Works and Why Commercial Properties Should Take Notice

Brisbane, Australia – May 19, 2026 / Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co. /

Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co helps commercial property owners identify stormwater-to-sewer cross connections with advanced smoke testing technology

BRISBANE, QLD — Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co (AGPCo), a family-owned plumbing and gas fitting business based in Wacol, is using the EHLE smoke testing machine to help commercial property owners identify illegal cross connections between stormwater and sewer lines before they result in council fines, downstream contamination, or costly emergency repairs.

Cross connections occur when stormwater drainage has been incorrectly or illegally connected into the sewer system, either through poor original construction or unauthorised modifications over time. In Queensland, these connections are a compliance issue that local councils actively investigate, and property owners who are found to have them in place can face significant penalties. More importantly, the contamination they cause does real damage to waterways and the broader environment.

Smoke testing provides a direct solution. The EHLE machine introduces a safe, non-toxic smoke into the plumbing or drainage system under low pressure. Where the smoke appears is where the fault is, giving AGPCo a precise location to work from without the need for excavation or invasive investigation.

“Our EHLE smoke machine has been incredibly useful for the identification of cross connections between stormwater and sewer lines in commercial properties,” said Richard Alexander, founder and owner of AGPCo. “We don’t need to start digging in the wrong spot and wasting valuable time and effort. This machine firstly confirms the presence of a leak and then gives us an almost exact location.”

For commercial property owners and facility managers, the value of identifying a cross connection early is substantial. The key reasons AGPCo recommends proactive smoke testing include:

• Avoid council fines: Local councils in South East Queensland can issue penalties to property owners with confirmed stormwater-to-sewer cross connections. Finding and rectifying the fault before an investigation occurs is significantly less costly than responding to an enforcement action.

• Stop downstream contamination: Stormwater entering the sewer system carries pollutants including sediment, chemicals, and biological matter that can affect treatment processes and ultimately end up in local waterways.

• Protect the environment: Correctly separated drainage systems are fundamental to keeping Brisbane’s waterways clean. Identifying and repairing cross connections contributes directly to better environmental outcomes for local catchments.

• Save money: A proactive smoke test costs a fraction of what property owners face in fines, emergency repairs, or remediation work if a cross connection is identified during a council inspection or causes a downstream incident.

Beyond cross connections, the smoke testing service is also effective for locating persistent sewer odours, finding hidden leaks behind walls or under concrete slabs, verifying new plumbing installations, and identifying rainwater ingress points in older commercial buildings.

Richard Alexander brings over 30 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing to every job. AGPCo holds dual licences across both plumbing and gas fitting, a practical advantage that allows commercial clients to manage all plumbing and gas fitting requirements through a single contractor. Richard is a registered Master Plumber with the Master Plumbers Association of Queensland and a certified Queensland Government contractor.

AGPCo holds Queensland Plumbing Licence 28840, Queensland Gas Licence L31 902, QBCC Licence 12 654 79, and Building Assets and Services Contractor 860 066.

Smoke testing is available as a standalone diagnostic service or as part of a broader leak detection and drainage assessment. The service is available across Brisbane, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, and South East Queensland, with 24/7 emergency response for urgent commercial situations.

For more information or to book a smoke test, visit www.alexandergasandplumbing.com.au

Media Contact

Kymm Edmonds, Operations Manager

Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co

0404 823 184 | admin@agpco.com.au

www.alexandergasandplumbing.com.au

About Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co

Alexander Gas and Plumbing Co is a family-owned plumbing and gas fitting business based at Unit 17/1472 Boundary Road, Wacol, QLD 4076. Established in 2013, the business provides residential, commercial, and industrial plumbing and gas fitting services across Brisbane and South East Queensland, with 24/7 emergency response. Holding dual licences across both trades (Queensland Plumbing Licence 28840 and Queensland Gas Licence L31 902), AGPCo offers clients a single point of contact for all plumbing and gas fitting requirements.