Any plumbers who know about leak detection?

[thedoc46]

So apparently I have a leak somewhere, and given its not peeing water from anywhere obvious, i'm guessing its in a pipe underground, or better still under the concrete slab that my house sits on.



So are there any plumbers on here that know about leak detection? How does it work? how reliable is it?

 

[kokuten]

they are seriously easy to spot, you don't even need a plumber, i have enclosed an image to help

 

[Lysander]

Condensation, winter.

 

[Benihana]

they are seriously easy to spot, you don't even need a plumber, i have enclosed an image to help

Thats a leek, no spelling errors here my friend

 

[thedoc46]

they are seriously easy to spot, you don't even need a plumber, i have enclosed an image to help

If I could punch you thru your laptop screen, rest assured, I WOULD !

 

[Mr Badger]

If I could punch you thru your laptop screen, rest assured, I WOULD !

Go on, give it a go...

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Rub your hand along the surface. Wet = warm. Dry = cold.

 

[Hitman_Leon]

OP needs help in finding the "wet spot"

 

[kokuten]

If I could punch you thru your laptop screen, rest assured, I WOULD !

 

[anything I don't mind]

leak detection just tells you that you have a leak as far as i am ware, which is something you already know.

 

[Mark A]

This is why you post in the correct sub forum instead of GD...

 

[FinglisHobbit]

Erm..

Check all visible pipework..

Check all ceilings for signs of leaks above them..

Check all visible floor areas where the pipes are laid.

Other than that.. Not much you can do pal!

 

[Nightglow]

Try a Listening stick, it will detect water leaks that are loud, say a big leak, rather than a trickle.

If you have trees, then their root are big cause of leaks.

Water boards tend to use acoustic ground microphone probe to find leaks nowadays.

 

[thedoc46]

Obviously, its not obvious, otherwise i wouldn't be posting this.. My understanding is that leaks can be found using camera probes and sound. Also thermal devices (if a hot water leak) I was hoping some experienced plumbers may be able to chime in..

Problem is pipes run under a concrete slab, and you simply don't want to go digging up the entire house to find a leak.

Plenty of YouTube video's showing them fixing the leak, which seems to be accurately located, as in a specific tile removed, and hole in the floor, via a pneumatic drill. So there has to be special devices that do a good job, of finding the leak.

 

[Nightglow]

Yes.

Acoustic ground microphone probe, also ultrasound can be used to pick up sound of running water.

Could also use a CAT scanner (cable avoidance locator) with genny (signal generator), that would trace the route of the pipe.

http://www.radiodetection.com/menu_map_level_3.asp?sec_id=2690

http://www.subsurfaceleak.com/find_leaks.html

 

[pitchfork]

If it's under the slab I say you just give up and burn the house down.

 

[Ronty]

What's telling you that you have a leak? Losing pressure in heating system? Ball valves always running?

 

[Mickie]

some people use thermal cameras, i wouldnt mind one for the collection but they cost too much..

strangely ive never needed one, i'd normally just trace the pipe back..

obviously if its heating youd see pressure drop so chase heating back
if its hot, turn the hot water off, if its that the leak will stop and so on..

 

[thedoc46]

What's telling you that you have a leak? Losing pressure in heating system? Ball valves always running?

Main supply to the house. with all the water off the dial is still spinning, so that means water is escaping somehow. Anyway I've managed to isolate the leak, and THANK GOD !! its not inside under the slab.. So not jack hammer needed ! its outside in the irrigation system somewhere, so it should be fairly easy to find, with a listening device, so i am told.