Many modern properties are designed with aesthetics in mind, and although this is great on a surface level, it can make things challenging when a leak occurs. This is because, in order to achieve a contemporary, minimalistic look, architects will hide all of the main pipework deep underneath the floor, or even in the walls. And so, when you suspect you have a leak, it can be difficult to find out where it is originating from without causing extensive damage.
Fortunately, there are a multitude of ways that leak detection engineers can precisely and efficiently identify the source of a leak, even if it is located on pipework that is difficult to reach. If you’re considering hiring a leak detection specialist but aren’t sure how their services work, this article will guide you through some of the effective techniques that our engineers here at Leak Tracers Direct frequently use for successful results.
How Leak Detection Engineers Diagnose Leaking Pipes
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Thermal imaging is a very common, non-invasive method of leak detection which involves the use of specialist infrared cameras to measure the volume of infrared light emitted from a surface. Through this process, you can identify any temperature differences in your pipes; being able to visualise temperature in this way makes it much easier to identify a leak.
One of the great things about thermal imaging technology is that it is incredibly accurate at detecting moisture or locating leaking pipes in both domestic and commercial properties. They can even identify leaks in buried or hidden water pipes that you might not be aware exist, and can go where moisture metres simply cannot.
Alongside the ease and convenience of this method, it is also faster and generally much more affordable than other, more invasive methods. This means that you can return to your property quickly with minimal disruption.
The thermal imaging detection process is simple yet effective. Thermal imaging cameras have x-ray vision and will observe pipes that are buried beneath the floor. If a pipe is leaking, it will show up as a big red or blue blob – referred to as an anomaly. Once a leak has been detected, it’ll need to be exposed for repairs.
The time it takes to conduct a thorough building inspection depends on several factors, including the size of your property (larger spaces naturally take more time to search) and the severity of the problem. At Leak Tracers Direct, our team has the skills and experience necessary to excavate the area to reveal the source, and even dig down to the hidden pipes when necessary.
Acoustic Microphones
Another method that our engineers frequently utilise to search for and find hidden leaks is acoustic microphones. With advanced acoustic identification, we use high-tech, highly sensitive acoustic pipe microphones to magnify the noise of any type of leak. This handy method delivers precise and reliable results without causing any damage or disruption to your property.
Our team can quickly and efficiently locate the exact source of a leak without causing any structural damage to your property. We do this by listening to the noise of water escaping from a leaking pipe, which has time and time again proven to be a highly accurate method of solving this issue.
During an acoustic microphone leak detection, a stopper is attached to the pipe that our engineers believe the damage is coming from. The stopper then opens and closes the valve with the purpose of creating a rhythm that can be picked up on an acoustic listening stick. An engineer will then place the microphone above the buried pipes to listen for any noises that may be generated by the potential leak. Naturally, wherever the sound is recorded loudest, that is where the leak originates.
Using an acoustic microphone for leak detection is beneficial for a number of reasons, including:
- Accuracy: Leak Tracers Direct can identify the exact location of any leak, meaning that a plumber can be directed straight to the source of the problem.
- Less hassle: There is no need for any destruction of the garden or driveway, meaning less disruption and no costly repairs.
- Convenience: Acoustic microphone leak detection is quick, simple and very cost-effective. Your leak can be identified and rectified in the shortest amount of time possible.
Acoustic microphone leak detection also works well in both domestic and commercial properties, so whatever type of leak you are facing or what kind of property you have, our engineers can help. The technology used relies upon the noise created by the leak, so the size of your building or its location is actually inconsequential. No matter what your specific circumstances are, count on Leak Tracers to get the job done right.
Fluorescein Dye Tests
Dye test leak tracing is typically used as a last resort to identify leak sources. As the test is destructive, it is typically only used when cosmetic damage has already been done to your property, and thus the dye won’t cause further destruction. Although the dye used is visible to the eye, through the use of a UV lamp they can even be seen in very low concentrations.
Let’s say, for example, that you live in a flat: your downstairs neighbours have complained about dripping water coming through their ceiling whilst you are using the bathroom. If this happens, it is often the case that there is a break in a subfloor pipe which carries waste water away. In this case, one of our leak detection engineers would introduce a coloured dye into the pipework, alongside a ‘borescope’ – a snake camera – to detect where exactly the waste water is emerging. Once the source of the leak has been pinpointed, it can be quickly repaired before it causes any more damage.
Gas Trace Surveys
We tend to mainly use gas trace surveys for central heating leaks, and occasionally for slow leaks coming from hot or cold supply pipes. During a gas trace survey, water will be removed from all pipework and is replaced with tracer gas – a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen.
This tracer gas is put under pressure and, if there is a leak present, will escape through the hole at the source before becoming airborne due to the hydrogen content. The combination of gases makes tracer gas lighter than air, which is why it rises so quickly.
After this, a leak detection expert will attempt to detect any tracer gas in the air using a probe which detects hydrogen molecules. Tracer gas can permeate concrete, wooden floor joists and almost every type of floor finish, so there should be no issue with an engineer successfully detecting it in the atmosphere. Once the source of the leak has been identified, the floor can be dug up or the wall section can be removed in the relevant location so that the leak can be repaired with minimal disruptions.
Why Hire a Leak Detection Specialist Over a Traditional Plumber?
When choosing which leak detection company to work with, you need to consider who is capable of solving your leak problem with an end-to-end service. The solution will typically include the following steps:
- Identifying where the leak is coming from.
- Digging up the floor or removing a portion of the wall to reach the source of the leak so that it can be repaired.
- Repairing not only the leak itself, but also any damage that has been caused by attempting to reach the leaking pipe.
Whilst many companies will only perform non-intrusive leak detections – meaning they will find the source of the leak but won’t help with access or repairs – here at Leak Tracers Direct, we will not only detect the leak, but also perform all of the intrusive work necessary to access the point of leakage and prevent the leak from causing any more damage.
Maintaining the services of one company throughout this process is not only more convenient for you, but it also helps things to move along quickly and is much more cost-effective.
Looking for a Team of Professional Leak Finders?
Whether it’s a shower leak, bath leak or a central heating leak, here at Leak Tracers Direct we can assist in identifying the source of many kinds of leaks in a wide variety of property types – especially when the location of the leak isn’t obvious, or is hidden.
We will connect you with specialist leak detection service providers who use cutting-edge technology such as thermal imaging, gas tracing, acoustic microphones and dye tests to trace the source of the leak with high levels of accuracy and without the need for costly disruptions.
Want to find out more about how we can help you with a leak in your domestic or commercial property? Our friendly and experienced team are ready to deal with your enquiries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply give us a call on 0203 011 0902 or fill out our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.