Water Leak Detection Testing
If life were perfect, all water leak detection would be an easy task. When a leak is present, and you can visually identify the source; such as with a leaking pipe under the kitchen sink or a toilet gasket, determining the next step toward a repair it is a lot easier.
When the leak in your plumbing system is in an area that is not visually accessible, the problem becomes significantly more complicated. A leak underneath your bathroom floor can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time to hardwood and tile surfaces. Time is of the essence if you’re going to repair your leak before any further cosmetic, or worse, structural damage can occur.
Hydrostatic Testing for Water Leak Detection
Hydrostatic testing is a process used for testing pipes and tanks for leaks. The test is performed by pressurizing the pipe or tank being examined and then monitoring water levels in the system for any changes. If the water level decreases at the monitoring point, that indicates a leak in that system.
In the plumbing environment, a hydrostatic test will usually require the removal of a ground floor toilet. The structure’s plumbing system is blocked off at the main connection to the sewer line with an inflatable rubber plug. The water level at the observation point is noted and monitored for about twenty minutes, and if the water level drops during the pressure test, there is a leak in the plumbing that needs to be located and repaired.
Once the presence of a leak is confirmed, the process becomes a little more refined, and this next level of water leak detection is referred to as “isolation testing”.
Isolation Testing for Water Leak Detection
Isolation testing is used once a leak in the system is confirmed and consists of performing one of two different tests. Depending on the location being isolation tested, a specific section of the plumbing system is blocked and pressurized with water or compressed air, and if the pressure decreases during the test, the location of the leak is further narrowed down with each test.
Once a leak is successfully located and repaired, we perform the same hydrostatic tests to ensure the integrity of our repair. Our testing and repair work is performed only by licensed and experienced plumbing technicians, and all our work is warranted.
If you suspect a water leak inside or outside of your home, give Nick’s Plumbing and Air Conditioning Services a call for the best in water leak detection services. When dealing with a water leak, it’s always better to act sooner than later.
Plumbing leaks can create an incredible amount of damage in just a short time to walls, floors, foundations, and your family’s important keepsakes. Trust the expert water leak detection services available from Nick’s Plumbing and Air Conditioning Services.
