Leak Detection Services
Having a Problem Finding Where a Leak is?
Hidden leaks in mains water or heating pipe systems can cause a lot of damage if they remain undetected. A trained plumber will know how to repair a leaking pipe but is not always the best expert to discover exactly where water is escaping from, especially if water pipes remain hidden from view. Damp problems in properties may be the result of a leak or a fractured pipe, but can also be as a result other issues that are not immediately apparent.
Faulty joints on heating pipes that are located within your concrete floor can cause your heating system to fail and also will cause water damage to your property. A breakdown of under floor heating pipes, moisture ingress through walls, problems with damp appearing unexpectedly, through walls ceilings of roofs can be identified by a trained leak detection technician.
Whether your leak is in commercial or industrial premises or is causing a problem in your home The Ideal Group can help you to identify the source of the leak if it exists and detect precisely where it is and arrange the repair. Working closely with a specialist partner The Ideal Group can call upon the following specialist services to get your business or home back to normal again:
- Acoustic leak detection including tracing of pipe locations
- Thermal imaging leak detection
- Tracer Gas analysis leak detection
- Building moisture surveys and reports
- Water and salt testing and analysis
- Dye testing
- Use of boroscopes to view hidden voids and detect leak problems
- Use of a range of moisture measuring equipment and professional analysis
- Trace and access work for insurance claims
- Commercial and Domestic leak detection services – Internal and external pipes
- National coverage of the UK by dedicated leak detection technicians
Acoustic Leak Detection
Prior to using acoustic detection, additional specialist equipment is employed to locate and plot the pipe routes and determines their depth below the floor or the ground. Then the use of a sensitive ground microphone is deployed to enhance the sound of the leak within a pipe. Acoustic detection equipment is generally used on pressurised pipe work only - mains supply, cold/hot mains feed and heating pipes.
Thermal Image Leak Detection
Also referred to as infra-red camera detection, its main function is to detect leaks on hot central heating pipes. The camera works on temperature differentials and defines heat patterns through various materials. It can also be used to locate leaks on flat roofs and determine temperature differentials through a property structure caused by high levels of moisture. Only qualified technicians should be appointed to carry out this work, and they will fully understand the resultant images and correctly interpret what is being shown.
Tracer Gas Detection
A safe mix of 95% Nitrogen and 5% Hydrogen gas can be used to purge heating pipes when difficulty is experienced in locating leaks i.e. those too big or small for acoustic detection. The gas is pressurised into the pipe via the stop-tap and is detected above ground level by hydrogen sensitive probes. The gas used is completely harmless to the drinking water supply. The heating system being tested would need to be turned off and drained prior to commencement of this method.
Use of Endoscopes
An endoscope is a specialist viewing tool used to inspect places that cannot be seen by the naked eye. Particularly useful for cavity inspections and looking into service voids, a camera can be attached to the endoscope to take photographs. (E.g. floor voids, wall cavities, below shower trays, roof voids etc.)
Water and Salts Analysis
Samples of water and/or salts can be taken from site for testing. Tests can be carried out to determine if a water source is from mains tap water, ground water source or soil evaporation water however the equipment is effective for testing any water type.
Pipe and or pipe joint excavation and repairs
Once the leaking pipe has been located The Ideal Group can also arrange for the excavation and repair of the problem pipe or pipe joint. Telephone the Ideal Group now for more information.
