LEAK LOCATING
DETERMINING THE EXISTENCE OF A SLAB LEAK
A "slab leak" is by definition a leak in the piping under the concrete slab within the perimeter of the structure. Leaks under driveway, under patios or anywhere else will not be referred to as "Slab Leaks".
Upon arrival it must first be determined if in fact a "slab leak" does exist. There are many conditions that will have some of the same symptoms. The first step in this procedures to perform the pressure test. This is done by attaching a water pressure gauge to the system, usually at the hose bib on the incoming main water service. If that is not possible than any hose faucet can be utilized so long as it is connected to the domestic water supply. Verify all faucets and fixtures are in the off position, no ball cocks are running, and reverse osmosis units are turned off. Any faucet or the fixture that are dripping must be secured by by either closing the angle stops are replacing the unit.
At this point, obtain water pressure reading on the water pressure gauge and then close the valve on the main water service. if a leak is present there will be a drop in the water pressure (NOTE: Verify the main shutoff is functional). If the valve on the water services is not functional, the valve at the water meter may be utilized. However, you will not be able to determine if the leak is in the water service in the house piping system. This would then require the replacement of the faulty valve.
Determining Factors:
1. Have you heard water running without anyone using it?
2. Is the water bill unusually high?
3. Have you noticed more insects around the house?
4. Has the gas water heater main burner turned on without anyone using hot water?
5. Have you noticed a crack in the floor or walls recently?
6. Do you feel a warm spot on the floor?
7. Have you noticed any flooring with water on it?
8. Have you smelled any unusual odor from the flooring recently?
9. When using cold water, does it come out of the faucet warm at first?
LOCATING THE SLAB LEAK
Locating the leak under the concrete must be a methodical procedure. The existence of a host spot on the floor does not always correspond with actual location of the leak as waster can travel fro quite some distance before spreading out enough to form as a warm area. Locating the leak is a two-part procedure, first locating the actual piping and then following along the located piping until the leaking section is found.
LOCATING THE PIPING
The location of the leak cannot be determined until the location of the piping is determined. Using the transmitter, attach the lead to the piping system some distance away from the areas that you are trying to locate. The pipe locator is then used to find the location by picking up the signal that is being transmitted through the pipe. Mark the location approximately every sixes using a pencil or something else that is easily cleaned from the flooring when finished. Use of tape is ideal. Trace out all the piping in the general area that you suspect the leak to be in. When this is accomplished it is time to pinpoint the location of the leak.
LOCATING THE LEAK
This is the critical part of the entire process, finding the location, not guess the approximate location. In 85% of all leaks there should be no problem in doing so. Using the listening device, start at the point the line that is closest to where the leak is suspected to be. Listen along the marked path of the piping, using the mute button when moving the microphone. When a reading is established or a different sound level is heard, make sure the needle is not going to the top of the scale. If it is, then adjust the gain control downward until the highest reading is approximately in the midrange of the meter. At this point, move the microphone along the path of the piping in both directions and then back to the location the high reading was present. If the same reading or sound level is not present then this is a indication of a false reading which can happen due to many factors. Continue moving along the path of the piping until constant sound level and meter reading is present. If no above average levels are discovered then there are two possibilities. Once, the leak is in a different line of the piping system (if so the repeat the previous procedure until the leak is detected) or the second possibility is the sound level is not high enough to register it. It is always recommended to blow CO2 through the piping system as it will increase the sound level approximately 10 times. When CO2 is introduced to the system, it should be bled slowly so as not to damage any other piping or fixtures. The purpose is not to pressure the system but merely to create a louder sound vibration.
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