Leak detection is what we do when you have a leak that you may not be able to see or isolate. It usually comes from the internal pipe work in your walls or underground that may have collapsed or broken.
You will know if you have a leak if you have an unusually high water bill, the water metre is ticking over when there is no water being used on the property, you can see water bubbling in an odd place or maybe there's a damp spot on the lawn.
What most people do not realise is that just because you can see the water leak does not mean that is where it is – the leaking pipe can actually be a metre or 2 away causing unnecessary digging and holes in your yard but the water has just tracked to the lowest point.
To isolate where the leak is coming from we use a non-invasive high frequency listening device to listen, locate and isolate where the leak is. A leak detector is made up from parts including headphones, a LCD screen, and a microphone on a rope or a stick. To start to find the leak you walk around with the microphone and listen.
The plumber attaches an air compressor to the pipe and listens for the air that is escaping, when it is at its loudest that's generally where the hole in the pipe is.
The leak detector works by translating the sound of the leak that cannot usually be heard by humans, to a lower frequency, meaning that when the head phones are on, you can hear the noise getting louder if you are closer to it, or quieter the further you are away.
Once the plumber has found where the leak could be coming from, they would then suggest to expose the leak. Doing this shows how bad the leak is and then you can work out how to repair and the cost of it.
The benefit of leak detection is that it is non-invasive, saving you time and money.
Firstly, ensure no water is being used inside or outside of your house. Turn off all taps, dishwasher, washer machine, lawn sprinkler, etc.
Locate your water meter and check the leak indicator to see if it is moving. If it is - you obviously have a leak somewhere on the property.
You can also take a meter reading - then wait 1 or 2 hours and take another meter reading. (Again make sure no water is being used during this time). If the meter has moved - then you have a leak.
Jetset Plumbing can detect your leak using specific leak detection methods and also carry out any repairs that may be required.