Water pipes along with plumbing fittings and fixtures are significant sources of leaks in . While dripping faucets and similar leaks are obvious, those that occur underground may go unnoticed until there’s a serious problem. In these cases, pinpointing exactly where the leak is coming from can be difficult. Fortunately, professional plumbers can combine various methods of leak detection services and prepare for repairs.
The Importance of Water Leak Detection
It’s important to detect the location of leaks and repair them as soon as possible in order to conserve water, protect your property, and prevent unhealthy living conditions. In fact, the average household wastes nearly 10,000 gallons of water each year because of leaks. About 10% of homes have leaks that waste at least 90 gallons of water per day. By identifying and repairing a leak quickly, you save money on your water bill.
Using Water Pressure Monitoring
When there’s a leak in a water pipeline, it changes the hydraulics. Therefore, flow and pressure also begin to change. By monitoring the water pressure at one point in the pipeline, plumbers can detect the location of the leak. Pressure testing also doesn’t require recording and transmitting any readings.
Using Cameras and Infrared Imaging
When pressure testing isn’t successful, plumbers can use closed-circuit cameras to record interior water pipe conditions. They can see the images on a monitor to identify leaks without having to excavate the pipes. Cameras are also useful during routine maintenance to determine if water pipes need repairs before a burst occurs.
Aside from closed-circuit cameras, infrared cameras produce images that detect changes in temperature. Because of that, plumbers can use infrared imaging to identify a plume near a pipeline where a leak has occurred. There’s no excavation with this method either.
Do you think that there’s a leak in your water pipeline but can’t locate it yourself? The safest solution is to hire a professional plumbing service. You can visit HRI Plumbing’s leak detection and plumbing services page, or call (217) 334-4545 to learn more.
