Finding a leak can be difficult, especially if it is under or behind concrete slabs. There is no one way to run piping through a home. You will need to consider the position of your rooms as well as utilities such wash basins, toilets and laundry areas.
It is also possible for underfloor heating to affect the location of pipes. To locate a leak, you should not tear up your floor.
Identifying a leak
There are a few signs that can help you identify a leak before searching for its source. Two of the most obvious signs of a leak are low water pressure or tap dripping. If you hear strange noises coming out of your piping, it could be a sign that your plumbing is having problems. You should conduct a basic check if you notice any of these signs in your home.
Turn off any appliances that are dependent on hot water sources, such heaters or air conditioning units. Next, you should check that your water meter is working.
Take a note of the number on your water meter. Ensure that it does not change in less than ten minutes when there is no water supply. If you fail any of these tests, it’s most likely that your plumbing is leaky.
Locating Pipes
Once you have confirmed that there is a leak it’s time for you to locate the source. You will need specialist tools to help you locate the slab. A pipe locator uses a variety of methods to locate metal pipes. It uses a signal that is measured in kHz, Hz.
This device can be used to locate pipes beneath slab and advanced models can differentiate between types of piping.
If plastic piping was used to construct your water lines, then an Acoustic Pipe Locator is employed. Understanding how pipe detectors operate is crucial if you want to do the investigation yourself. A costly tool that isn’t useful for the job is a poor investment.
You can save a lot of hassle and time by understanding the type of pipe used in your home’s construction.
Leak Correlators
You can also use correlators to find a leak. To determine the exact location of a leak, you will need to examine the piping underneath the slab. This tool requires microphones, which will send a noise signal if there’s a leak within the test area.
It is possible to hire professionals if you are not comfortable with unfamiliar technology.