Underground Water Leaks
Underground Water Leaks
(OP)
I have a client who is losing water and the meter shows it when the house is turned off - 1" meter still runs.
If the leak does not show itself at the surface, is there any common way to find the leak, short of digging up the whole line and replacing it? Don't want to do that as the trench would be over 1000 feet long. This line was installed in the mid 80's so and there are no drawings, so even the horizontal location of the line is floating out there.
If the leak does not show itself at the surface, is there any common way to find the leak, short of digging up the whole line and replacing it? Don't want to do that as the trench would be over 1000 feet long. This line was installed in the mid 80's so and there are no drawings, so even the horizontal location of the line is floating out there.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)





RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Infrared checks temperature differentials, so would be limited in depth. Works well for hot water but probably not so good for cold water.
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Most plumbers are clever in finding leaks. I agree that the ultrasound is the first thing to try.
RE: Underground Water Leaks
http://www.uesystems.com/new/wp-content/uploads/20...
You should look closely for green vegetation spots or wet spots.
The ultrasound may be expensive. If so, it may be more cost effective to bite the bullet and just replace the entire water line.
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Of it's iron or steel try this with a freeze block. If you can't get a freeze then the leak is past the place where you are, if you can even though there is flow, then see above.
Of course you still need to know where the line is so trace it using a detector for steel or divining rods for plastic.
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Underground Water Leaks
I'd try this. Shut off the line both ends and attach an industrial air compressor to it with increasing air pressure, gradually. Perhaps along with listening devices, as mentioned above. Shut off compressor and use the tank for a few minuted of high pressure, no noise then.
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Underground Water Leaks
But use acetylene and walk the line with an open flame. When you blow up, you have found the leak.
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
That's what I do and most people look at me as if I'm about to cast a spell over them when I get my bits of bent wire out.
they do tend to find false positives some time, but have located plastic pipes and FO cables not picked up by the CAT scanners.
Plus of course it doesn't need batteries and is inherently intrinsically safe!
My motto: Learn something new every day
Also: There's usually a good reason why everyone does it that way
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvTwPi0mX4s
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Underground Water Leaks
http://www.subsurfaceleak.com/ld12_prod_pg.html
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.
WWW.amlinereast.com
RE: Underground Water Leaks
RE: Underground Water Leaks
Like I mentioned, the insertion flow meters are quite expensive but I do know of some water companies that invest in them. This way, you might not have to dig up the whole line and only certain points at intervals.