Leak Detection: The Methods of Detecting Water Leaks

This article explains leak detection. It cites several methods used to monitor and detect leaks in both underground and above ground pipes.

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Leak detection is necessary in order to prevent or avoid costly repairs to the building or the structure. Pipes in a home or building are usually used to bring in and out all forms of liquids and gases which are used for the proper function of the house or the offices in the building. While this is a very efficient method, this can be undermined when either liquid or gas escapes from the pipes through a hole or a crack. Gas can be dangerous when it escapes but water can be very destructive as well. Water damage can stem from leakage that has been around for years but has not been detected because of the small amount that it releases. Wood, concrete and certain metals will corrode or rot with constant exposure to liquids of this nature. This situation can make the house or building unstable if the insides are constantly leaked on by water. Sooner or later, something has to give and the flooring might give way. Leakage found underground or between slabs can also be problematic because these can undermine the stability of the ground or concrete they are found in.

Techniques

The methodology in leak detection is basically in how observant a person is in his surroundings. Almost all of the senses that our body can be used to search for and detect anomalies in the piping of the house, building or any other structure. One method of leak detection is to check out the state of the wood of the house or office. Visual inspection is the usually way to do it with matching tapping when a suspected area is found. The eyes can pick out uneven patterns n wooden walls or ceiling which may indicate there is seepage near it. White or light colored walls and ceilings are better at showing seepage or leakage. Leakage in underground pipes may be more difficult to detect because the soil can absorb much of the liquid. In cases of a strong leak, the area may constantly be wet even if there was no rain. This should alert the homeowner to something wrong in the pipes. A hissing sound can also indicate leaks in the pipes. Pipes found aboveground may make this kind of sound due to the pressure that they are subjected to. Those found underground are not likely to make the hissing sound while those underwater may be detected due to a whirlpool effect that the escaping liquid or gas may make. Gas leaks can cause bubbles while liquids leaks may not, depending on the presence of air in the pipes. Another leak detection method is to feel around areas which may not be seen readily, such as those behind a water closet, a wall or those that have obstructions.

One indication of leakage is the decrease of the pressure from the pipes and, possiblyFeature Articles, the increase of the billing for the water or the gas. This just goes to show how important it is to attend to the seepage as soon as possible.

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