How to Test for Underground Leaks

9/8/2017

We have a project on a corporate campus that has a large and old (approximately 1940's) water main loop that serves multiple buildings' sprinkler systems. There has been a rupture within the past three years, and the owner is wondering what methods exist to test whether the pipes are leaking and how significant the leakage is. Any ideas?

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2 Comments

9/12/2017 09:24:36 am

Start with a flow test at every hydrant. Study the results to see where there are any abnormal flows or pressures and then take it from there.

Joe Meyer link

10/3/2017 08:09:31 am

There's leakage detection companies that specialize in this, and they'd probably be able to better answer. From what I understand, the best option is to meter isolated lines to determine the water movement over time (leakage will be continuous, while testing and refilling systems will be a shorter duration demand).

If leakage is determined to exist, there are multiple forms of sound recording equipment that can determine leakage locations by the sound of water movement.

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