24 FEATURES
Modern leak detection
By
Tanya Olckers
There is no argument that leak detection can be seen as a specialised field . It is useful for both assisting the plumber in doing a thorough job , and providing added income for them when they add leak detection to the services they provide .
Many plumbers have added leak detection and repair to the services that they offer . Leak detection is a specialised field and that means specialised training , which must be undertaken with an accredited facilitator in order to perform leak detection professionally . This means that the technician or operator must be deemed a “ competent person ” as defined by the South African National Standards .
Because it is so specialised , there are practitioners who decide to make it the sole focus of their business . This means that they have a single area of work to dedicate themselves to , and what they do becomes a lot more concentrated – with some choosing to focus solely on leaks . Leak detection is highly specialised , and if a business makes it their single focus , then what they do is more concentrated .
Larger plumbing concerns usually have a dedicated leak detection team . Usually , the leak detection team will go out and do their tests and once the leak is found , the repair team is dispatched to carry out any necessary repairs .
One of the biggest reasons leaks occur is because of inferior pipes . Class 2 copper pipes may cost more at the end of the day , but they are the wiser choice as they tend to last longer . It is vital – and lawful – to make use of copper pipes and other materials approved by SANS .
Another big reason for leaks is shoddy workmanship . Some operators may give a quote for class 2 copper pipes , but instead install class 0 . When the water is turned back on , the pipes vibrate which loosens scale build up , puts stress on old joints and changes pressure on valves . A constant pressure is needed . This makes the network more fragile and causes failure to happen faster . Some may see this as a way to make a quick buck , however , part of quality customer services means acting with honesty and integrity .
Fixing a leak really comes down to the type of client one is doing the job for . Is it a single house on a single property ? Is it perhaps part of a network of pipes in a housing complex or office park ? Or are you looking for a leak in an area of a city on a large-scale pipe network ? As with all things , there are the right tools for the right job , and this is no different when it comes to leak detection . In this case , the scale of the network will determine the equipment and methods used .
Most will be familiar with the acoustic and gas methods that are used in tandem when it comes to , most often , domestic leak detection . They form part of the first two phases of leak detection .
© Tanya Olckers | Plumbing Africa
Ethan Anderson and Paul Koekemoer from SA Leak Detection Distributors show off instruments used in acoustic testing .
How does leak detection work ? There are five stages to assessing leaks : 1 . Visuals The very first leak detection instrument comes built-in for every plumber : their eyes . A visual assessment is the simple beginning of the leak detection process . Look at the area where the leak is suspected and the area around it for wet spots , damp or mould . Climb up into the roof and look to see if there is any water or wet spots . The water meter also needs to be looked at , and if there is a significant rise in water costs over a period , it can indicate a leak on the property . Most often , you will hear your client complain about a sudden increase in their water bill .
2 . Acoustic and gas testing Back in the day , a long steel listening rod was used to detect leak sounds . Acoustic detection is designed to find the leak by locating it through the sound that the leak makes as the liquid or gas escapes from the breach in a pressurised pipe . Today
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