The most common method for obvious leaks bubbling from the soil or dampening an area is to dig it up with a shovel or tractor. Not the best initial approach when the water is coming from concrete, asphalt or from a sloped area. Water travels the path of least resistance, therefore, cracks, expansions joints or old trench lines can leave you chasing a leak. Many situations require the replacement of a section or the rerouting of the line. Ultrasonic leak detection is the use of a listening device to amplify the sound of water or air escaping from a pipe, valve or fitting.

Basically there is a head set, an amplifier and a mini-subwoofer that picks up the sound. The success of this type of leak detection is based on soil conditions, depth of the pipe and piping material (plastic pipe such as polybutylene or PVC muffles the sound of a leak versus a metallic material such as copper which carries sound). Ultrasonic leak detection can be impossible or very costly if the route of the underground line is unknown.  Using listening equipment is as much an art as it is a science, and required a well-trained experienced technician. We have been using electronic equipment for 15 years to isolate and locate leaks in underground water piping.

We regularly work with homeowners, property managers, building engineers, engineers, and attorneys to investigate and document plumbing problems.