Central Heating Leak Detection in Amesbury

Symptoms

The absence of visible water made this a difficult problem to diagnose without specialist equipment. High damp readings in the wall pointed toward a concealed leak, most likely within the heating pipework running beneath the floor.

Central heating leak detection was required to establish the exact source and extent of the issue before any remedial work could be planned.

Methods Used

This methodical approach — damp meter first to identify the affected zone, tracer gas to locate the precise point — is standard practice in central heating leak detection where pipes are buried beneath solid floors. Once the location was confirmed and the customer gave permission to proceed, the flooring was excavated and the fault was exposed.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   Initial damp meter survey

   The hallway wall near the bathroom was surveyed with a damp meter, returning high readings. No visible water was present.

2. 2
   Floor damp reading identified

   The carpet in the hallway was lifted and a damp reading was located in the middle of the floor, indicating a leak beneath the solid floor surface.

3. 3
   Tracer gas introduced

   Tracer gas was installed into the heating system and a gas reading was detected at the end of the hallway, pinpointing the leak location.

4. 4
   Customer informed and permission granted

   The findings were communicated to the customer, who gave permission to excavate the flooring.

5. 5
   Excavation and leak found

   The floor was dug down and the leak was found on a copper tee junction within the heating pipework.

6. 6
   Repair carried out

   The faulty junction was repaired using six press-fit fittings and copper pipe.

7. 7
   Pressure test passed

   The heating system was pressure tested following the repair and held pressure, confirming no further leaks on the system.

8. 8
   System recommissioned

   The heating system was filled, brought up to temperature, and all radiators confirmed hot and working before the engineer left site.

9. 9
   Drying advice given

   The engineer advised leaving the carpet up to allow the concrete floor to dry out; the customer agreed to follow this recommendation.

Result & Outcome

The concrete floor was left exposed on the customer's agreement to allow it to dry before the carpet is relaid. No further leaks were indicated on the system at the time of completion.