Hot Water System Leak Detection in Nottingham

Symptoms

This was a hot water leak detection job with an added layer of complexity: part of the hot water pipework had been capped off — most likely as a temporary measure by the previous plumber — meaning the system could not be tested as a single circuit. Any leak in the capped section would have been masked if testing had not been extended to cover it separately.

The customer's concern proved to be well founded.

Methods Used

With the leak confirmed in that section, tracer gas was introduced into the pipework and acoustic testing equipment was deployed to pinpoint its exact position. This combination of methods — standard in hot water leak detection where the leak source is not visually obvious — directed the engineer beneath the bath, where an open-ended pipe was found.

Once the repair was completed, the entire property's plumbing was re-pressure tested at 2 bar to verify that no further leaks remained.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   System isolated and drained

   The cold water supply was isolated using the internal stop tap in the bathroom. The system was then drained to allow pressure testing equipment to be connected.

2. 2
   Main hot water circuit tested

   The accessible hot water pipework was pressure tested first. No pressure drop was detected, indicating that portion of the system was intact.

3. 3
   Capped pipe identified and tested separately

   It was noted that part of the hot water supply had been capped off. This section was connected to the testing equipment independently and was unable to hold any pressure, confirming a leak within it.

4. 4
   Tracer gas and acoustic testing deployed

   Tracer gas was introduced into the failing pipe run and acoustic equipment was used to trace the leak. Both methods directed the engineer to beneath the bath.

5. 5
   Open-ended pipe located beneath bath

   An open-ended pipe was found beneath the bath — the source of the leak. This was repaired on site.

6. 6
   Full system re-tested at 2 bar

   Following the repair, the entire property's plumbing system was pressure tested at 2 bar. No pressure drop was observed, confirming the leak had been resolved.

Result & Outcome

Following the repair, the full plumbing system across the property was re-pressure tested at 2 bar with no subsequent pressure drop, providing confirmation that no further leaks are present. The engineer also noted visible silicone leakage around the bath and has recommended that the customer arrange for the bath to be re-sealed by a suitable professional. That observation is unrelated to the pipe leak but is worth addressing to prevent water ingress over time.