Water Mains Leak Detection in Bolton upon Dearne

Symptoms

The scale of the leak was serious enough that pressure testing the system proved difficult — the loss rate was simply too high to hold pressure. With a care home environment to consider, identifying and resolving the leak quickly was essential.

An internal leak detection was required to map the pipework, locate the source, and establish the extent of the damage.

Methods Used

With pressure testing unable to isolate the source, acoustic equipment was deployed. Acoustic evidence was picked up at the front of the dishwasher, confirming that location as the primary leak point.

The internal leak detection process then moved into the repair phase, with floor coverings removed to expose the pipework and confirm the findings on the ground.

Investigation Process

1. 1
   Initial Assessment

   The property was assessed and the water meter confirmed to be spinning rapidly. The kitchen floor was visibly wet, indicating an active and significant internal cold water leak.

2. 2
   Thermal Imaging Survey

   Thermal imaging was carried out across the kitchen floor to map the cold water pipework. Two cold pipes were identified: one in front of the dishwasher and one next to the fridge freezer.

3. 3
   Pressure Test Attempted

   A pressure test was attempted on the cold water pipework, but the leak was too large to allow pressure to build or hold, making isolation by this method alone impossible.

4. 4
   Acoustic Investigation

   Acoustic equipment was used across the suspect areas identified by thermal imaging. A clear acoustic signal was detected at the front of the dishwasher, confirming this as a leak location.

5. 5
   Floor Opened — First Leak

   The vinyl floor covering was removed, revealing a fully saturated subfloor. The copper pipe beneath the floor at the front of the dishwasher was found to be leaking and was repaired.

6. 6
   Second Leak Identified

   After the first repair, pressure testing still could not be held, confirming a second leak at the location beside the fridge freezer identified by thermal imaging. This leak was traced to a faulty fitting.

7. 7
   Second Repair Carried Out

   The faulty fitting next to the fridge freezer was replaced. The pipe in that section was also replaced and the full pipework system was retested and confirmed holding pressure.

8. 8
   Dishwasher Disconnected

   The dishwasher was found to have damaged pipework consistent with rodent activity — mouse or rat damage was identified — and was disconnected as a result.

Result & Outcome

Going forward, it is recommended that the internal stopcock be replaced and a pressure reduction valve be installed on the cold water supply, as high water pressure is considered a contributing factor to the damage. The kitchen floor will need to be fully replaced due to the extent of water damage sustained. This internal leak detection job highlights how a single undetected pipe failure in a high-pressure system can cause cascading damage across a large commercial property.