Have you got a slow leak in your central heating system?

A slow leak that exists in a central heating system is difficult to trace!

However, finding the location of a central heating leak without causing damage is our topic of expertise.

Tracing the source of central heating leak that is slowly leaking requires the use of non invasive equipment and specialist leak detection techniques.

Our plumbing and heating engineers have years of experience in tracing micro leaks on heating systems!

 

Slow heating leak

What could be the cause of a heating system leaking slowly?

If a Boiler is losing pressure slowly there is likely to be a leak on the central heating system.

There are many potential causes of a heating system leak:

  • Over pressurised heating (over 2 bar) will cause leaks as the heating pipes and components are not designed to withstand more than 2 bar of pressure.
  • Corrosion on pipes, fittings or radiators can cause water to slowly leak.
  • Automatic air vents valves can get stuck open, releasing air and water.
  • Hot water cylinders leak slowly from fittings, connections or cracks in the tank.
  • Radiator valves leak from the union nut or the spindle packing.
  • If your Expansion vessel is leaking you have a faulty expansion vessel.
  • The Heat Exchanger inside your boiler can crack causing a water leak.
 
Some heating leaks are simply too small to be able to detect but will still cause mould and mildew problems.
 

Is your Heating System Leak Big Enough to Be Detected Using Non-Invasive Technology?

To be able to find a heating leak using non-destructive technology there needs to be a traceable volume of water escaping from a pipe.

  • Tracer Gases have the highest probability of finding a slow central heating leak.
  • Acoustic leak detectors need a constant leak which creates a vibration or noise.
  • Thermal imaging cameras require the leak to be present during the leak detection investigation.
  • Moisture meters need the leak to be big enough make the area being searched damp.
  • Borescope cameras can be used to find visible small leaks in cavities, voids or other non accessible areas.
  • Pressure testing will prove if a leak exists or not, no matter how small the leak is.

Our central heating leak detection engineers carry a complete range of leak detection technology, giving us the highest possible chance of locating your leak.
 
The size of the leak and the material your heating pipes are in contact with affects how big a leaks needs to be in order to be detected.

What are your floors and sub floors made of on the downstairs of the property?

A leak on the first or second floor of your property will cause a damp or leaking ceiling.

The majority of central heating leaks we identify under the floor.

The material of your floor and sub floor affect the choice of leak detection equipment used to detect a leak.

Is your Subfloor solid or a void?

A central heating leak in a solid subfloor leak will cause damp. Damp will spread, creating a damp patch identifiable using thermal imaging or a moisture meter.

Tracer gases will rise through solid subfloor materials include concrete, screed and stone.

Acoustic listening devices are able to listen for the sound of escaping water or tracer gases through solid subfloor materials.

Leaks under suspended floors are more difficult to trace. Water leaks from the pipe, dripping into the void. Thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters and tracer gases and not effective for finding leaks under suspended floors. Acoustic listening discs are an effective method for detecting leaks in voids.

If you have concrete or screed floors: Only book a Leak Detection if your boiler is losing 1.5 bar of pressure in less than 24 hours.

If you have suspended floors: Only book a Leak Detection if your boiler is losing 1.5 bar of pressure in 12 hours or less.
 

We will ALWAYS do our best to help you but please understand that it will be much harder for us to find a leak that falls short of the above recommended pressure loss rates.

Leaks under flooring

The porosity of your flooring will also affect the ‘traceability’ of your leak. 

Porous floors allow moisture and tracer gases to penetrate, while non-porous floors do not.

Non-porus flooring or subfloor materials include:

  • Celotex insulation
  • Damp proof membrane
  • Vinyl
 

Call ADI Leak Detection To Help Detect Slow Heating Leaks

 We have heating leak detection engineers located Nationwide –  you can be sure we are here to find and fix your water leak!

Our helpful customer service team awaits your call and are ready to offer help and advice now…

ADI Leak Detection Customer Service Team

Adrian Morgan

Adrian Morgan CIPHE RP RHP is the founder & Managing Director of ADI Pro Leak Ltd. Adrian is also the Head Plumbing, Heating & Leak Detection engineer at ADI Leak Detection.

Adrian CIPHE RP RHP is proud to be registered with the Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering, a Registered Plumber and a Registered Heating Professional.