Thread: Water Leak Detector?

I recently replaced an old automatic pump for my artesian well with a new one, different brand BTW, as the old one had started turning itself off and on and driving me nuts. This one's doing the same thing. Multiple plumbers have checked for leaks, which should be easy to find as the plumbing system very basic and mostly constructed outside the house.

I've asked latest plumber to come round and move the pump switch inside the house to enable me to turn it off when not absolutely necessary, which IS a major PITA. Surely there's some gadget plumbers use for water leak detection without having to tear a house apart/down? Anyone know of such a gadget/any other method (tried everything I can think of so far, including checking sneaky lavatory cisterns, but nada :/). Anyone? Thanks.

I had a friend who had the same problem, the rats had eaten into the pipes under the floor and he had to break holes in his floors to isolate areas to determine where the leak was and replace the pipes, a real PIA?

I dare say you've already checked but are you sure it's not a pressure switch plobrem?

how about the foot valve?

I've just spoken with the plumber and asked him all the above. He says he's checked everything and that it must be a leak inside a wall in one of the bathrooms to the side of the house as when the separate valve to the kitchen is turned off, there's no problem. I did point out none of the walls were damp and I'd've thought the tiles would be dropping off by now, he replied the water was probably draining into the ground. I believe him, he's one of the rare as hen's teeth good workers. So must assume the 'eaten by rats' or just plain deterioration theory. I also asked him about a 'Leak Detector' - a sonar device, he knows about them but says they're very difficult to find here and frankly, prohibitively expensive. So, he's installing the switch as I type. Ah well. Will just have to turn the valve to the bathrooms on when necessary as it would indeed be a PITA to have him rip all the tiling off, replace them, and then still hear the bloody thing turning itself off and on again. Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.

Originally Posted by tamsin

when the separate valve to the kitchen is turned off, there's no problem.

From that you draw the conclusion that the leak is in one of the bathrooms?
I'd say the leak is in the kitchen but I'm not a plumber so what do I know..

I'd say so too! Maybe its just the way its written, but if the problem stops when the water to the kitchen's turned off, that's where the problem is.

Never heard of rats eating water pipes. More likely two-legged rats didn't glue the pipes carefully.

I had exactly the same problem and had to break some concret to isolate the leak. Water was just draining into the ground - no visible damp patches. Pure luck finding it. Good luck.

Originally Posted by JohnG

I'd say so too! Maybe its just the way its written, but if the problem stops when the water to the kitchen's turned off, that's where the problem is.

Never heard of rats eating water pipes. More likely two-legged rats didn't glue the pipes carefully.

I had exactly the same problem and had to break some concret to isolate the leak. Water was just draining into the ground - no visible damp patches. Pure luck finding it. Good luck.

Rats love chewing plastic pipes and electrical cables.

First off carefully check any flush toilets for ‘running’.
If there is a hidden leak then simplest and least expensive solution is to abandon piping and run new. Happened to me when water turned on for downstairs bathroom. Major leak under tiled floor….just ran new pipes. ..had to cut away and replace a few tiles on periphery.

Check the ball valve in the toilet, even a small leak that is hardly noticeable will cause your pump to switch of and on

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Rats love chewing plastic pipes and electrical cables.

That's true. I found that out when renovating my bus wiring.

Such a same situation has happend at my house back in Toronto where in I was somewhat confused with the issue of what has to be done in the issue of the water being leaked through the gadget. I had consulted with my family where in one of my relative had helped me by suggesting that there is a commercial plumbing and mechanical services in Canada. If u stay in Canada, you can also approach them through Professional Plumbing Services in Toronto | Green City Plumber. Hope they can help u too

Dessicated Co-co-nutz

A seasonal tip to keep the wife high and dry if planning on getting bladdered do what all Willys do wear a nappy

Originally Posted by david44

Dessicated Co-co-nutz

A seasonal tip to keep the wife high and dry if planning on getting bladdered do what all Willys do wear a nappy

Helpful as always . How irrelevant, inane and boring you are,

you may be able to use a soil moisture detector to approximate where the leak is. They are relatively cheap on EBay.
Just measure the soil progressively around your outside walls and you may find it especially if the outside soil is relatively dry and the leak is a reasonable size. Get one with a long probe.
If it doesn't work at least you'll know when to water the plants.

A water leak detector and underground water leak detector both are helpful for locating water Leak Detection. Locate water leaks under concrete slabs, in walls, swimming pools or hot tubs and get all on mark.