Best hot/cold water pipe leak detection?
Can you recommend a really precise water pressure leak detection device? Even with a pressure reducer in the water line I worry there could be very minor leaks that could cause unseen damage later an...
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My non-scientific test at the start of a season consists of hooking up my air compressor and listening to the check valve in the city water connection. It happens to make a sort of reed tone when air flows through it, even relatively small volumes of air. If there's a tap that's cracked open a bit you can hear it humming away. No noise when everything is shut implies that there is at least not a major leak in the plumbing system.
I don't pretend that this would detect a leak of a drop every now and again sort of magnitude. Probably a leak-down test with air would go a ways towards checking for that: pressurize the system with air, disconnect the compressor, and check that the air pressure remains after some period of time. A pressure gauge would be more precise, of course.
I do find my water heater drain plug tends to leak a bit of air even if it doesn't leak an appreciable amount of water. Even a small water leak there is not a concern to the longevity of the RV since it just drains harmlessly outdoors (and since I intentionally "leak" a few gallons of water out of it whenever I drain the plumbing system).
I don't pretend that this would detect a leak of a drop every now and again sort of magnitude. Probably a leak-down test with air would go a ways towards checking for that: pressurize the system with air, disconnect the compressor, and check that the air pressure remains after some period of time. A pressure gauge would be more precise, of course.
I do find my water heater drain plug tends to leak a bit of air even if it doesn't leak an appreciable amount of water. Even a small water leak there is not a concern to the longevity of the RV since it just drains harmlessly outdoors (and since I intentionally "leak" a few gallons of water out of it whenever I drain the plumbing system).
