Hydrostatic testing is a fancy way to say leak detection. Hydrostatic testing involves filling pipes or plumbing with water – usually dyed – and forcing it through at the required end-pressure needed. Dyes are mixed into the water for ease of visibility. This assures that the pipeline; plumbing pipe or gas line is fit for proper transport of the required product.
Master plumbers such as those at Santhoff Plumbing Company, Houston’s favorite plumbing service company, are masters of hydrostatic testing. If you are remodeling a kitchen or adding an outdoor kitchen, having a master plumber perform hydrostatic testing can provide the peace of mind you deserve.
Under Slab Hydrostatic Testing
Leaks in the plumbing of a Houston home or building can add significant costs to your water bill. A Houston plumber can use a variety of tests to pinpoint the location of a leak to fix the problem. The exact test that will be used is determined by the type of building and the issues that are being experienced in relation to the leak. Under slab hydrostatic testing is one option that the Santhoff plumbing company utilizes to discover and locate leaks.
How Under Slab Hydrostatic Testing Works
The under slab hydrostatic testing process starts with an overall test of the plumbing in question. A toilet on the first floor of a commercial building will be removed in order for this test to be performed. This allows for a monitor to be placed in the plumbing to capture results. The drain line in the plumbing is then intentionally blocked with an inflatable ball for a period of 20 minutes.
The water level is monitored during this period. A drop in the water level indicates one or more leaks in the system. A steady water level indicates that there is no leak present. The ball that blocks the drain line in a single family home must be placed outside of the house for the test to be accurate. It is recommended that the sewer cleanout be used for the purpose of conducting this test.
An additional step must be taken if the water level test indicates a leakage is present. The isolation test is used to pinpoint the location of all leaks in the plumbing. This test is similar to the initial test, but separate areas will be tested individually to find the location of leaks. All of the toilets located on the first floor of the building must be removed in order for this test to be completed.
One or more inflatable balls are placed in the system to find leaks. The water level is tested on each line to determine which area is experiencing problems. A map is then drafted based on the results of this test, and the plumber is able to determine the extent of repairs that must be made to fix all leaks in the system. An estimate is provided at this time.
All toilets that are removed at any point during the test are replaced and sealed at the conclusion of the testing process.
Trust the Experts at Santhoff Plumbing Company
A Houston residential plumber is able to provide a full range of plumbing services including under slab hydrostatic testing. Santhoff Plumbing Company has been providing plumbing services in the Houston area for over 40 years. Our experienced professionals use the best equipment available to perform all plumbing services including water heater repair. Contact the residential and commercial plumberexperts at Santhoff Plumbing Company for immediate help with all of your plumbing needs.