What is Commercial Leak Detection?
GPRS SIM-certified Project Managers are experts in applying multiple technologies to achieve a comprehensive site inspection.
(This is excerpted from a feature article at gprsinc.com. You can read the full article, here.)
GPRS Leak Detection Services provide an accurate, non-destructive solution to leaks that cause trillions of gallons of water loss every year in America. Our SIM-certified Project Managers utilize complementary technologies to pinpoint the location of underground leaks.
GPRS is one of the nation’s leading leak detection providers for a wide range of industries and property types, including commercial leak detection.
What is Commercial Leak Detection?
High water usage across bathrooms, kitchens, fire suppression systems, and extensive industrial water systems put commercial businesses at risk for leaks.
Commercial properties (commercial real estate) represent income-generating properties like office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and industrial buildings or facilities.
For all those commercial properties to operate and generate revenue, key infrastructure must be in place, including complex plumbing systems.
Their water infrastructure often has many sources of water, which can make leak detection difficult and complicated. Leak detection specialists require specific technologies and expertise to non-destructively locate leaks in commercial properties.
A single leak on a commercial property could lead to thousands of gallons of water lost daily, so it’s important to understand the types of leaks, what causes them, and how to prevent them.
A leaking fire suppression system can compromise safety, increase maintenance costs, and lead to potential code violations.
Commercial properties (commercial real estate) represent income-generating properties like office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, and industrial buildings or facilities.
For all those commercial properties to operate and generate revenue, key infrastructure must be in place, including complex plumbing systems.
Their water infrastructure often has many sources of water, which can make leak detection difficult and complicated. Leak detection specialists require specific technologies and expertise to non-destructively locate leaks in commercial properties.
A single leak on a commercial property could lead to thousands of gallons of water lost daily, so it’s important to understand the types of leaks, what causes them, and how to prevent them.
Signs of a Commercial Leak
Non-revenue water loss has become a silent crisis in America, because it’s not easy to identify. While dripping, surface water puddles, and audible sounds like hissing are signs of leaks, the signs aren’t always that clear.
Unexplained spikes in water bills could represent a leak. Spikes could represent water overuse, however, there are some occasions that are so drastic a leak could be the only reason.
Another sign of a leak is a sudden drop in water pressure. If a customer goes to wash their hands and the sink turns on at a lesser force than usual, there may be a leak. Water can also be essential in industrial facilities for cooling, cleaning or other manufacturing steps. This can significantly affect daily operations, leading to more lost time and money.
Cracks on nearby pavement or the building’s foundation can also be signs of a leak. Underground leaks can alter the soil beneath concrete or asphalt, causing voids or pockets to form underground. These voids can lead to unstable or cracked surfaces. Water leaks can also cause metal rebar beneath concrete to corrode or expand, which will lead to cracks on the surface of the concrete. This is sometimes referred to as “concrete cancer,” because of its unseen nature. By the time obvious cracks, pitting, and crumbling appear, the interior structural integrity is in jeopardy.
Lastly, mold and mildew growth can be signs of a leak. Materials like wood, drywall, and insulation absorb moisture very quickly. Damp surfaces are a prime spot for mold spores to latch onto and begin to grow. The mold can grow and spread in environments like this, so it’s important to catch signs of mold early, especially in commercial environments where many people could be at risk of mold exposure.
These common signs are a reminder of the importance of regular water and wastewater infrastructure maintenance and inspections. Without the proper due diligence, your money could be going down the drain along with every drop of wasted water.
Schedule your WSDAW safety presentation here to take back control of your water and wastewater infrastructure.
GPRS Leak Detection Equipment
The main tools utilized by GPRS Leak Detection Project Managers include acoustic leak detectors and leak noise correlators.
Acoustic Leak Detectors
Acoustic leak detectors locate leaks with a sensitive ground microphone or an acoustic listening device. The device is either used at the surface level or dropped into a manhole. Acoustic leak detection equipment typically consists of a microphone, noise-cancelling headphones, and an electric monitor. Project Managers can add an “elephant foot,” a bell-shaped acoustic shield, around the mic to isolate outside noises and amplify the leak tones.
It takes very well-trained ears to identify the sounds of leaks. Other factors like ambient noise from active water flow and traffic driving over street-level pipes must also be identified. By understanding every sound the pipes are making, the Project Manager can properly pinpoint the location of the leak or leaks.
Leak Noise Correlators
Leak noise correlators, also called leak detection correlators, use sensors placed on both sides of a pipe that send information back through radio waves. The processing unit compares the data with algorithms designed for certain noise profiles, which determines the exact location of any leaks.
Project Managers can use leak noise correlators and acoustic leak detectors in tandem to provide clients with the most accurate location of their leaking pipes.
As previously mentioned, both acoustic leak detectors and leak noise correlators can also be used with utility locating equipment, like electromagnetic (EM) locators and ground penetrating radar (GPR). By using them with leak detection technology, GPRS Project Managers can mark exactly where the leak is located on the ground and ensure the leak can be fixed without striking other utilities.
Schedule your free Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week presentation from GPRS, here.