Radiant slab leak
I have a radiant zone leak in a extremely high-end, multi-million dollar house. I have isolated 2 loops off of a 4 loop manifold that are losing pressure. It is a basement zone and the tubes go under a high dollar wood floor and a tiled bathroom. The zone is very cold now that I have isolated half of its loops and the customer wants it fixed.
I was hoping for some sugggestions on how to pinpoint a leak like this with minimal flooring demolition...any suggestions would help. Thanks!!!!
2 ideas.
1. Get the 2 zones bled, if they're not leaking bad, use an infared gun to check. As it's heating up, you should be able to follow the tubing by temperature. Where it's leaking, you'll find heat 'puddles'. Unless it's really leaking then you'll find real ones.
2. For the hardwood, disconnect the 2 loops, supply/return from the manifold. Using some fittings so you can pressurize them with tio hold air. Listen for the leak.
3. For the tile, I would use 'step 1'.
Another option would be to check with the supply house where you purchased the tubing. I've heard/read there is an electronic listening device that will pinpoint the leaks. Hopefully someone else will chime in with more info or a link.
BTW, was the system pressurized and checked during tile/hardwood installation and never lost pressure?
steve
leak
I didn't install the system, but I know the company that did had a habbit of not gettting air on their systems...(they are out of business now). I was hoping to hear ideas on the ultrasonic device as well. We hired a guy years ago to pinpoint leaks in a batch of bac pex fittings one time...it worked good through sheetrock...just not sure about a slab. I have pressured the two leaky loops and cant hear where the leak is with my ears...
Leak detection
Finding a qualified IR camera operator will usually find the leak. The IR camera usually works without having to remove the flooring or tile. Of course you will have to pull the flooring to repair the leak(s).
The cost of the home has nothing to do with poor workmanship. It's very common to see crappy work in high-end homes. Builders seem to think they're getting a bargain by using budget subs.
Helium
I pressurize the identified loop with 5psi of helium from a $40.00/Day rented party store helium tank, and then use a rented $90.00/Day helium sniffer,and can usually pinpoint the leak within 2 square feet. I've found leaks in snow melt, in slab, and in-joist, all with various surface coverings. If you exhaust the helium tank very rapidly, it's a very big hole in the pipe!
