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Hi,
I have done some copper pipework for the flow and returns runs for my central heating system. The overhead runs are 22mm and I drop-down in 10mm microbore to each of 5 radiators. The 22mm run is about 20m long and the first 10mm connection is about 15m along.
First I air pressure tested the return pipework which held 4 bar for over an hour. Then I air tested the flow pipework which looked like it was losing a small amout of pressure over quite a long time. So I left this on over night and found that the pressure dropped to 3 bar after a 10 hours. Then to try and find the leak I did an 8 bar water pressure test. Water was pumped into the high point of the pipework until there was a flow at the first radiator exit point which I then fitted with a push fit cap. Did the same for all remaining 10mm exit points. Finally pumped the water pressure to 8 bar and left overnight. In a period of about 20 hours the pressure dropped to 7 bar. Looked through all the pipework but could not find and sign of a leaking joint.
As a point of interest as I relieved the water pressure from 7 bar to 6 bar I noted how much water was released which was significant. Since I found no water leaking it must have been air escaping.
Can anyone suggest how I would go about finding this leak either with an air or water test? Is there a way to fill the pipework without it containing any air?
There is nothing in the system except the pipework, that is, it is not connected to the combi or any radiators etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
FarmerJo
I have done some copper pipework for the flow and returns runs for my central heating system. The overhead runs are 22mm and I drop-down in 10mm microbore to each of 5 radiators. The 22mm run is about 20m long and the first 10mm connection is about 15m along.
First I air pressure tested the return pipework which held 4 bar for over an hour. Then I air tested the flow pipework which looked like it was losing a small amout of pressure over quite a long time. So I left this on over night and found that the pressure dropped to 3 bar after a 10 hours. Then to try and find the leak I did an 8 bar water pressure test. Water was pumped into the high point of the pipework until there was a flow at the first radiator exit point which I then fitted with a push fit cap. Did the same for all remaining 10mm exit points. Finally pumped the water pressure to 8 bar and left overnight. In a period of about 20 hours the pressure dropped to 7 bar. Looked through all the pipework but could not find and sign of a leaking joint.
As a point of interest as I relieved the water pressure from 7 bar to 6 bar I noted how much water was released which was significant. Since I found no water leaking it must have been air escaping.
Can anyone suggest how I would go about finding this leak either with an air or water test? Is there a way to fill the pipework without it containing any air?
There is nothing in the system except the pipework, that is, it is not connected to the combi or any radiators etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
FarmerJo