TESTING CENTRAL HEATING PIPES FOR LEAKS

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daveybdab

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Hi there.

i have been renovating my flat over the last few months. As part of the work i drained the central heating and movend a few radiators around. I would like to know the best way to test for leaks in the system. i could pump water straight in but any big leaks would make the flat downstairs very wet. I have been considering buying a air pressure guage (the type with the bicycle pump attachment) but have read a lot about how testing with air is dangerous. I understand that pumping the system upto say 3 bar with air could have potentially explosive results, but wonder if there is a safe pressure i could pump to with air that would reveal any serious leaks in the system?


Thanks for any advise
 
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it is mainly copper pipe (the orignal that i have not changed)
Bits i have added are in plastic, with plastic push pit connectors
 
testing with air is not dangerous if you know what you're doing, like a lot of other things like cutting meat with a sharp knife, or driving in heavy rain, or skate boarding, if you don't have the skills, get someone in who has, or fill with water slowley and have a mop and bucket ready,
 
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have you got uguage and regin air pressure kit
if so attach it openend pipe and do small air test but this will not tell you if it compeletly sound but it will tell you if you have bad leak
 
jackpike said:
testing with air is not dangerous if you know what you're doing, like a lot of other things like cutting meat with a sharp knife, or driving in heavy rain, or skate boarding, if you don't have the skills, get someone in who has, or fill with water slowley and have a mop and bucket ready,
Click to expand...

Oh FFS Tom!!! You'll have Onetap on here shortly waving his H&S book!! The wafture will be enough to power up a small wind farm!!!......... :LOL: :LOL:
 
Keep all radiator valves shut. Just fill the boiler and the pipework first.
Then move on radiator at a time.
It will be a good idea to have drain hose already connected
and buy a water vacuum and have a few thick towels to hand. That should be ok unless you have a major leak and assistant is a good idea.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, very useful.

Think I might buy one of these

http://www.allplumbingsupplies.co.u...henberger-Dry-Pressure-Test-Kit/prod_798.html

Connect it to the start of the system cap off the end and put a bit of pressure in, maybe up to 1.5 bar. Cant imagine such a small pressune would be dangerout. I I leave if overnight and see how if there is a pressure change in the morning (assuming the temperature is the same when measuring). THis should identify if there are any big holes in pipes for example if one of my builder has put a nail through a pipe. assuming no major leaks in this test I will fill the system with water in stages, pressirising to full pressure beofre allowing water into the next part of the system.

Sound sensible?
 
daveybdab said:
Sound sensible?
Click to expand...

Sounds stupid.

If you were sensible, you'd have used the search facility (top right) already.

If you search for the magic words 'air pressure testing' it gives you 666 replies. A hint there?
 
Thanks for the useful (and friendly) advise Onetap. Unfortunatly I have already trawled through pasges and pages discussing this subject but have been unable to find a conclusive answer. Some people saying it is illegal, others saying it is no more dangerous than pumping up a bike tyre.
 
daveybdab said:
Thanks for the useful (and friendly) advise Onetap. Unfortunatly I have already trawled through pasges and pages discussing this subject but have been unable to find a conclusive answer. Some people saying it is illegal, others saying it is no more dangerous than pumping up a bike tyre.
Click to expand...

Make your own decision.

The HVCA, HSE, etc., say to use hydraulic pressure testing, there are numerous manufacturers instructions for pressure testing on the internet (e.g. JG Speedfit) and none of those mention pneumatic tests.

I did a lot of pressure testing in the course of my job and I wouldn't use a pneumatic test if I could avoid it because, besides the inherent & very real dangers, it is a useless test method. It takes a long time for a leak to cause a pressure change in a pneumatic test; the same leak will show up within seconds on a hydraulic test. I've done and witnessed hundreds of hydraulic pressure tests and one pneumatic test.

You can follow the two big tits above, if you like.
 
Dave
It's done as standard practise by Plumbers on Building sites & Homes throughout the land. That's why all the test eqipment is available!!

Ignore the Nanny State, H&S jobsworths. If you listen to half of them you wouldn't get out of bed in the morning or cross the road.......... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
 
D

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