leaking ground source loop!

[jamesgeorge]

Hi,

I have a ground source heat pump with a slight leak in the underground loop, which is 400M of 32mm plastic pipe, there are some joins along its lengh which have compression fittings on although i'm not sure where these are as it zig zag over about .25 of an acre.

I was thinking of trying some kind of leak sealer, like Fernox, of even something like Rad Weld for cars. Although i'm assuming these probably need heat to work, which i can't do as this is the cold water part of the system, even it i connected to the hot water system it'd be quite in effective due to the length. Any thoughts if this would work, or anything else i can use?

 

[RigidRaider]

How much liquid is in the system?

 

[jamesgeorge]

by my calculations its about 32 gallons (145L).

 

[muggles]

Can't see that any leak-sealing type products are going to help unfortunately, as all the ones I've come across require sustained heat to work. You say the pipe is joined with compression fittings...are these the plastic fittings normally used on MDPE or brass fittings? If they're brass then they will leak unless they're DZR ones - normal brass fittings do not take kindly to being buried underground. If this is the case your only option may well be to find them all and replace them, as sooner or later they're all going to let go.

 

[jamesgeorge]

no they're not brass, they're the proper plastic one's for underground, so thats one thing in my favour.

 

[dcawkwell]

The pipe is usually in 50m roles so that would mean 7 joints undergound sections.
Although you can get it in 100m roles so possibly only 3 joints underground. Perhaps have a word with contractor as to what was done.

I would connect it up to mains pressure and hope the leaky joint gives way and a wet patch develops or at a possibility of hearing the running water.
I have had water pipes fail where the plastic insert has been forgotten.

Failing that I would dig down approximately half way hopefully finding
a joint if possible and break the connection connecting it up directly back to the house with a new section above ground at least that will narrow down where the leak might be.