1. The sounds of leaks in pressurized water pipes can travel for hundreds (even thousands) of feet in every direction down the mains and services:
When you have found the two meters, valves, or hydrants with the loudest leak sounds, you are ready to begin the final “pinpointing”. First, mark the exact location of the pipe between the two loudest valves, meters, hydrants, etc. with a pipe locator. Then listen every 2-3 feet directly over the pipe.
2. Different pipe materials and different pipe diameters transmit leak sounds down their pipes very differently:
| Pipe material & diameter | Typical distance sound travels |
|---|---|
| Cast iron – 6 in | 1,000 – 1,200 ft |
| Cast iron – 12 in | 800–1,000 ft |
| Cast iron – 24 in | 600–800 ft |
| AC – 6 in | 800–1,000 ft |
| AC – 12 in | 700–900 ft |
| AC – 24 in | 400–600 ft |
| PVC – 6 in | 400–600 ft |
| PVC – 12 in | 200–300 ft |
| PVC – 24 in | 100–150 ft |
3. Water leak surveying at meters is often performed using a long contact rod:
4. Use your hearing and the meter display to determine exactly where the leak sound is loudest:
5. For water leak pinpointing, attach the base plate to the sensor’s magnet and listen directly over the pipe:
Press the Mute Switch only when the base plate is sitting firmly on the street.
6. The Long Contact Rods are NOT digging bars or probe rods. The sensor can be broken if the rod is pounded into the ground.
