Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
Isolating a pipe section and pressurizing it to verify integrity. Pressure drop over time confirms a leak, and the rate of drop indicates leak severity.
How Hydrostatic Pressure Testing Works
Hydrostatic pressure testing is a method for confirming the presence of a leak and assessing its severity, even when the exact location is unknown. A section of pipe is isolated using shut-off valves or test plugs, filled with water, and pressurized to a specified test pressure (typically 1.5 times operating pressure, up to a maximum of system rating). The pressure is monitored over a test period — typically 30 minutes to 2 hours. A pressure drop indicates a leak, and the rate of drop correlates with leak size. While this method confirms that a leak exists and provides information about flow rate, it does not identify the exact location — which is why we combine it with acoustic or tracer gas methods for precise location.
Applications in BC
- Confirmation of leak presence in isolated pipe sections
- Testing new plumbing installations before cover-up
- Fire suppression system integrity testing
- Pool and spa plumbing verification
- Radiant floor heating system testing
Advantages
- Definitively confirms leak presence
- Quantifies leak severity for insurance reporting
- Simple equipment setup
- Can test multiple pipe sections sequentially
- No chemicals or gases required
Limitations
- Does not provide leak location
- Requires pipe isolation and access points
- Cannot test systems that cannot be isolated
- Pressure must be monitored over time
Equipment Used
- • Hydro-Test HP-300 pressure test pump
- • Wheeler-Rex hand pump test kit
- • Watts pressure test gauge kit
- • Digital pressure data logger
- • Expansion test plugs and isolation tools
Related Services
Professional Hydrostatic Pressure Testing in BC
LeakInspections.ca — a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca. Call 604-239-9934.