Leak detection method and apparatus

Abstract

A method for testing for a possible water leak in at least a part of a water system, comprising: closing all known water usage taps () within the part of the water system to be tested; closing at least one stop cock () or valve of the water system to isolate the part of the water system from its replacement water source () (or sources), and any external replacement pressure source (or sources); and then a) detecting a first pressure Pwithin the isolated part of the water system at a sensor () connected to the part of the water system, waiting a period of time t and then detecting a second pressure within the isolated part of the water system at that sensor (); and b) releasing a volume of water VR from the water system out of the isolated part of the water system via a vent () in the isolated part of the water system, before then closing the vent (), step b) further comprising detecting the pressures either side of that release at that sensor (); using the pressure drop caused by the approximately known or measured volume of water VR to enable an estimate of the relationship between change in pressure in the system and the volume of water released to be established, and based on the relationship between the change in pressure and the known release volume, calculating an estimate of the actual volume of the unknown water loss volume Vbased upon the recorded pressure loss in the system in the known period of time t.