What Is A Hydrostatic Test? | Plumbing Basics

Oh boy... Hydrostatic Tests.... So the reason I feel compelled to talk about this is because this term is still being used improperly and it's really causing a lot of grief to homeowners, real estate agents, AND plumbers. Today I'm going to show what you should be saying instead.

Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel I teach homeowners how to save money on their plumbing by doing DIY plumbing projects. I also teach plumbers and plumbing company owners how to be the best plumbers in their area and run successful plumbing businesses. My goal is teach you everything you need to know about plumbing.

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[WiliamBennettwildarbennett]

1st THANK YOU for the knowledge that you share.
I am a retired Volunteer FF and one of my responsibilities was to keep our SCBA bottles updated as well as our Fire Extinguishers. & our Fire Pumps & Hoses. So I am very familiar with the term "HYDROSTATIC TESTING". Which entails taking said equipment to a predetermined PRESSURE above its normal operating limits. And I've seen this equipment fail catastrophically!
Now that I hope that will help clear up the confusion as to what a Hydrostatic Test is not a STANDING WATER @ Normal Atmosphere Pressure.

[haileyosborn]

Hey, not a plumber. I’m a 26 yo female utility locator. I own my company. I do sewer and water tests exactly how you described. I also run a camera and locate leaks and anything traceable. Watched your video for more knowledge. Learned some things so thank you!

[GuitarzFromMarzz]

Watch out for the occasional toilet causing the water pressure to drop. If a flapper is bad it will cause the fill valve to open and ruin the test.

[Richard-sgvf]

Fill the entire system up on the roof, not the top of laundry drain. top of vent for 24 hours, it can't fail for 30 plus years, if water level is roughly the same as original. Sometimes the water can squeeze past the test ball, ever so slightly. it's a true safe test. You put a camera in, after you fill it with water. The stabilization will tell you, if water is moving also.# masterplumber

[TheStrangersix]

Hi from San Antonio - We're selling our house and the potential buyer has asked to do a hydrostatic test. Our realtor explained the test as pressurizing our system (that could damage our appliances and water heater) and that our toilet would have to be removed to complete this.
We immediately said NO!
We would absolutely be open to the test you described in your video.
How would you recommend proceeding to ensure the buyer's plumber does the test you described and properly?
I realize this not really a question you can answer but any advice would be welcome.
Thank you!

[sudo]

Nice editorial work. Good information!

[jenniferbmendezful]

My home inspector wanted to do the camera thing and I was like why bother. There are no trees within 40 feet, and the house was built in 2002.
No issues. I wish they had explained the sewer water test. I’d have gone for that. Detecting tiny pressure leaks vs looking for things that can be detected with the eye.

[GrayKinney]

Roger, I just spoke to your wife and having you send your guys out. I did the pressure test and looking forward to the Water Sewer Test (Great videos), I had a foundation fix and a recheck looks like a possible leak. Look forward to meeting your peeps.

[JoeSmith-umsg]

I just call it a leak test, use the test ball to fill sewer line and put pressure gauges on faucets at opposite ends of house whenever possible.

[kv]

Thank you so much Roger for this explanation I was always wondering why do they call it hydrostatic test if you never take a hydro static pump and pump up the drain lines. I’m a 2.5 year apprentice and your videos help me a lot thank you 🙏🏽

[sallyssocalminute]

I called 4 plumbers for a hydrostatic test and they all said they had to “pull the bowl” to do it. I went with a big plumbing company and they pulled a bowl and found a big problem and said it needed to be fixed before they could replace it. They had to dig a tunnel to do it and it was loud and pricey. When the work was done, they did the hydrostatic test using the toilet drain pipe and said that there was another leak. Now, get this: the city inspector had to sign off on the work before they could backfill the tunnels. The test performed for him was the one demonstrated in your video with the ball in the cleanout (but no meter on the hydrant). The water held and he signed off on it. Now I have questions. The test for the city showed no leaks after 4 hours (we are still waiting for the plumber to come back and remove the ball). But this other test from the toilet drain supposedly indicated a leak. I’m feeling a little ripped off right now and very confused. There’s a lot more to the story but that’s the gist of it. Do you have any feedback?

[astleycl]

Hello, thanks for this vital video. I am wondering if you know someone that do sewer-water test in Dallas TX area. Thanks.

[coreya]

You are correct, that’s not a hydro test. I’m a fire sprinkler inspector and we do hydro’s on our systems during initial installation. They get pumped up to 200psi.

[nationalsergio]

When my sister was looking for a house to buy, we did the test to one of the houses. We put a test ball in the clean out outside, but on the house side of the tee. Then we took off a toilet from the first floor, we filled the toilet drain pipe with water all the way to the flange. It wasn't holding the water. And there wasn't any water running through the clean out.

[redeclipzegsx]

So what’s the difference between a status pressure test on domestic system, and a hydrostatic pressure test on sewer system?

Because the static pressure test passed saying held at 72psi in 30 min, but the hydrostatic pressure test failed saying loss 4” in 30 min.

The house had foundation repairs so I’m trying to find out how much I need to be concerned with this

[erichofer]

Ok I’ve watched video 2x and seems very straight forward. As I was in purchase process I elected to have “hydrostatic test done”. When inspected arrived he stated it couldn’t be done due to age of house and containing iron plumbing. Is this the case? Or is it that he was going to pressurize the system? Tia

[KingsVideos-xyrn]

nobody talking about the deez nutz part lmaoooo

[lakecarouthers]

Love the video, funny but very informative! Thank you!

[seanmalone]

Don't listen to a real-estate agent for anything not even about the house they are showing you believe nothing of what they say

[brittanyfish]

Thanks so much for the video! Great information for us realtors. Question... When would you do a sewer/water test? On every house I represent buyer? Or only when there seems to be some sort of indication of a leak? (like micro-dial spinning or something?) If there is not an indicator of a leak and there hasn't been any foundation repairs, would you still need to do this test?