Find Underground Main Line Water Leak With DIY Tool

This video shows how to make a DIY tool to inject air into the main line. It will create noise, bubbles, etc to help locate where your main line leak is located. Although it won't work in all cases, this DIY tool will help find many underground main line water leaks, depending where they are. If your leak us underneath a driveway or other concrete slab, you may have difficulty finding the underground pipe leak.

00:00 Intro
00:56 The tool
01:17 Connecting to a hose bib
01:50 Add compressed air
02:38 Gurgling Sound
04:11 New Main Line

[thed-man]

It sure worked for me, I found the leak in the ground from my pump house to the house by just putting this little gizmo together and pumping air at about 65 psi and right away I could hear the bubbles in the ground near the pump house. Mike you saved me $325 for a company to come out and find it, Thanks.

[kenhoover]

If underground, here is a POSSIBLE alternative. Get a Lazer thermometer and run it between the meter and the hose bib. If there is a leak, the ground temperature should be lower above the leak due to the water surrounding that area.

[tbasshandyman]

i have the exact situation im doing it today. i have 60lbs street pressure ill start with that.

[GabeandFamily]

Thanks for this. I made one of these and it worked for me. I also used a 4' piece of PVC and a mechanic's stethoscope to find the exact spot that it was leaking underground. Set your compressor to 60psi and leave your water meter on. It did sound like gurgling water but it also sounded like a tapping as if someone was trapped in a box tapping on the inside. Weird, but that's how it sounded.

[jimwalton]

As a person that has been finding water leaks for over 30 years it is just a good idea to pay a professional to find the leak. You had the right idea about adding compressed air. But the equipment that we use to hear the leak and sound below the ground costs around $8000 and takes time to learn. Plus you are trying to find an issue below the ground that cannot be seen or touched. Ground conditions vary and can change how a leak sounds. Even with all the knowledge and equipment leaks may be very difficult to find. Just had a site where there was multiple layers of asphalt and trash in the backfill. That creates horrible conditions to find a leak.

[ronparker]

Thanks guy. Excellent video. Am curious what the leak detection folks charged and how long it took them to find the leak? Thanks. Ron

[iskoos]

Can you share with us briefly how the leak detection company was able to locate the leak. What did they do to find it?
Appreciated.

[shanethemank]

your supposed to leave the water on with the air this forces more air and water through the leak at the same time, helping you pin point the area. maybe try that on the next one!

[gsp]

I see some moisture in front porch pavers and suspect leak. Water line is going under the slab to center of the house. I am worried and want to know if they need to cut my slab in the house to replace pipe. its 70 year old house..

[vjmeht]

Why replace the whole line? Was it more cost effective than patch?

[SuperJimmyBennett]

seeing the video above it seems i would need s seperate line going back to the main which it seems you have instead of sending the pressure though the pipes in the house?

[MikeKlimek]

Thanks for watching! Leave any questions or comments below:

[timmiller]

Misleading title of your video. You didn’t find the leak… I’m trying to AVOID paying $600 for the leak detection people coming out…

[angelf]

Can I do this if my water pressure is only 60 psi. I have a small leak some were but I can’t locate it. And how much will it cost for a leak detection services to come and look it.

[SuperJimmyBennett]

so how much was them to detect the leak?

[austinleinbach]

This is nearly a 5 min video that can be summed up with "I made lots of bubbles in my pipes so could I end up calling the professionals anyway"

[SheerHeaven]

Where do I find a leak detection company blairsvill pa ???