Acoustic & Underground Leak Detection
Highly sensitive electronic listening equipment amplifies the distinctive sound of pressurised water escaping, and filters out everything else.
Acoustic listening in practice
Acoustic leak detection uses highly sensitive electronic listening devices to detect the sound produced by pressurised water escaping from damaged pipework.
Leaks create distinctive noise frequencies as water escapes under pressure. Our specialist equipment amplifies these sounds while filtering out background noise, allowing the technician to identify the point where the leak noise is strongest.
This method is often used alongside tracer gas and thermal imaging to confirm leak locations with greater accuracy.
Acoustic detection is particularly effective on:
- Mains water supplies
- Copper pipework
- Metal and MDPE pipe systems
- Underground water services
Acoustic listening: your questions
Specific answers about this method. For anything else, call us on 0333 772 4776.
Usually, yes. Pressurised escapes on underground supplies produce a distinctive noise that travels along the pipe and through the ground. Our ground microphones locate the strongest point, often to within a square metre.
Small weeps on plastic pipe can be acoustically quiet, which is why we carry tracer gas as well. Combining methods is how we keep our accuracy high on every survey.
Yes. It is very effective on internal mains and copper pipework under floors and behind walls, especially when the system can be kept under pressure during the test.
Do you think you have a leak?
Book a non-invasive Trace & Access survey for a fixed £480 + VAT. We locate the source fast, with a full report for your records or insurer.