Water leak detection

[ThirdRock]

We have noticed the house water pump has begun to run constantly, even if all faucets/taps/toilets are not running.  We can find no obvious leaks in walls or floors, and no soggy areas or indication in the lawn there is a leak.  We have used a company in the USA before relocating here that used ultrasonic or sonar equipment to locate a water leak under the house or around the pool.  That company charged a flat fee only if a leak was found.  We are at the point that we are turning off the water pump, and only turning it on for 15-minute periods two or three times a day for showers, toilets, etc.

 

Is there a company in the Pattaya area who provides such a service.  Any help or advice will be appreciated!

[Dante99]

Pump pressure valve problem?

 

Do you have a valve on the output side of the pump which you could close and see if the pump continues to run?  If so that would tell you if it is a pump problem.

[worgeordie]

Turn everything off , including the pump , then see if the water meter

is still turning , if not it's a fault with the pump, also check the toilets

to see if they are over filling ,,,,good luck

 

regards worgeordie

[Pitak Chirachat]

We had the same issue in Hua Hin. Lots of farangs talking big but only hot air. Finally someone introduced us to Mr. Tong. He is based in BKK. He charged us Baht 9,500 no cure no pay. We had previously a team from Hua Hin but they couldn't find the leak. It took Mr. Tong 20 minutes to find it. A pipe had broken underneath the outdoor toilet. He opened the floor, fixed the pipe and closed/sealed the floor again. He spent roughly 1.5 hours. Now Baht 9,500 sounds a lot but 3 years ago we had a pipe leading to the swimming pool broken. At that time we also had a plumber coming who dug out the entire pipe according to the trial and error method. It was a complete mess and we were lucky we could find the same tiles again that he had removed. 

And let's not forget our water bill had jumped from around Baht 300 to Baht 7,500 due to the water break. So I think Mr. Tong was worth his money. In case you call him tell him you got his number from the farang in Hin Lek Fai. 

[norbra]

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Turn everything off , including the pump , then see if the water meter

is still turning , if not it's a fault with the pump, also check the toilets

to see if they are over filling ,,,,good luck

 

regards worgeordie

The toilets are hard to isolate if there is no local stop valve, to ensure there is no water flow I suggest holding/securing the float device in the full position.

If there is a leaking seal it will be evident as the tank slowly and silently empties

If the meter has stopped spinning and the tank remains full then the float valve is the problem.

Of course check every toilet as above

Good luck

Edited February 17, 2023 by norbra

[xtrnuno41]

Your pressure switch isnt working (rust, dirt) so pump stays on

your pressure is too low, the pressure switch doesnt get to switchpoint:

a) There is  leakage in pipes

b) your pump is damaged inside and cant deliver the pressure anymore.

The pressure switch doesnt reach the switching point.

You could lower the switching point on the pressure switch. You put all water taps closed, run the pump and turn the setting of the pressure switch until the pump shuts off.

If it will eventually, ok, but too much switch setting differentiation would tell there is another problem. It means when you have to turn the setting way ahead of original setting. But be aware there is no pipe leakage. Be aware of where the setting is and how many turns you have to give it. Maybe it is just half a turn or even less, so take it easy at first on turning.

 

Pressure stabilizing vessel (expansion vessel) is broken, you need to replace that one. Difficult to check.

If you take it off, fill it quick till it is full and then wait if level on top is lowering. But if it is a tiny hole, maybe difficult to notice, as you also dont have the pressure of the pump to fill it then by force. Otherwise just replace it, wouldnt cost that much in Thailand. 

Be aware , when you put the vessel back on, the vessel is filled up with water.

 

Cant give you info on water detection companies. 

[norbra]

1 hour ago, norbra said:

The toilets are hard to isolate if there is no local stop valve, to ensure there is no water flow I suggest holding/securing the float device in the full position.

If there is a leaking seal it will be evident as the tank slowly and silently empties

If the meter has stopped spinning and the tank remains full then the float valve is the problem.

Of course check every toilet as above

Good luck

I should have mentioned that starting with a half full tank you then able to see if the water flow does stop when the float device is raised to it's upper limit

[lopburi3]

There should be a shut off valve on pump output - first test is shut that and see if pump still runs - if it stops you most likely have a leak - if it continues to run you have a pump problem.  Pumps have a start and stop PSI sensor which can fail.  Also pump pressure tanks can become water logged (no air pressure).  Both can easily be fixed by pump workers.

[ThirdRock]

Update:  

Thanks for all of the suggestions above about checking the pump, etc.  We had a pump problem several years ago, so we had checked for problems.  But we went back and checked everything suggested above.  No luck!

 

Similar to a service we once used in America, and based on comments from Pitak above, I found a plumber in Bangkok who uses a sounding device to find leaks.  He said he would come to Pattaya and if he found the leak he would charge X Baht for finding/fixing it, but if he failed to find the leak there would be no charge for driving down.  Set up an appointment for three days later.  He drove down from BKK on Sunday morning and within a half hour found the leak under the floor in one of the downstairs bathrooms.  He jackhammered the tile and cement, replaced the leaking pipe, tested thoroughly replaced the bathroom floor tile with one we had saved from the original construction years ago, re-grouted and left the area spotless.  He was done within 2 hours of arriving and charged the original quoted price.  

 

The guy and his assistant were great, and using the acoustic device to locate the leak probably saved other tiles and digging holes.

 

Again, thanks for the suggestions.  Last time it was the pump as suspected.  This time it was an under-floor pipe!

 

[Terratrader]

On 2/17/2023 at 12:24 PM, Pitak Chirachat said:

We had the same issue in Hua Hin. Lots of farangs talking big but only hot air. Finally someone introduced us to Mr. Tong. He is based in BKK. He charged us Baht 9,500 no cure no pay. We had previously a team from Hua Hin but they couldn't find the leak. It took Mr. Tong 20 minutes to find it. A pipe had broken underneath the outdoor toilet. He opened the floor, fixed the pipe and closed/sealed the floor again. He spent roughly 1.5 hours. Now Baht 9,500 sounds a lot but 3 years ago we had a pipe leading to the swimming pool broken. At that time we also had a plumber coming who dug out the entire pipe according to the trial and error method. It was a complete mess and we were lucky we could find the same tiles again that he had removed. 

And let's not forget our water bill had jumped from around Baht 300 to Baht 7,500 due to the water break. So I think Mr. Tong was worth his money. In case you call him tell him you got his number from the farang in Hin Lek Fai. 

So where is the phone number of Mister Tong?

[Terratrader]

I had a leak as well, and I had four days to find someone who can find and fix it before my new renters moved in. Well, mission successful. Today mister Don Chang from Samut Prakan (BKK) came with his high sensitive microphone and traced the leak within half an hour. Fixed it and did a very clean job. Price was 6000 bath. His number is 0634689815. Please tell him you found him here.

[Maybole]

Is there anybody in Chiang mai area?

[Bulimbanick]

Hi everyone

We have a big inground pool which seems to have a water leak(s) in the pipes which we cannot find. No wet areas obvious. We are in Hua Hin and I saw 1 post about a Mr Tong in bangkok. Does anyone have a contact number for him ? Or is anyone aware to a company which will do proper leak detection using sonic test equipment in the area ? Thanks in advance, Nick

[Bulimbanick]

On 2/24/2023 at 7:58 PM, ThirdRock said:

Update:  

Thanks for all of the suggestions above about checking the pump, etc.  We had a pump problem several years ago, so we had checked for problems.  But we went back and checked everything suggested above.  No luck!

 

Similar to a service we once used in America, and based on comments from Pitak above, I found a plumber in Bangkok who uses a sounding device to find leaks.  He said he would come to Pattaya and if he found the leak he would charge X Baht for finding/fixing it, but if he failed to find the leak there would be no charge for driving down.  Set up an appointment for three days later.  He drove down from BKK on Sunday morning and within a half hour found the leak under the floor in one of the downstairs bathrooms.  He jackhammered the tile and cement, replaced the leaking pipe, tested thoroughly replaced the bathroom floor tile with one we had saved from the original construction years ago, re-grouted and left the area spotless.  He was done within 2 hours of arriving and charged the original quoted price.  

 

The guy and his assistant were great, and using the acoustic device to locate the leak probably saved other tiles and digging holes.

 

Again, thanks for the suggestions.  Last time it was the pump as suspected.  This time it was an under-floor pipe!

 

So what is his name and telephone number ?