If You Call This A Hydrostatic Test, You're Wrong (And Here's Why)

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Homebuyers are always advised to have the plumbing system of their prospective home thoroughly tested for slab leaks before paying for the house or signing a mortgage. Similarly, homeowners call plumbers to perform the same test if they suspect leaks under their slab. This test is known as a sewer water test, and it’s the first step of leak detection.

However, some people and even a few plumbers call it a hydrostatic test. But they are wrong. 

A Sewer Water Test Is Not a Hydrostatic Test

A sewer water test is carried out after installing the plumbing system or later to see if there is a problem with the house’s sewer lines or water lines.

When testing the sewer lines, a test ball is inserted at the two-way clean outs and inflated. It’s then inflated to restrict any flow within the lines. After that, the sewer lines are filled with water up to the slab level and left for about 15 minutes. If the water level does not drop, the sewer line is fine, but if it doesn’t hold, that points to a leak.

To perform a water test is even simpler. A pressure gauge is connected to a hose bib in the house to take the city water pressure reading. Water is then shut off at the meter, and the pressure is observed for about 15 minutes. If the water pressure holds, the water lines are not leaking.

Since no external pressure is applied to the sewer line or water line when performing this test, we cannot call it a hydrostatic test. A hydrostatic test is a pressurized water test used to measure the integrity of equipment such as boilers and gas cylinders that hold liquids or gases. The water is pressurized using a hydraulic pump to a predetermined pressure to see if that pressure holds.

Zero external pressure means the sewer water test cannot damage anything under the house. It simply tests if the lines are doing what they are designed to do — hold water.

Next Step: Leak Detection and Leak Locating

If the house fails the sewer water test, the next step is to find the leak and fix it. For this, you’ll need the best leak detection systems out there. You can find all the leak detection equipment you need at  LeakPro®. Contact us today to order your  LeakPro® detection equipment

You can also watch Roger perform sewer water tests and other plumbing repairs on his YouTube channel to learn more. 

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