Underground water mains leak in Chesterfield, S41 8
The underground water mains leak in Chesterfield, S41 8 was investigated in March 2024 by Brett Steele. ADI Leak Detection Sheffield finds hidden water leaks across Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
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- Leak type
- Underground Water Mains Leak
- Postcode sector
- S41 8, Chesterfield
- Engineer
- Brett Steele
- Attended
- March 2024
- Methods
- Acoustic listening, Tracer gas, Pressure testing, Flow metering
- Proof
- Pressure retest with no further loss and no further usage at the meter
- Job reference
- 111587
What was leaking in Chesterfield, S41 8?
The underground supply leak came to light when the local water authority flagged high consumption on the supply. The stopcock is at the front of the building, and the supply runs into the cellar. From the kitchen a lead pipe crosses a courtyard to the gents toilet, with a suspected dead leg off it under the tarmac.
With nothing drawing water, the meter recorded 1 litre every 30 seconds.
How was the water leak found?
The courtyard leak was located by Brett Steele in five steps. Flow metering, acoustic listening, tracer gas and acoustic profiling identified the same tarmac patch, so only that patch was dug.
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Inspect the supply route after a water consumption alert
The supply route and stopcock were inspected after the water authority's consumption alert, tracing the route into the cellar and across the courtyard.
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Confirm water loss at the meter
The water meter confirmed uncontrolled loss with nothing drawing water: an active leak.
The meter showing uncontrolled flow -
Listen for leak noise at the gents stopcock
Acoustic listening detected suspect leak noise at the gents stopcock feeding the urinals and toilet.
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Detect tracer gas beneath the courtyard tarmac
Tracer gas testing detected a strong escape through the central courtyard tarmac. The tracer gas had been purged into the supply and the whole site swept with analysers.
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Confirm courtyard leak noise with acoustic listening
Acoustic profiling identified the same courtyard tarmac patch. Noise generated there allowed acoustic listening to confirm the position.
Listening on the courtyard tarmac patch
How was the leaking pipe repaired?
The damaged lead supply under the courtyard tarmac, apparently on a dead leg, was capped off.
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Excavate the damaged lead supply pipe
Excavation of the courtyard tarmac exposed a damaged lead supply pipe, believed to be on the dead leg.
The leak, under the tarmac patch dug out in the courtyard -
Cap the damaged supply pipe and retest for water loss
The damaged pipe was capped off with a transition coupler and a 25mm cap end. A pressure retest showed no further loss, and with the mains back on the meter showed no further usage.
The damaged lead pipe capped off with a transition coupler
If more leaks appear, the engineer suggests repiping the gents from inside the cellar, which would take the lead pipe under the courtyard out of use.
Who located the water leak?
Brett Steele attended.
Brett Steele
Brett Steele attended for ADI Leak Detection Sheffield, from his base in Halifax.
- City & Guilds Plumbing & Heating Level 3
10 years’ leak detection experience
1,167 jobs completed
Nik Sampson
The Trustpilot review rates Brett Steele’s work 5 out of 5.
Adi Leak Detection did an excellent job sourcing the leak and repairing the damaged lead mains water pipe. Paul and Brett were prompt and efficient and were meticulous in the service they provided. Their professionalism and expertise in handling the situation was second to none and would highly recommend!
- Rating
- 5 out of 5
- Date
- 2 July 2024
- Engineer
- Brett Steele
Need water mains leak detection?
Water surfacing in a yard can indicate a mains leak. Chesterfield is in Severn Trent's area, not Yorkshire Water's. ADI Leak Detection Sheffield provides water mains leak detection. Check the areas we cover for your postcode.
Which other leaks has ADI Leak Detection Sheffield found?
Four other leak investigations are recorded in the engineers’ job records and photographs.
Internal Cold Mains Leak in Dore and Totley, Sheffield S17
The pin hole in the old 15mm copper cold feed riser beneath the kitchen floor was repaired and the redundant feed capped.
Underground Water Mains Leak in Gleadless Valley, Sheffield S8
The lead supply leaks beneath the concrete pathway outside the property received a temporary repair.
Underground Water Mains Leak in Shiregreen and Brightside, Sheffield S9
The two supply faults were repaired by re-seating the front garden fitting and replacing cracked pipe under the driveway.
Internal Cold Water Leak in Wath upon Dearne, S63 7
The two kitchen floor leaks were repaired: the copper pipe in front of the dishwasher and the faulty fitting beside the fridge freezer.
