Thermal Imaging to detect central heating leak?

[TJG]

Hi Everyone
Have a problem with a combi boiler based central heating system - it's losing 1 bar a day pressure (about 1 litre?) so pump keeps cutting out due to low pressure detected. No sign of leak in ceilings so must be below floor. Part boarded/part tiled. Anyone got experience of detecting the leak using an infrared camera?
Thanks

 

[P4ULT]

this would be interesting to know could be very helpful at times

 

[Mackattak]

Not really...but I'm guessing you just run the heating and point the camera no????

 

[that bloke.]

might work but wouldn't the camera just pick up the hot pipework?

 

[john.bell55]

Have a look at this website that says it can detect leaks in heating and cooling systems.
Thermal Imaging Camera Guide.
The price of these cameras are £2000 upwards.
I don't know if you can hire one or a company that will provide this service. But from the cost of the equipment it won't be cheap.
I think you would be cheaper getting someone in that can test the system for leaks, or take up some of the boarding and investigate under the floor.
Cheers
Jack
Here is another site that hires equipment.
[DLMURL="http://www.thermascan.co.uk/assets/apps-plumbing.php"]Thermal Imaging and Plumbing Inspections - Thermal Cameras, IR Cameras - Sales, Leasing, Hire, Services and Training - Thermascan UK[/DLMURL]

 

[newbie1]

i would start by putting a pressure gauge on the pipework and isolating the boiler for 24hrs that would confirm if loss is through pipework or boiler then its a case of checking sections of pipework

 

[P4ULT]

the probem comes like a customer i have at the momont when you have tiled and oak floors.

 

[Mackattak]

might work but wouldn't the camera just pick up the hot pipework?

The camera will pick up the heat from the pipes, but it should pick up any spread of heat from any water loss.

 

[ipiris]

There is lot of information here on thermal imaging equipment including a hand held range which could be useful:

CCTV Network Webcam IP: Panasonic CCTV Sovereign International Trade Distributors.

 

[whitney0125]

hi,

that is a great idea. i am sure you can clearly detect the problem about your heating system. If you want to buy a thermal imaging camera i know where you can get a very good one with a affordable price.

thanks,
____________________
http://thermalimagingcamera.ie/

 

[LIFES A GAS]

Have you ruled out everything else, if your boiler is a condensing model have you checked the boiler is not leaking via the condense waste, we see a number of Vaillant 186e and 236e boilers loosing pressure every day due to the boilers heat exchanger leaking via the condense waste, some of those boilers are now 15 years old. Another thing, last time I measured water required to top a system up by 1 bar it took around 4 ltrs so have you got a problem with the expansion vessel? is the system pressure rising when you run heating, is that causing the PRV to open and loose your system pressure?
Martin.

 

[joe plumber]

have u check the warning/pressure relief valve? old ish combis's i find are notourious for the pressure relief valve letting by! especially if the system has been filled and drained several times recently. well worth checking could save you alot of pain andhassle lifting floors.

 

[WHPES]

Isolate separate sections and pressure test with a test pump. Gradually narrow it down by process of elimination.