Tracer gas leak detection
Pinpoint buried water leaks and open less floor
Some water leaks sit under a concrete slab, a tiled shop floor or a paved parking area, where there is nothing to see. We fill the water line with a safe tracer gas and pick it up at the surface where it escapes, so less floor or paving has to be opened. This is a water leak service: Amptex does not work on gas lines or gas installations.
- For water linesA way to find water leaks, not a gas service
- Under slab and pavingLeaks traced through tile, concrete and paving
- Less opening upKnowing where the leak is means less floor to break out
Scope
How tracer gas detection works
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Isolate the line
The affected water line is isolated from the supply and drained or emptied.
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Fill with tracer gas
The line is filled with a safe tracer gas, typically a nitrogen–hydrogen mix.
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The gas finds the leak
It escapes where the pipe is damaged and rises through tile, concrete or paving.
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Detect at the surface
A sensitive detector picks up the gas at the surface above the leak.
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Open and repair
Once you approve, we open the floor or paving at that point, repair the pipe and test the line.
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Reinstate the surface
Tiles, screed or paving over the repair are quoted as their own item.
On site
Detection work in a trading space
The line under test has to be off and empty, so we agree when water to that section can be off and give tenants notice. The detection is done across the floor surface, so stock, vehicles or furniture over the suspected area need to be moved. If the leak is under a shop floor, we can test before opening or after close.
- Water to the test section off and drained
- Tenants told when their supply will stop
- Stock, rugs or vehicles cleared from the area
- Pipe routes or plans shared if available
- Repair point agreed before anything is opened
Paperwork
Findings before anything is broken out
- Leak position on the job cardWe photograph the detection results and load them on our live electronic job card for you to view.
- Approval to openNothing is broken out until you have approved the repair quote.
- Repair and reinstatement quotePipe repair and making good priced together, valid for 7 days.
- PaymentEFT, card, Apple Pay or Google Pay on receipt, or a 30-day account.
Facilities FAQs
Tracer gas questions from facilities managers
Is this a gas leak service?
No. Tracer gas is only the tool. We use it to find leaks in water pipes. Amptex doesn't work on gas lines, gas geysers or gas appliances.
Is the tracer gas safe in an occupied building?
Yes. It is a safe tracer gas, typically a nitrogen–hydrogen mix, and it only goes into the water line we have isolated and drained.
Does it mean no damage to our floors?
No method can promise that. Tracer gas narrows down where the leak is, so the opening is smaller than breaking out a whole section to search for it.
When is tracer gas the right choice?
When the leak is under a slab, a tiled floor, a parking area or a long buried run, and ordinary tracing can't pinpoint it. For visible or accessible leaks, our standard water leak detection is usually enough.
