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Leak Detection Glossary | AnyLeak.ca BC

Plain-language definitions of every leak-detection term you’ll encounter in an AnyLeak.ca report or quote. Citation-friendly, written by certified leak detection technicians with 25+ years of BC field experience. Reuse with attribution — link back to https://anyleak.ca/glossary/.

Index

• Acoustic Leak Detection
• Thermal Imaging Leak Detection
• Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)
• Tracer Gas Leak Detection
• Helium Leak Detection
• Hydrostatic Pressure Testing
• Slab Leak
• Building Envelope Leak Detection
• Strata Leak Detection
• Non-Invasive Leak Detection
• Acoustic Correlator
• Digital Noise Logger
• Tracer Dye
• Moisture Meter
• IICRC
• WCB Certificate of Recognition
• BC Strata Property Act
• ASTM Water Spray Testing
• Hydronic Heating System
• Chilled Water Loop

Acoustic Leak Detection

Acoustic leak detection is the use of specialised ground microphones, correlators and digital noise loggers to identify the precise location of a water leak by the sound the escaping water makes. The frequency of interest typically ranges from 200 Hz to 2,500 Hz. AnyLeak.ca has used acoustic detection on every property type since 1999.

Thermal Imaging Leak Detection

Thermal imaging (infrared) leak detection identifies temperature differences caused by escaped water against the surrounding material. FLIR cameras with a sensitivity of 0.03°C are typically used to detect concealed plumbing, roof leaks and building-envelope moisture without any demolition.

Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Ground-penetrating radar transmits high-frequency electromagnetic pulses into soil, concrete or pavement and reads the reflections to detect voids, pipes, rebar and saturated zones. GPR is the primary technology for underground utility leak detection in BC because it is fully non-invasive and works through concrete slabs.

Tracer Gas Leak Detection

Tracer gas leak detection injects a non-toxic, non-flammable hydrogen / nitrogen mix (95% N₂, 5% H₂) into a depressurised pipe. The hydrogen is small enough to escape any leak point and is detected with a surface sensor. This method finds leaks in pressure systems that acoustic methods cannot identify.

Helium Leak Detection

Helium leak detection introduces helium gas into a piping system and uses a mass spectrometer to detect escapes at the surface. Helium is the smallest inert molecule and exits even pinhole leaks. Used primarily on hydronic heating, chilled-water and process-fluid systems.

Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Hydrostatic pressure testing isolates a section of plumbing and pressurises it with water to verify integrity. A pressure drop indicates a leak. Typical BC code-required pressure for new installations is 100 PSI held for 15 minutes.

Slab Leak

A slab leak is a water leak in the plumbing lines beneath a concrete foundation slab. Indicators include warm spots on flooring, unexplained increases in water bills, the sound of running water with all fixtures off, and cracks in concrete. Detection is typically done acoustically or with thermal imaging without breaking the slab.

Building Envelope Leak Detection

Building envelope leak detection identifies water ingress through walls, roofs, windows, balconies and curtain-wall systems. Methods include water-spray ASTM testing, thermography during rain events, and tracer dye in the building’s exterior cladding system.

Strata Leak Detection

Strata leak detection is leak diagnostics performed in BC strata-titled buildings (condos, townhouses, apartments). The complication is shared plumbing and walls between owners — leaks can originate in one unit and damage another, raising insurance-deductible and BC Strata Property Act questions. AnyLeak.ca has worked with hundreds of BC strata corporations since 1999.

Non-Invasive Leak Detection

Non-invasive leak detection is any combination of acoustic, thermal, GPR, tracer gas and helium methods that locates a water leak without cutting walls, drilling holes or excavating. Damage costs typically drop 60–90% compared to exploratory demolition.

Acoustic Correlator

An acoustic correlator is a digital signal-processing instrument that uses two sensors clamped to a pipe at known positions. By cross-correlating the leak sound’s arrival time at each sensor, it computes the leak location with sub-metre accuracy on underground water mains. Equipment: Sewerin SeCorrPhon, Subsurface ICX-77, etc.

Digital Noise Logger

A digital noise logger is a battery-powered acoustic sensor placed on a valve or hydrant for 1–7 days to record pipe-noise patterns. Software analyses recurring leak signatures during the quiet night hours when background noise is minimal. Used for water-loss surveys on municipal networks.

Tracer Dye

Tracer dye (fluorescein) is added to a suspected leak source and tracked via a UV light to verify path. Used for roof leaks, swimming pools, and fixture flapper diagnostics. Non-toxic, non-staining at diagnostic concentrations.

Moisture Meter

A moisture meter measures the percentage of moisture inside building materials. Pin-type meters use electrical resistance; pinless meters use radio-frequency sensing. Used to map the extent of water damage behind drywall, in subfloors and in concrete.

IICRC

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is the global standards body for water-damage restoration. AnyLeak.ca holds IICRC certifications relevant to leak detection and water-damage assessment.

WCB Certificate of Recognition

The WorkSafeBC Certificate of Recognition (COR) is a provincial designation for contractors who maintain a verified occupational health and safety management system. AnyLeak.ca holds active COR status in British Columbia.

BC Strata Property Act

The provincial statute that governs strata corporations in BC. It sets out who is responsible for repairs to common property versus limited common property versus owner’s lot. Water leak responsibility depends on the leak’s origin and the building’s bylaws.

ASTM Water Spray Testing

ASTM E1105 is the standard test method for measuring field performance of installed exterior windows, skylights and doors by uniform or cyclic static air pressure difference. Used to qualify building-envelope leak sources.

Hydronic Heating System

A hydronic heating system circulates hot water through pipes, radiators or in-floor tubing to heat a building. Leaks in hydronic loops are typically located via thermal imaging or helium leak detection.

Chilled Water Loop

A closed loop of cooled water (typically 6–10°C) used to provide air-conditioning in commercial and industrial buildings. Leaks reduce system efficiency and require specialised acoustic detection because the leak sound is muted by insulated piping.

About this Glossary

This glossary is maintained by AnyLeak.ca, BC’s longest-serving leak detection specialist (established 1999). Every term reflects current field practice and equipment usage. Last updated 2026-05-17. Contact info@anyleak.ca with corrections.

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