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Tracer Gas Leak Detection Specialists

Tracer Gas Leak Detection in Cornwall and Devon. Reliable water leak detection using gas tracing  🤝

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🔍 Tracer Gas Leak Detection in Cornwall & Devon

Pinpoint hidden leaks with military-grade precision – no guesswork, no unnecessary damage to your property

Got a stubborn leak that’s playing hide and seek? After 30+ years finding leaks across Cornwall and Devon, I can tell you that tracer gas is often the ace up our sleeve when other methods come up short. It’s like having X-ray vision for your pipework – we can see through concrete, tiles, even that expensive marble flooring you’re worried about damaging. Whether you need Water Leak Detection Specialist or Trace and Access Plumbers, we’ve got you covered.

“I’ve used tracer gas to find leaks 4-5 feet underground, beneath reinforced concrete, and even in pipes running through solid granite foundations. If there’s a leak, this method will find it.”

What Is Tracer Gas Leak Detection?

Think of tracer gas as the bloodhound of leak detection. We introduce a completely safe mixture of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen into your pipes. This gas is lighter than air and has molecules so tiny they’ll squeeze through the smallest crack – we’re talking leaks that lose less than a teaspoon of water per day. It’s particularly effective for Concrete Slab Leak Detection where pipes run beneath concrete foundations.

The beauty is, this gas can penetrate through virtually any material: concrete slabs, screed, tiles, timber, carpet – you name it. Once it escapes from the leak, it rises straight up to the surface where our advanced gas detection equipment (the Rolls-Royce of leak detection technology) can sniff it out down to just 1 part per million.

When Do You Need Tracer Gas Detection?

🏠 Concrete Floor Slabs

Perfect for leaks beneath solid floors where Acoustic Leak Detection struggles with sound transmission

🔥 Central Heating Systems

Ideal when your boiler keeps losing pressure but Thermal Imaging Leak Detection can’t spot cold water leaks

🚰 Long Pipe Runs

Essential for Underground Water Leak Detection and Mains Water Leak Detection in lengthy supplies

🏊 Swimming Pools

Perfect for Swimming Pool Leak Detection where pump noise makes acoustic methods impossible

How Tracer Gas Works: The Science Made Simple

Tracer gas leak detection process diagram
1
Inject Tracer Gas: We isolate and drain the suspect pipework, then introduce our safe 5% hydrogen/95% nitrogen mixture using calibrated pressure regulators. The gas fills the entire pipe system.
2
Gas Escapes: At the leak point, the tracer gas escapes and rises through any material – concrete, tiles, earth. Being lighter than air, it travels straight up to the surface.
3
Locate Leak: Using our sensitive detection equipment, we systematically scan the area. Where we get the highest reading, that’s your leak – pinpointed to within 10cm accuracy.

Why Choose Tracer Gas Over Other Methods?

Detection MethodBest ForLimitationsAccuracy
Tracer GasAll pipe types, any depthRequires draining pipes99% success rate
AcousticPressurised systemsStruggles with insulated pipes85% success rate
Thermal ImagingHot water leaksUseless for cold water70% success rate
Moisture MetersSurface detectionCan’t trace to source60% success rate

Is Tracer Gas Safe?

Safe tracer gas detection equipment in use

Absolutely. Let me put your mind at rest – I’ve been using this method for decades without a single safety incident. Here’s why it’s completely safe:

  • The 5% hydrogen mixture is well below combustible levels (needs 18% to ignite)
  • It’s certified non-flammable with a green safety label
  • Non-toxic and non-corrosive – safe for drinking water pipes
  • Naturally dissipates quickly once it reaches open air
  • We follow strict British Standard BS EN 13192:2002 procedures
 

The DCI Difference: Why We’re Cornwall & Devon’s Choice

I’ve invested in the best equipment money can buy because in this game, second-rate kit means second-rate results. Our specialist detection equipment is worth every penny when we’re saving you from ripping up your entire ground floor. Whether it’s Central Heating Leak Detection or general Plumbing Leak Services, accuracy is everything.

Professional water leak detection report for insurance claims
 

How Long Does Tracer Gas Detection Take?

Here’s what actually happens when we arrive – though every job’s different:

  • 15-30 minutes: Initial assessment and pipe isolation
  • 20-40 minutes: Draining and gas introduction
  • 30 minutes to 3 hours: Detection and pinpointing (varies greatly)
  • 15 minutes: Report preparation

Total time: 1.5 to 6 hours depending on property size and complexity. A straightforward leak in a semi-detached house might take 2-3 hours, while Commercial Leak Detection in complex properties or multiple leak scenarios can take up to 6 hours. Deep underground pipes (over 4 feet) need longer for the gas to permeate to the surface. Still beats weeks of exploratory digging!

Environmental Impact: The Green Choice

Unlike helium (which is a finite resource we’re actually running out of), hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. Our gas mixture:

  • ✅ Produces zero harmful emissions
  • ✅ Doesn’t deplete natural resources
  • ✅ Prevents water waste by finding leaks fast
  • ✅ Reduces carbon footprint versus excavation

Ready to Find That Hidden Leak?

Stop the guesswork. Stop the damage. Stop the water waste. If you’ve got a leak that’s driving you mad, tracer gas detection is likely your answer. With four decades of experience and the best equipment in the business, we’ll find it.

📞 Call DCI Now: 07822 025 911

Remember: Every day that leak runs is money down the drain and potential damage to your property. One call to DCI Leak Detection could save you thousands.

Providing professional tracer gas leak detection services across Cornwall & Devon including:

Truro • Exeter • Plymouth • Torquay • Newquay • St Austell • Barnstaple • Bodmin • Penzance • Falmouth • Paignton • Camborne • Redruth • Tiverton • Newton Abbot • Helston • Brixham • St Ives • Launceston • Bideford • Liskeard • Saltash • Tavistock • Okehampton • Totnes • Kingsbridge • Wadebridge • Teignmouth • Hayle • Dartmouth

Frequently Asked Question Tracer Gas

What exactly is tracer gas?

Tracer gas is a safe mixture of 5% hydrogen and 95% nitrogen. We chose this specific blend because hydrogen has the smallest molecules of any element – they’re so tiny they can squeeze through gaps just 0.0004mm wide. The nitrogen acts as a carrier gas, keeping the mixture stable and non-flammable.

Absolutely not. The gas is completely non-toxic, non-flammable at this concentration, and approved for use in drinking water systems. It dissipates quickly into the air – within minutes of completing the test. Even if you have birds or fish (often sensitive to gases), they’re perfectly safe.
We can pinpoint leaks to within 10cm accuracy, even through 300mm of concrete. Our equipment detects gas concentrations down to 1 part per million – that’s like finding a single drop of water in a 50-litre tank. In 30+ years, I’ve never had a false positive with properly calibrated equipment.
Yes – copper, plastic (MDPE, PVC, polybutylene), lead, galvanised steel, even old clay drainage pipes. The gas doesn’t care what your pipes are made of. The only requirement is that we can isolate and pressurise the section we’re testing.
Great question! Helium is becoming scarce and costs 4 times more than hydrogen. Plus, hydrogen molecules are actually smaller than helium, making them better at finding tiny leaks. Hydrogen is also renewable – we’re not depleting a finite resource like with helium.
We’ve successfully detected leaks up to 4-5 feet deep through soil. Through concrete, there’s virtually no limit – the gas will find its way up eventually. The deeper the pipe, the longer we run the gas before detection (usually 15-30 minutes per metre of depth).
Our equipment shows concentration levels, so we map the entire area systematically. Multiple leaks show as separate “hot spots” of gas concentration. We’ve found up to 7 leaks in one system – each one clearly identifiable by its gas signature.
Wind can disperse surface gas, making detection slightly harder, but we use windshields on our detectors. Rain actually helps by sealing the ground surface, concentrating the gas escape points. We work in all weather except severe storms – this is Cornwall and Devon after all!
Once we’ve found and fixed your leak, that’s it – the gas leaves no residue and doesn’t damage pipes. However, if you have old pipework (30+ years), we recommend a system check every 5 years as preventive maintenance.
Most home insurance policies with ‘trace and access’ cover will pay for our detection service. We provide detailed reports with photos, gas readings, and precise measurements that insurers rarely question. Always check your policy, but in our experience, 85% of claims are approved.
Everything needed to find your leak: equipment, gas, labour, and a comprehensive report. We also mark the exact leak location and provide repair recommendations. The only extra would be if we need to drill pilot holes in exceptionally thick concrete (over 400mm).

Just ensure we can access your stopcock and any isolation valves. Clear stored items from around your boiler or hot water cylinder. We’ll handle everything else. You don’t need to lift carpets or move furniture – the gas finds its way up regardless.

Absolutely. The process is safe and quiet – no louder than a normal conversation. Many customers watch the process; it’s quite fascinating seeing the detector readings spike when we find the leak. We just ask you keep pets from the immediate work area for their curiosity’s sake!

Tracer gas is perfect for underfloor heating leaks. The gas travels through the screed and up through joints in your flooring. We can map your entire system without lifting a single tile. It’s far less invasive than thermal imaging for these systems.

Not for detection – that’s the whole point! We might drill a few 6mm pilot holes in thick concrete to speed up detection, but these are easily filled. Any digging only happens after we’ve pinpointed the leak, and then it’s minimal – typically just 30cm x 30cm.

Contact Details

DCI Leak Detection Specialist