PEX system leak. How do I find it?

Designie

Designie

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I have just finished roughing out the plumbing on my new house using PEX. I did a pressure check on the cold using a gage and ran it up to 60 lbs. It held the whole day and then was down only a couple lbs. in the morning, probably due to the temp.

When I checked the hot I ran it up to the same 60 lbs, and within about 5 minutes it had lost a lb or 2. So i waited a while and sure enough, it was down about 5 lbs. So I re-pressurized it to 80 lbs. and waited. It is losing pressure at about 10 lbs. an hour.

I tried listening for a leak and checked every valve and fitting and could not audibly find a leak. Is there some technique I can use to try and locate where I am losing pressure?

Thanks!!
 
I use an ultrasonic leak detector when testing with air. It picks them up from about 20' away.
 
This is where a manifold system makes life easier, you can shut off individual branches to help isolate things. One of the pros must have run into this, and may have some ideas.
 
I have it set up as a modular system, with each room on it's own 3/4 supply lead with a valve. So I can start by closing all but one zone, then check pressure. I still can't believe that I can't hear the air. I put my ear right next to every fitting I have!
 
why not just charge the system with water, it's not like you're going to have to solder to repair the leak and the leak will become self evident.
 
I would never go anywhere without a 1 gallon pump up sprayer filled with 90% water and 10% dish soap. Instant tire, gas, pipe, leak detector on the cheap. Damn handy portable sink on the job too.

Keep another one with diesel for parts cleaning, and a third with bleach for cleaning up the nasty stuff.
 
I just buy the quart bottles of kid's bubble solution from the dollar store. The glycerine in it makes the solution stick to the joints a lot longer than soap, so even a very small leak will usually be very evident after a few minutes.
 
Well, I was able to locate the room with the leak. I closed each room's supply valve and it was the last room on the line, the master bedroom. So I have isolated the room, but still have not found which fitting has the leak. So it has to be one of 2 vanity supplies, tub supply (which has a test plug installed) or the shower valve connection (or valve itself).
 
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