Comments on: Air Testing Water Pipes On Winterized Properties

By: Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:47:16 +0000

Sound testing? When you say ‘sound’, I’m assuming you mean good, solid, high quality testing, right?

When we do an air test, we’re just checking to see if it holds pressure at all. When there has been freeze damage to pipes, it’s impossible to get any pressure at all. If a house passes an air test, it doesn’t mean things won’t leak… it’s just a way to help lower the potential for water damage when the water is turned back on.

By: s2

s2 — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:21:29 +0000

i have i a question, what should be the recomended time for sound testing copper tube pipe work? thanks

By: Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:31:06 +0000

I’ve never gone any further than the pressure test. I’ve heard that using a stethoscope on the walls to listen for air leaking is effective, but if the air compressor is located inside the house, forget it.

By: Will Engster

Will Engster — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:25:51 +0000

If the pressure does not hold, how do you find the leak if there isn’t water in the lines??

By: Charlene

Charlene — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:07:23 +0000

Good morning. I have a few air pressure gauges for water lines for sale. After several attempts to purchase one through MFS Supply (they are always out of stock & cost $50+ after tax & shipping), I gave up and created my own. If interested, please send me an email at absolutepres@gmail.com for pricing info. Thanks!

By: Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:58:27 +0000

Chris – even a small split in a pipe would cause no pressure. Missing pipes… definitely.

By: Chris Sikora

Chris Sikora — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 02:08:28 +0000

I have a question. I was looking at a house and the realtor told me their might be some pipe damage so I had an inspection on a house and he pressure tested the pipes and had no pressure. After the fact I checked the sink in the bathroom and the pipes were gone. Could this cause the test to have absolutely no pressure? It was on the opposite side of the house.

By: air pressure in water pipe | my avia blog

air pressure in water pipe | my avia blog — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:32:41 +0000

[...] Air Pressure Testing On Water Pipes | Reuben's Home Inspection Blog Mar 31, 2009 … I recently had a friend ask me if I could do an air test on the water pipes of a bank-owned home … [...]

By: DVD Cleaner :

DVD Cleaner : — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:59:17 +0000

we always use air compressors in spray painting and also in blowing off those hardened dust on our home”-`

By: Reuben Saltzman

Reuben Saltzman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:19:46 +0000

I’ve been at one house while it was being winterized, and I didn’t pay much attention to what they were doing.

The guys that were winterizing the house seemed to be doing something like that with a compressor, but I know there is method to it (and I don’t know what it is). I’ve also inspected many houses that were improperly winterized by some hack with a compressor, so I would ask someone that winterizes properties for a living, or a good plumber. Good luck!