Leak detection method and apparatus

A method for testing for a possible water leak in a water system, comprising:

• closing all known water usage taps within a part of the water system to be tested;
• closing at least one stop cock or valve of the water system to isolate the part of the water system to be tested from its replacement water source or sources, and any external replacement pressure sources;
• and then
• a) detecting or determining a first pressure P0 within the isolated part of the water system at a sensor connected to the isolated part of the water system;
• detecting or determining a second pressure P1 within the isolated part of the water system at that sensor after a period of time t, and;
• b) releasing and measuring a volume of water VR from the water system out of the isolated part of the water system via a vent connected to the isolated part of the water system, before then closing the vent and detecting or determining a third pressure P2 within the re-isolated part of the water system at that sensor;
• the method further comprising:
• calculating an approximate leaked water loss VL by using the following equation:
• VL=VR*P2(P0−P1)/(P0(P1−P2))
• when using absolute pressures or
• VL=VR*(P2+PAtm)*(P0−P1)/((P0+PAtm)*(P1−P2))
• if instead using gauge pressures, Patm, being the atmospheric pressure where the sensor is located.

A method for testing for leaks in at least a part of a water system with a water leak, comprising:

• closing all known water usage taps within a part of the water system to be tested;
• closing at least one stop cock or valve of the water system to isolate the part of the water system to be tested from its replacement water source, and any external replacement pressure sources;
• and then:
• a) detecting pressures within the isolated part of the water system at a sensor connected to the isolated part of the water system at various intervals for a period of time t long enough to obtain a sequence of pressure readings;
• and
• b) releasing and measuring a volume of water VR from the water system out of the isolated part of the water system via a vent connected to the isolated part of the water system, before then closing the vent, step b) further comprising detecting pressures of either side of that release at that sensor;
• wherein the pressures of either or both of steps a) and b) are extrapolated to approximate two pressures, at a single time-point, the pressures being a pre-water-release pressure P1 and a post-water-release pressure P2, and
• wherein no pressure reset is provided between sets of recordings.