Leak Detection Services CT Archives - ACS Underground Solutions

Beneath the Surface: Unveiling the Comprehensive Services of ACS Underground Solutions

December 11, 2023 by Kathleen Beaver

In the intricate world of construction and development, success often hinges on the ability to navigate the unseen challenges lying beneath the surface. ACS Underground Solutions stands as a beacon of expertise in the realm of subsurface utility engineering, offering a suite of services designed to uncover, map, and manage the complex network of underground utilities. Below, we will explore the diverse range of services provided by ACS Underground Solutions and how they contribute to the success and safety of construction projects.

1. Utility Locating Services: Pioneering Precision

At the core of ACS Underground Solutions’ offerings is its state-of-the-art utility locating services. Traditional methods of relying solely on as-built drawings are outdated and prone to inaccuracies. ACS employs cutting-edge technologies such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locators to provide precise and comprehensive utility mapping. This crucial step ensures that construction projects can proceed without the risk of accidental damage to vital underground infrastructure, including water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, and sewer systems.

2. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR): Seeing Beyond the Surface

The use of GPR represents a paradigm shift in utility locating. This non-invasive technology allows ACS Underground Solutions to create detailed images of subsurface structures, providing a clear view of what lies beneath the surface. GPR is particularly effective in identifying variations in material composition, making it an invaluable tool for detecting utilities, voids, and anomalies with unparalleled accuracy.

3. Concrete Scanning: Safeguarding Structural Integrity

In addition to utility locating, ACS Underground Solutions offers concrete scanning services. This involves using GPR technology to assess the internal structure of concrete elements, ensuring that construction activities do not compromise the integrity of existing structures. From identifying rebar and post-tension cables to locating voids and conduits, concrete scanning is a critical service for any project involving excavation or renovation.

4. Vacuum Excavation: A Gentle Touch in Precision Digging

Digging in densely populated underground areas requires a delicate touch to avoid damaging existing utilities. ACS Underground Solutions employs vacuum excavation, a non-destructive method that uses high-pressure water to break up soil and a vacuum system to extract the debris. This approach allows for precise digging without the risk of damaging nearby utilities, making it an ideal solution for projects with a high concentration of subsurface infrastructure.

5. Sewer Camera Inspection: Navigating the Depths of Sewer Systems

Navigating the intricate network of sewer lines demands a specialized approach. ACS Underground Solutions utilizes sewer camera inspection services to visually inspect sewer lines and identify issues such as blockages, leaks, and structural damage. This proactive measure not only aids in preventing potential disasters but also facilitates targeted repairs and maintenance, ensuring the longevity of sewer systems.

6. Utility Mapping and GIS Integration: A Comprehensive Approach

Beyond locating utilities, ACS Underground Solutions goes the extra mile by providing utility mapping services with GIS integration. This involves creating detailed maps that highlight the precise location of underground utilities. The integration with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allows for efficient data management, analysis, and visualization. This comprehensive approach empowers construction teams with the information needed to make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

7. Environmental Monitoring: Responsible Construction Practices

As a company committed to sustainability, ACS Underground Solutions incorporates environmental monitoring into its services. This involves assessing the environmental impact of construction activities, particularly concerning potential spills or leaks from damaged utility lines. By adopting responsible construction practices, ACS contributes to minimizing the environmental footprint of construction projects.

In the intricate dance of construction and development, ACS Underground Solutions takes center stage, providing a symphony of services that harmonize precision, safety, and efficiency. From pioneering utility locating with advanced technologies to safeguarding structural integrity through concrete scanning and vacuum excavation, ACS is the go-to partner for any project that delves into the depths below. Contact ACS today to learn more about our services and how we can help you!

Detecting Underground HVAC Leaks: A Comprehensive Guide

November 3, 2023 by ACS Underground

When it comes to your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, detecting underground leaks can be a challenging task. These leaks can lead to a loss in efficiency, increased energy bills, and potential damage to your property. To maintain the optimal performance of your HVAC system, it’s crucial to know how to detect and address underground leaks promptly. In this blog, we’ll explore some effective methods for detecting underground HVAC leaks, helping you save money and preserve your equipment.

High Utility Bills

One of the first signs that you may have an underground HVAC leak is a sudden increase in your utility bills. If your heating or cooling system is working harder to maintain the desired temperature, it could indicate that you’re losing refrigerant through an underground leak. Keep an eye on your monthly energy bills and look for significant, unexplained spikes.

Decreased System Efficiency

Another indicator of an underground HVAC leak is a decrease in your system’s efficiency. If your HVAC system is taking longer to heat or cool your space, it may be struggling due to a refrigerant leak. Inefficient performance can lead to discomfort and overworking your HVAC system, potentially shortening its lifespan.

Ice or Frost Accumulation

If you notice ice or frost accumulating on the refrigerant lines, it’s a strong sign that you have a leak. Refrigerant leaks cause a drop in pressure within the system, which can lead to freezing of the surrounding components. If you see ice forming on the refrigerant lines, it’s time to investigate further.

Strange Hissing Sounds

An underground HVAC leak can sometimes manifest as a hissing sound near the refrigerant lines or the indoor unit. This noise is the result of refrigerant escaping from the system. If you hear a continuous hissing sound, it’s essential to contact a professional HVAC technician to identify and address the issue.

Dying Plants or Vegetation

In some cases, an underground HVAC leak can affect the surrounding vegetation. Leaking refrigerant may release harmful chemicals into the soil, damaging plants and causing them to wither. If you notice dead or dying plants near your HVAC system, consider it a red flag for an underground leak.

Odor and Visual Inspection

Performing a visual inspection of your HVAC system and the surrounding area can also help you detect underground leaks. Look for signs of oil or refrigerant residue around the equipment. Some refrigerants have distinct odors, so if you notice any unusual smells around your HVAC system, it could be an indication of a leak.

Professional Inspection

When you suspect an underground HVAC leak, it’s essential to call a professional HVAC technician to conduct a thorough inspection. These experts have the knowledge, tools, and experience to pinpoint the exact location of the leak and recommend the appropriate repairs. Attempting to fix the issue yourself can lead to further complications and may not address the root cause effectively.

Detecting underground HVAC leaks is essential for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of your heating and cooling system. Keep an eye on your utility bills, look out for efficiency drops, and pay attention to visual and auditory clues. If you suspect a leak, do not hesitate to call a professional HVAC technician to address the issue promptly. By detecting and fixing underground leaks in a timely manner, you can save money on energy bills and ensure the comfort of your indoor space while reducing your environmental impact.

CALL US TODAY AT 203-544-7190 TO SCHEDULE A LEAK DETECTION SERVICE IN CONNECTICUT

Non-destructive Leak Detection for Radiant Heat Floors

July 13, 2021 by ACS Underground

Radiant heat floors can bring such a cozy feel to your home, especially during cold winter months. And they open the option for using a variety of materials in your flooring materials, such as slate, that you might not otherwise consider due to how cold these materials get.

But the catch with radiant heat floors is that they require heating water tubes. So if the heating water tubes start leaking, you might only know that your floors aren’t as warm as they used to be. To fix the issue, you might need to remove the entire floor unless you use gaseous leak detection and a thermal camera to assess the issue.

ACS Underground Solutions has extensive experience in assessing radiant heat flooring to limit destruction when repairing these floors.

We’ll explain how these methods work, the benefits they provide homeowners and how to schedule your assessment today.

Finding Leaks in Radiant Heat Floors Without Destruction

Radiant Heat Floor water tubes are often within the cement subfloor or directly beneath your flooring material, depending on your home’s structure. You might be able to spot an approximate leak location based on damage to your flooring material. But in other cases, the leak doesn’t permeate or impact your flooring material, making it challenging to find.

If you don’t find the leak, you could end up with mold, mildew, rot or even insect infestations within your floors.

We offer two methods for detecting these leaks. The first is through using gaseous leak detection. This works in the following way.

We fill your Radiant Heat pipes with a safe gas.
The gas will seep out of the same location where fluid is leaking out of your pipes, but it will rise to the surface where we can detect it.
Using a special sniffing device, we’ll locate with near perfection the location of your leak.

Alternatively, we’ll use a thermal camera to show us where the leak is. This camera detects temperatures to show us hot areas of your floor versus cooler areas. We then use this information to guide us to the problem areas where your lines are leaking.

Benefits of Non-destructive Radiant Heat Floor Failure Detection Methods

The most obvious benefit of using these non-invasive, non-destructive methods for detecting issues with your radiant heat floors is that you don’t have to fully remove the floors to locate the issue. But there are several other benefits of using these methods.

Faster fix to get you back to enjoying your floors
Lower cost than removing the floors to find the issue
Reduce damage to your flooring by finding leaks fast

ACS Underground Solutions offers 24/7 service to help you avoid costly long-term damage to your home when your Radiant Heat Floors leak or fail. Contact us immediately at 203-544-7190 if you suspect an issue with your floors in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

ACS UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS | Non-destructive Leak Detection for Radiant Heat Floors

ACS Underground Solutions has been in business since 1997 and we continue to serve our clients during COVID 19 with the CDC safety guidance put in place. Give ACS Underground Solutions a call at 203-544-7190 to find out more about our services. Our office staff is available Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm to answer your questions and schedule an appointment. We are a private family owned consulting company with decades of experience and deep expertise in Water Line Leak Detection, Underground Utility Locating with GPR, Underground Storage Tank Locating, Concrete Imaging & Scanning, Drain Pipe Inspections and Infrared Thermal Imaging Services. ACS Underground Solutions serves Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Detecting Leaks in Non-metallic Water Supply Lines

April 20, 2021 by ACS Underground

Many potable water supply lines are made of non-metallic material because it doesn’t pass lead into the water supply and doesn’t carry the risk of corrosion.

And while these pipes might be good for the health of local residents, they make it more challenging to find water line leaks.

That’s because the most common method for finding leaks is acoustic. Using acoustic leak detection, professionals use microphones and listening devices to listen for changes in the water’s flow through the pipes.

Metallic pipes produce greater sound when the water goes through them than non-metallic pipes. So while it’s not impossible to use acoustic methods to detect water leaks in non-metallic pipes, it’s certainly more challenging.

We’ll review common commercial and residential water supply line materials and methods for detecting even the smallest leak in these non-metallic pipes.

What Are Common Non-metallic Water Line Materials?

Construction crews and utility companies use a variety of water line materials. Each has its pros and cons, but the main goal is to keep residents safe by protecting the drinkability of the water. Here are some common non-metallic water line materials.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Polyethylene high-density (PEHD)
PCV lines

These materials are generally lighter and simpler for construction teams to install and maintain.

Using Gas Testing to Find Leaks in Non-metallic Water Lines

When you can’t see or hear leaks in your water lines, how can you remedy the situation? The answer is to use tracer gas testing to sniff out the leak location to solve the issue with as little destruction and cost as possible.

Sometimes a leak is so small that it makes no noise even with metallic water pipes. In these cases, tracer gas can detect extremely small leaks to prevent them from growing into a larger problem. The pipes do not have to be empty for this method to work.

Using gaseous leak detection methods, we can inject a tracer gas into the water line under pressure to sniff out the leak. The gas will leak out of even the smallest openings in the waterline. Gas will escape faster than water does.

As the gas leaks out of the pipe, it will rise to the surface of the ground where we can then use sensors that sniff out the gas to tell us where the leak is located.

Now you have a clear understanding of where to dig to fix the water leak so that you don’t tear up large sections of your backyard, roadway, new development or business landscaping. The tracer gas sensors can get us within a few inches of the water leak.

For 24/7 service, contact ACS Underground Solutions. We’ll schedule your leak detection service and advise on the best methods to locate and resolve your water line leaks. You can also reach us by phone at 203-544-7190. We serve Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

ACS UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS | Detecting Leaks in Non-metallic Water Supply Lines

WHY YOUR CONNECTICUT HOME OR BUSINESS NEEDS LEAK DETECTION

July 1, 2019 by ACS Underground

We all know the importance of building maintenance inside and out to ensure the proper functioning and reliability of your home or business. Yet often overlooked is the health of a building’s water pipes (out of sight, out of mind as the saying goes). At ACS Underground Solutions, we’re here to remind you that leak detection is extremely important.

Maybe you’ve noticed a higher water bill and don’t know the cause – So schedule a leak detection service to prevent problems and diagnose any existing issues in your Connecticut home or business. Don’t wait until you have a water leak or a main break to have your pipes inspected. Problems in pipes may not be seen (also known as hidden leaks) which can wreak havoc.

YOU MAY BE WONDERING: DO I REALLY NEED A LEAK DETECTION SERVICE?

Yes. According to Medium, “…hiring water leak detection services is important if you want to safeguard your investments.”

Consider leak detection as a preventative step with the following advantages:

Ensures water system efficiency & gives peace of mind
Prevents unnecessary excavations & can catch problems early on
Helps prevent excess water damage to the building & surrounding buildings
Promotes conservation of water & prevents excess water bills
Promotes safety of water by preventing contaminants from broken pipes
Prevents interruptions to business due to water leak issues

WHAT KIND OF LEAKS CAN ACS UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS FIND?

In addition to major water line leak detection,ACS Underground Solutions can handle:

Any pipe that can be pressurized
Air conditioning line leak detection
Chilled water line leak detection
Emergency leak detection
Fire sprinkler leak detection
High Temperature Hot Water (HTHW) leak detection
Ice skating rink leak detection
Irrigation system leak detection
Radiant heat leak detection
Ric-Wil jacketed pipe leak detection
Snow melt system leak detection
Steam leak detection
Swimming pool leak detection
Water main break leak detection
Well water line leak detection

HOW IS A WATER LEAK DETECTED?

Using noninvasive technology, our technicians at ACS Underground Solutions can identify and mark the precise location of water leaks.

The method of identifying water leaks is based on the location and situation but our most common ways include acoustic, gaseous, noise logger and/or thermal imaging, or a combination of methods. Most leak detections worldwide are acoustic in some way, but depending on the environment surrounding the line, we can utilize a combination of instruments to ensure the accuracy of findings.

Contact our team here or call 203-544-7190 to discuss leak detection services for your Connecticut property.

ACS UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS | WATER LINE LEAK DETECTION SERVICES IN CT

Avoid excess damage and unforeseen issues with a water line leak detection in CT by ACS Underground Solutions

ACS Underground Solutions has been serving residential and commercial clients since 1997 and can accurately and thoroughly detect leaks, even if they are hidden. In addition to Leak Detection in Connecticut, ACS offers Concrete Imaging & Scanning, Infrared Thermal Imaging Services, Underground Storage Tank (UST) Locating, Underground Utility Locating with GPR, and Video Pipe Inspection.

Areas served include Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Contact us online or call us at 203-544-7190 to learn more about our services.

Why Leak Detection Should Be Caught Early

April 2, 2019 by ACS Underground

ACS Underground Solutions has years of experience in water leak detection and prevention for CT, NY, NJ, MA, and RI residential and commercial properties, so when we say watch out for water leaks – we mean it! Keep an eye out for these warning signs: an increase in the water bill, a continuously ticking water meter, mold and mildew, foundation cracks, or wet spots.

Imagine noticing a small water leak warning sign and ignoring it, only for the leak to cause damage over time or get out of control. At this point you’d not only need to fix the initial cause of the leak but also the resulting water damage.

So stop the problem before it gets out of hand by contacting ACS Underground Solutions for water line leak detection services. Unfortunately most property owners don’t realize the risk they’re taking when they overlook water leak warning signs that can save them time and money.

REASONS WHY WATER LEAKS SHOULD BE CAUGHT EARLY AND TAKEN SERIOUSLY:

PREVENT EXCESS DAMAGE & REPAIR COSTS

Early detection is key. A minor water leak can turn into a major problem if left unattended. By detecting and repairing a water leak early, you can save on damage control and costs.

PREVENT STANDING WATER

If the water leak continues for a long period of time or worsens, there’s the risk of standing water and with it the risk of damage to anything in its path.

PREVENT HEALTH RISKS

Water leaks can create continuous areas of moisture ripe with mold and mildew growth. This puts the property’s inhabitants and visitors at risk for health safety. Another health risk caused by leaking pipes is contaminated water.

PREVENT ELECTRICAL DAMAGE

Water and electricity do not mix. Any leak puts electrical systems at risk when in contact, and a catastrophic power surge can hurt both people and devices.

PREVENT LIABILITY RISK & INSURANCE CLAIMS

A preventable leak that causes serious damage can pose a huge liability issue not only for your own property but for any other properties that it may affect.

PREVENT WATER WASTE

According to the EPA, “household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide.” That’s the equivalence of the annual household use of 11 million homes. Remember that a small leak can have a big impact.

Water leaks can be discreet and if not repaired in time can wreak havoc on your property, belongings, safety, and even the property of others. If you think you have a water leak, ACS Underground will find the cause and suggest the best solution to fix it. We’re open 24/7 and can be reached at 203-544-7190. Click to learn more about our water leak detection services in CT, NY, NJ, MA, and RI.

ACS UNDERGROUND SOLUTIONS | LEAK DETECTION SERVICES

ACS Underground Solutions has been in business since 1997, we have located leaks and other underground utility issues for hundreds of commercial and residential customers. Our experience enables us to provide the most qualified professionals available in the industry. Give ACS Underground Solutions a call at 203-544-7190 to find out more about our leak detection services. Our office staff is available Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm to answer your questions and schedule an appointment. We are a private family owned consulting company with decades of experience and deep expertise in Water Line Leak Detection, Underground Utility Locating with GPR, Underground Storage Tank Locating, Concrete Imaging & Scanning, Drain Pipe Inspections and Infrared Thermal Imaging Services. ACS Underground Solutions serves Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.