Tracking down leaks quickly and accurately has always been one of the biggest challenges in plumbing. Traditional methods often involve trial and error, cutting into walls or floors just to locate the problem. Not only is this time-consuming, but it also leads to unnecessary property damage. Fortunately, professional plumbers now have access to advanced leak Read more
gas

Tracking down leaks quickly and accurately has always been one of the biggest challenges in plumbing. Traditional methods often involve trial and error, cutting into walls or floors just to locate the problem. Not only is this time-consuming, but it also leads to unnecessary property damage. Fortunately, professional plumbers now have access to advanced leak detection tools that make the process faster, more precise and far less invasive.
Today’s modern techniques eliminate guesswork, allowing tradesmen to identify leaks before they cause significant damage. Whether working in homes, businesses or large-scale municipal plumbing systems, staying ahead of these advancements gives professionals the edge they need.

Why Advanced Leak Detection is a Game-Changer
Integrating advanced leak detection tools into daily operations offers plumbers a major advantage. These cutting-edge technologies help tradesmen:
- Diagnose Leaks Faster: Finding leaks quickly leads to faster repairs and higher customer satisfaction.
- Minimize Property Damage: Non-invasive techniques prevent unnecessary destruction of walls, floors and other structures.
- Reduce Costs: Early leak detection prevents severe water damage, reducing repair expenses for homeowners and businesses.
- Build a Stronger Reputation: Offering state-of-the-art solutions positions plumbers as industry leaders and trusted experts.
For plumbing professionals looking to improve efficiency, accuracy and customer trust, investing in these technologies is a smart move.
Innovations in Leak Detection
Thermal Imaging Cameras: Finding Leaks Without Damage
Thermal imaging has changed the way leaks are detected, allowing plumbers to locate hidden moisture without cutting into walls or floors. These cameras detect temperature variations, highlighting areas where water is escaping.
By speeding up diagnosis and reducing property damage, thermal imaging improves efficiency and prevents minor leaks from becoming costly disasters. Whether dealing with radiant heating systems, concealed pipes or underground water lines, this non-invasive technology provides a smarter way to pinpoint leaks.
Acoustic Leak Detectors: Finding Leaks by Sound
For pressurized plumbing systems, acoustic leak detectors provide unmatched precision. These tools use sensitive microphones to amplify the sound of water escaping from pipes, even when hidden behind walls or underground.
Acoustic detection reduces disruption by identifying leaks without unnecessary digging. It’s highly effective for residential plumbing, gas lines and large-scale municipal systems, where early detection prevents excessive water loss and expensive repairs.
Drone Inspections: Reaching New Heights in Leak Detection
Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and infrared sensors are changing large-scale plumbing inspections. They provide detailed images of rooftops, water mains and underground systems, helping plumbers detect leaks faster.
By eliminating risky manual inspections and improving accuracy, drones enhance maintenance efforts while reducing downtime. Municipal water departments, industrial facilities and commercial properties are already benefiting from this cutting-edge approach.
Hydrostatic Pressure Testing: Detecting Leaks in Water and Sewer Lines
Hydrostatic pressure testing is a powerful tool for detecting leaks in water and sewer lines. By pressurizing a pipe system with water and monitoring pressure levels, plumbers can quickly determine if there is a leak. If the pressure drops, it signals a problem in the system.
This method is highly effective for testing underground pipes, slab leaks and sewer lines without unnecessary excavation. By identifying leaks early, hydrostatic testing helps prevent extensive damage and costly repairs.
Smart Leak Detection Sensors: Real-Time Monitoring for Early Detection
Smart leak detection sensors are revolutionizing the plumbing industry by providing real-time monitoring for homes and businesses. These sensors are installed near potential problem areas – such as under sinks, near water heaters and along pipelines – to detect moisture and alert homeowners or maintenance teams immediately.
With Wi-Fi connectivity and app-based notifications, these sensors provide an added layer of protection by catching leaks before they become major issues. They are particularly useful in commercial buildings, apartment complexes and industrial facilities where early detection can prevent significant water damage and financial loss.
Smarter Leak Detection for Modern Plumbing
Finding leaks no longer has to mean guesswork and unnecessary damage. With smarter, more precise detection methods, plumbers can diagnose issues faster, cut down on costly repairs and provide a seamless experience for customers. These advancements aren’t just about efficiency – they’re about setting a higher standard for service.
By embracing cutting-edge technology, plumbers can stay ahead of the competition, build trust with clients and tackle even the toughest leaks with confidence.
AUTHOR BIO: Leslie Erickson is the Marketing Manager at Air Mechanical. She has been working for Air Mechanical for most of her life and specializes in marketing. She is dedicated to bringing customers the best experience possible for their family and their homes.

General Pipe Cleaners will be showcasing latest drain cleaning technologies at WWETT25 Show in Indianapolis General Pipe Cleaners ushers in their 95th anniversary, by raffling off one Flexi-Rooter® 100 flexible shaft drain cleaner a day at the 2025 WWETT Show! Booth #6561. (You must stop by General’s Booth to enter!) Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis IN. Feb 18-20, 2025 Read more
General Pipe Cleaners will be showcasing latest drain cleaning technologies at WWETT25 Show in Indianapolis
General Pipe Cleaners ushers in their 95th anniversary, by raffling off one Flexi-Rooter® 100 flexible shaft drain cleaner a day at the 2025 WWETT Show!
- Booth #6561. (You must stop by General’s Booth to enter!)
- Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis IN.
- Feb 18-20, 2025.
In addition to the popular, powerful Flexi-Rooter 100, General will highlight its whole, respected range of rugged, reliable drain cleaning, inspection, and repair equipment – including cable machines and Jet-Set® electric, gas, and trailer water jets.

The innovative Flexi-Rooter 100 offers:
- A stronger flexible shaft – with muscle to shred roots in 4” lines and flexibility to navigate 2” pipes.
- Integral variable speed motor with handy foot pedal control – for safe, “two hands” operation guiding the flexible shaft through lines.
- Pioneering, two-part cleaning array – pairing General’s unique ClogChopper® cutters with carbide chain cutters for awesome clog-clearing capability.
Jet-Set water jets slice through grease, sludge, sand, ice, and other “soft” stoppages that many cable drain cleaners can’t clear. As nozzle thrust drives the hose down lines, it unleashes high-pressure, wall-to-wall pipe cleaning action – pulverizing blockages and flushing them away.
General’s rugged, reliable water jets are excellent for clearing clogs in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, factories, schools, sports arenas, care facilities, shopping centers, waste treatment plants, septic systems, and more!
Make sure you also visit Booth #6561 – and enter to win a Flexi-Rooter 100!
Can’t make the show? General’s mobile-friendly www.drainbrain.com website offers quick, easy, intuitive access to its full line of drain cleaning, water jetting, and inspection systems. Or call the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 for more information.

U.S. Boiler Company has released the new Alta Combi boiler, the industry’s first and only gas-adaptive combi boiler with 10:1 turndown. The all-new Alta Combi high efficiency condensing boiler offers best in class, next-generation gas adaptive technology that provides the shortest installation time and lowest operating costs. The powerful gas-adaptive technology offers true “no touch” Read more
U.S. Boiler Company has released the new Alta Combi boiler, the industry’s first and only gas-adaptive combi boiler with 10:1 turndown.
The all-new Alta Combi high efficiency condensing boiler offers best in class, next-generation gas adaptive technology that provides the shortest installation time and lowest operating costs. The powerful gas-adaptive technology offers true “no touch” combustion setup. There are no manual throttle or offset adjustments. Engineered for five-minute start-up, the boiler’s control system provides continuous, automatic self-calibration of burner combustion by adapting to component wear, variations in fuel, environment, and vent air pressure to provide safe, efficient, and clean combustion at all times.

Converting from natural gas to LP is simple. No additional parts or conversion kits are needed. The Alta also includes a sensor-less reset, which performs the functions of a conventional outdoor reset without the need to install an outside sensor.
Domestic hot water response time is virtually instantaneous. Domestic hot water temperatures are maintained under all demand conditions, and the unit’s DHW recirculation system can be set to either economy or comfort mode.
At 95% AFUE, The Alta Combi is currently available with 136 MBH DHW input (3.7 GPM) / 120 MBH heating input. However, stay tuned! U.S. Boiler Company will be releasing a larger Alta Combi boiler (200 MBH DHW / 150 heating) and numerous heating-only Alta models (80, 120, 150 and 180 MBH) later this year.
Each Alta comes with value-added components and features, including an AltaFastPipe primary/secondary piping assembly, lift-away front and side panels for three-sided access, boiler flow safety switch (UL353) and display indicator, ProPress compatibility and a five-year parts warranty.
For more information, please visit www.usboiler.net

A. O. Smith (www.hotwater.com) has announced the launch of the Cyclone® LV, a large volume commercial water heater which rounds out the company’s industry-leading Cyclone family of high-efficiency gas products. A. O. Smith created the LV model to serve the needs of facilities that require large storage for jobs with critical load requirements. The Cyclone Read more
A. O. Smith (www.hotwater.com) has announced the launch of the Cyclone® LV, a large volume commercial water heater which rounds out the company’s industry-leading Cyclone family of high-efficiency gas products.
A. O. Smith created the LV model to serve the needs of facilities that require large storage for jobs with critical load requirements. The Cyclone LV model’s modulating process adjusts the burner’s firing rate to a specific demand, which allows for a highly efficient performance of up to 96% thermal efficiency while dramatically lowering operating costs. Available in 220- and 250-gallon capacities, these units allow engineers to specify two Cyclone LV units where they would have previously needed four Cyclone Mxi® units.
“The Cyclone family revolutionized the market in 1996 and provided innovation that we continue to build on today,” said Matt Schulz, senior product manager for commercial new products at A. O. Smith. “Cyclone LV models combine popular BTU inputs with new larger storage capacity. With the larger storage capacity a single LV unit can be used in place of multiple standard tanks freeing up space.”
Cyclone LV products feature advanced electronic control with built-in diagnostics and free iCOMM™ remote monitoring. LV models are designed for maneuverability and ease of installation due to their lightweight design.