Location Transport

How do I detect the location of a leak?

I have a leak in an underground sprinkler pipe. It's only in one station and the only evidence is that when that particular station turns on there is an incredible drop in pressure. This station has sprinklers running along the perimeter of our property. I cannot find any other visible evidence of this leak, only the drop in pressure. Other than digging up all the way along this station I can't think of any other way to detect the location of the leak. Any ideas? I've already checked all the sprinkler heads on this station and also replaced the valve recently. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Sorry, but get out your shovel.
2. take a pointed stick and poke it in the ground. as the stick gets wetter the closer to the leak you are
3. depending on how deep it is you could run a dye through it or a poison that would kill the grass where it leaks. I dont know man I am just throwing it out there...good luck.
4. get a mechanics stethascope from your local auto store and stick it in the ground along the section......closer you get to the leak the louder the hiss will be...just some ideas....where a swimsuit as you'll need the zone active to hear the leak...if you can cap off the heads temp ..you can also pressurize the line and make it easier..just depends how much work your willing to do to find the leak...with out diggin up the whole zone... cheers
5. All of the answers of Dye, listening, stick poking, and pressure checking. It is up to you on which you would do. Look a greener area in the yard, as it will be getting more water then the rest of the yard. Look at the heads while they are doing the job some should have less of an envelope over the area.
6. Divining rod. Willow usually works best. Or...pressurize the line with an air compressor and see where you hear a hiss.
7. it should be wetter where the leak is.