How sensitive are your pressure tests is a question we are sometimes asked? I would say very!!
New mains pressure testing is vital before mains chlorination begins. If water can get out, then contamination can get in, so it is pointless chlorinating a new main until you are sure that there are no issues.
This pipe looked ok as it is barrier pipe and as such all the joints were wrapped. However, after analysing our pressure tests things just didn’t look right and we were convinced there was a leak. After running the test again to be sure we went hunting. Joints are generally the areas of concern so we stripped off the tape protecting the joints and found this tiny weep on the pipe.
This pipe would have eventually failed and would have resulted in significant costs to the client as well as stress, disruption to users and inconvenience due to excavations. Whilst any leak is unwelcome it is much better to find them at this stage, which is why it is important to employ a mains pressure testing and chlorination company that has the both the knowledge and experience to find these issues.