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  Jacob Durand December 7, 2009 at 6:03pm

  Thanks for all the great information everyone!! It's been a huge help
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  brian thomas December 5, 2009 at 9:22pm

  I started doing leak detection after finding out there were a lot of companies out there doing and not producing what your paying for there is also some that charge in the thousands to show up. At that point I called Anderson leak tools and bought a package (the basic service route kit) and away I went I set up a few jobs, and gave people a garauntee that no find no pay, it works as more insentive to find the leak and fix the leak. It also helped me grow the leak portion of my business.
  
  Now I have double the amount of plugs for commercials and up to 4'' for main drains. One thing I found to be helpful though is buying a new compressor that holds the air instead of a constant flow, and one thats adjustable I found mine in Home Depot made by DeWalt I love it because theres no noise interference with electronic listening device, because the tank fills then turns off. I also bought the Ridgid Camera which is handy when the need occurs.
  
  One thing Im still thinking about is the helium detector and the line tracer as it is sometimes diffcult to track down the line and find some leaks that have been leaking for a long period of time and no one did anything so it washes out the dirt or on occasion it has a crack the length of the pipe.
  
  One thing I use for light conduit breaks is "light counduit plugs" from horizon pool and spa parts or online at http://www.poolcenter.com/leak_detection.htm so check it out for the plugs. Also the cheapest place and most knowledgable is still Anderson at leaktools.com call them and the will help to set you up. They have also found some of the best products I have ever used in general for pools i.e. kwik couplings, plast-aid, and many other products.
  
  Jeremy I thought of a dry suit but wound up with a wet suit and payed $20.00 for it from Divers Direct down here in the florida keys so check them out online at diversdirect.com they usually have free shipping. P.S. I still can only stand it to about 55-60 degrees after they can call someone else or wait.
  
  I hope this helps you
  Brian
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  Bruce Hudson December 4, 2009 at 2:13pm

  My gear is pretty primative, but works well enough to find the majority of leaks. The only listening device I own is geophones that 10 yrs. ago were $425.00. I carry threaded plugs, pneumatic test balls, and solid rubber plugs that have a screw through the center, and some other variations of the thread-to-tighten type. Test balls are a bit pricey but indispencable in some situations.
  
  My pressure rig is homemade and very versatile. In seconds in can be adapted to thread into 1/8" pipe up to 3/4" pipe, but something less sophisticated will work as well. I have found that a simple PVC rig with a 3/4" male thread will attach somewhere in most systems. Here's what you will need:
  
  1/2" hose bib
  3/4" tee
  3/4" male adapter
  3/4" x 1/2" reducer
  3/4" x1/4" reducer
  0-60 psi guage
  Female x female garden hose adapter
  It is also helpfull to have a garden hose ball valve or better yet, a double valved Y. This simple addition upstream of the hose bib keeps you from having to go all the way back to the water source to relieve pressure.
  
  Really no need to jump into leak detction in a big way at first if you don't want to. Just enough stuff to help your established customers resolve their problems. Even a small amount of equip. though can approach $1000.00.
  
  You can also start with a simple tire pump instead of a comressor. You will want to add an extension to your pump hose. They are available from the local plumbing supply in 3 ft. lengths if your pool supplier does not carry them.
  
  Plug types and options are many and all have their niche. My inventory consists of various plug types from 1/2" to 3" These will cover a large segment of the residential market.
  
  As you do more locates, your imagination will soar and all the cool stuff in the catalogs will make more sense and you will just "have to have it", but my recommendation for the tech wanting to expand what they do, is to start slow.
  
  The trade shows offer some very informative seminars that can get you started with concepts, techniques, and tools.
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  Jeremy Hine December 4, 2009 at 6:05am

  There does appear to be a large enough market for this service. Just takes a lot of investment in the tools and time for learning.
  
  I've been on many equipment repair calls where I wish i had the gear and knowledge. I've got syringe, dye, epoxy for the leaks I can reach from the deck like the leaks at skimmers, lights, jets. I just got a micro explorer by Ridgid camera to look in headers, and plugged lines. I've been scouring the web for a used drysuit. last couple of weeks. Breathing gear is gonna have to wait till next year and perhaps I can go after a piece or two of the listening equipment.
  
  -Jeremy
  -I fix broken pools,spas, and hot tubs
  Florida Leisure Pool & Spa
  www.FLLeisure.com

  Florida Leisure Pool, Spa, Hot Tub Repair, Pumps, Filters, Heaters, Salt Chlorinators, Automation

  We repair pools, spas and hot tubs, pumps, motors, heaters, filters, automation equipment in Gainesville and North Central FL
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  ALLEN HUNZEKER December 4, 2009 at 5:35am

  HOW PATIENT ARE YOU? I'VE BEEN DOING LEAK REPAIR FOR THIRTY YEARS AND VERY MUCH ENJOY THE CHALLENGE. IT'S A WIN, WIN SITUATION . CUSTOMERS REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THEIR LEAKS ARE FIXED AND I CASH THEIR CHECK! MY TRAINING WAS MOSTLY O.J.T. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FOLKS OFFERING TRAINING BUT I AM NOT FAMILIAR ENOUGH TO REFER ANY. IT' IS EQUIPMENT INTENSESIVE . I HAVE SONIC AND ELECTRONIC SENSORS TO LOCATE; SURFACE SUPPLIED AIR TO DIVE;AND A PRICEY DRYSUIT THAT LETS ME DIVE ALL YEAR. ADD TO THAT PLUGS AND PRESSURE TEST GEAR AND A LOT OF CUSTOM MADE STUFF FOR TRICKY SITUATIONS. THERE'S ALOT OF GOOD INFO AT www.leaktools.com(YOU'RE WELCOME,LANCE.) FEEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT www.jonahunderwater.com IF I CAN HELP IN ANY WAY. BON CHANCE!