3/16 leak detection

[SkunkWorks]

Suggestions to track down 3/16 leaks?

Xtra vac gauges? Pound on the spiles? Pinch off taps?

[mol1jb]

Is your 3/16 on vacuum or just gravity?

[SkunkWorks]

Gravity, 60’ drop

[buckeye gold]

Walk your line during a good flow. If it's a bad leak you will hear it hissing, or see a drop of sap on the line. Watch for bubbles forming in the line not just moving through. Leak at tees are tougher to find, they will sometimes make bubbles. If I suspect a tee I bend it a little and see if I get bubbles or a hissing. If your sap is shooting down the line fast you got a leak most likely. It should run a a steady pace with small sections of bubbles moving along with the sap. On good run it will move pretty quickly at times, but it should be a steady pace.

[SkunkWorks]

Much better: -21 in Hg

Watched the sap in the line ...

[springhillsmaple]

I've notice that lines with lots of air moving quickly have leaks. Walk up the line until you get to the spot where it changes to being filled with mostly sap. That is where the leak is. I've found leaks mostly around fittings or holes in the lateral. Rarely but sometimes at a tap hole.

[maple flats]

Do not by any means POUND on a tap, that will split the bark and cause a leak. A tap should only be set until a light tap on it gives a different sound. Use something light to set them, a tapping hammer or a light weight hammer or I use the flat side jaw of a pair of 7" linesman's pliers.