A pneumatic tool that feels weak, a compressor that cycles unexpectedly or a workshop that struggles to maintain pressure can send a maintenance team searching for a larger compressor. Before making that purchase, check whether air is escaping through the distribution system. Locating the loss is the first step towards deciding what actually needs repair.
WEICON Leak Detection Spray, 400 ml is a practical product for checking accessible suspect joints. For Singapore automotive workshops, fabrication shops and facilities teams, its value is in making a specific leak visible so that it can be recorded, repaired and checked again.
What does WEICON Leak Detection Spray do?
The product forms foam that helps reveal escaping gas at a pressurised leak point. WEICON identifies applications on pipe connections, fittings and threaded joints, including compressed-air systems. The standard spray is described as non-flammable and anti-corrosive, with DVGW approval and conformity to DIN EN 14291.
It is a detection product, not a thread sealant or repair coating. It does not tighten a fitting, replace a damaged hose or quantify how much air is being lost. A visible result tells the technician where further attention is needed; it does not by itself explain why the connection failed.
Where should a workshop start checking?
| Inspection area | Examples to include | Useful record |
|---|---|---|
| Point of use | Tool connections, quick couplings and hose ends | Work bay and connection identifier |
| Air preparation | Accessible connections around filters, regulators and lubricators | Assembly model and exact joint |
| Distribution pipework | Threaded joints and branch connections | Branch number and location photograph |
| Previously repaired areas | Replaced fittings, disturbed joints and repaired hose assemblies | Previous repair date and repeat result |
The US Department of Energy identifies connections, hoses, fittings and air-preparation equipment among common leak locations. Use that as a starting checklist, then adapt the route to your own equipment. A short, repeatable route around one work area is often easier to manage than an unstructured survey of the entire building.
Use a clear inspect–record–repair–recheck process
- Define the test area. Identify the equipment, system medium and safe access. Confirm that the selected product and test method suit the installation.
- Check under the approved conditions. Follow the can instructions and the site’s procedure for checking a pressurised system. Observe the suspect connection for continuing bubble formation rather than judging only the initial foam.
- Record the finding. Mark the exact location and take a photograph. Note the operating condition so the result can be interpreted later.
- Arrange the repair. Have the appropriate person isolate and depressurise the affected section before dismantling or replacing components.
- Verify the result. Recheck after the system is restored under the approved conditions. Close the record only when the result has been confirmed.
Do not tighten or dismantle pressurised connections as part of a casual leak check. For fuel-gas, oxygen or other specialised installations, use the relevant competent personnel and approved procedure. A product’s listed gas compatibility does not replace the installation’s testing requirements.
Leak spray or an ultrasonic survey?
A spray is useful when the suspected point is accessible and you want a local visual indication. On a large installation with many potential leak locations, an ultrasonic survey may be more efficient for finding areas to investigate. The Department of Energy discusses both bubble checks and ultrasonic detection as leak-finding methods.
Consider the scope before buying equipment: are you confirming one disturbed joint after maintenance, or trying to survey an entire compressed-air network? Those are different tasks. A local check and a wider survey can complement each other, but neither should be represented as a complete pressure-integrity certification.
Make the findings useful to your maintenance team
A suggested repair log is: date, asset or work bay, exact connection, observed result, assigned person, planned repair date, repair completed, recheck result. Keep the wording consistent so another technician can locate the same point without repeating the investigation.
For example, “Bay 3, hose reel outlet coupling” is more actionable than “air leak near tools”. If that location appears repeatedly, review the component selection, installation and operating conditions. Replacing the same item without investigating the recurrence can turn the inspection into a repeated task rather than a lasting improvement.
Assess the result without inventing savings
Do not estimate annual electricity savings from the size of the visible foam. To assess a repair programme commercially, compare relevant operating data before and after under similar production conditions. Record the workload and hours of operation alongside any energy or compressor-runtime measurements.
Also track completion: leaks found, repairs completed, repairs awaiting parts and repeat failures. These measures help a supervisor see whether the programme is progressing even before a detailed energy assessment is available.
Build a useful inspection kit
Alongside the spray, prepare location labels, a repair log and a way to photograph the findings. Review the product label and safety data, and store the aerosol according to its instructions. Confirm the standard 400 ml product is suitable if the job involves unusual temperatures or a specialised system; other WEICON formulations have separate specifications.
View WEICON Leak Detection Spray, or contact President Trading with the system medium, operating conditions and quantity required. Explore our WEICON range for related industrial maintenance products.
Technical references: WEICON Leak Detection Spray; US Department of Energy, Minimize Compressed Air Leaks and Improving Compressed Air System Performance. The inspection-log format above is a suggested workshop practice.
