Update on that leaky tube sheet from my last shutdown job

Found a hairline crack in the 3/8 inch plate after hydro, had to cut out a 12 inch section and weld in a new piece. What's your go-to method for checking for cracks after a pressure test?

3 comments

3 Comments

evant481mo ago

Heard about a buddy who swears by a dye penetrant test after hydro. Found a tiny crack the water test missed, saved his butt lol.

blair6261mo ago

Used to think hydro was the final word on tank safety. Your buddy's story is a solid example of why that extra step matters. A visual water test can miss a hairline crack that's not leaking yet. The dye gets pulled right into that tiny opening and lights it up. It's cheap insurance for something you're trusting with your life. Changed my whole view on doing both checks.

adam_kim19d ago

My old dive shop found three tanks with dye tests after hydro, just like evant48's buddy.