Air conditioning

Refrigerant leak detection in Belgium

A unit that cools less each season and works for a while after a top-up does not have a capacity problem but a leak. Refrigerant does not disappear through use, so any drop means it escapes somewhere. Repeated topping up is therefore the most expensive route, for the wallet and for the environment.

Refrigerant leak detection: technician servicing an indoor air-conditioning unit

Our approach

Trace the leak, seal, evacuate, then charge by weight

On every leak detection we follow the same order: confirm the loss, search joints and coils, repair, evacuate and prove tightness, controlled charge with remeasurement.

  1. 01

    Confirm the loss

    We measure pressures and temperatures and compare the charge with the appliance data. That establishes that refrigerant is genuinely missing and airflow is not the cause.

  2. 02

    Trace the leak

    Joints, flare connections and coils are checked with an electronic detector. Flare connections and the joints at the outdoor unit are where a leak most often develops.

  3. 03

    Carry out the repair

    A leaking joint is remade with a correct flare and the right tightening torque. If the coil itself leaks, that is named as a finding, since it changes the repair or replace decision.

  4. 04

    Evacuate and charge

    After the repair the circuit is evacuated and checked for tightness. A charge by weight follows according to the appliance data, with pressures and temperatures measured.

Why refrigerant disappears

Where a refrigerant-circuit leak usually sits

Refrigerant does not disappear through use. Any drop means it escapes somewhere, often at flare joints, connections on the outdoor unit or a damaged coil.

Repeated topping up without leak tracing is expensive and fixes nothing structural. The unit works for a while until the charge is low again.

Moisture or air entering an open circuit damages the compressor. After repair, evacuation and a tightness check come before the controlled charge.

From leak detection to repair or servicing: technician servicing an indoor air-conditioning unit

Related work

From leak detection to repair or servicing

We locate the leak first. Targeted repair follows, or a wider diagnosis if the coil itself is leaking.

Signs to watch

When to suspect a refrigerant-circuit leak

These signs point to gas loss rather than fouling alone.

  • The unit cools a little less each season.
  • After a top-up it works for a while, then weakens again.
  • You hear a hissing sound near a joint.
  • Oil or dirt marks around flare or screwed connections.
  • The indoor unit blows air barely cooler than the room.
  • A service reading shows pressures below the expected values.
Not sure? Call +32 2 000 00 00

Until we arrive

What to do before leak detection

Avoid topping up or opening the circuit yourself; that hinders the search and can let moisture in.

  1. 01

    Stop topping up yourself

    Leave the present charge as it is. Extra gas without sealing disturbs diagnosis and fixes nothing lasting.

  2. 02

    Note when cooling dropped

    A gradual seasonal decline or a sudden drop after work on the lines steers where we look first.

  3. 03

    Mention recent fitting or relocation

    Work on flare joints or moving the outdoor unit are classic leak points. Say so beforehand.

  4. 04

    Keep indoor and outdoor joints accessible

    Clear flare connections and service ports so detection can proceed without unnecessary opening-up.

Clear pricing

Price for search, repair and controlled charge

Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %).

Price depends on access to the leak, whether a joint is enough or a coil is involved, and how much refrigerant is needed after repair. Searching alone is not priced like sealing plus charging.

After the on-site finding you get a quote before repair and charge. Call us for an initial indication, with no obligation.

Benefits

  • Leak located rather than repeatedly topped up
  • Detection at joints, flare connections and coils
  • Circuit evacuated after the repair, before charging
  • Charge by weight rather than by feel or pressure alone
  • A clear finding where a coil proves unrepairable

Equipment & techniques

Electronic leak detector Manifold with digital pressure measurement Vacuum pump and vacuum gauge Scales for charging by weight Flaring tools and torque wrenches Refrigerant recovery equipment

Handling refrigerants requires certification; some systems need a periodic leak check, under conditions. The rules and their sources

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Question not on the list? We answer it by phone, no obligation.

+32 2 000 00 00
What do leak detection and repair cost?

Our call-outs start from €63.60 incl. VAT (6 % for homes over 10 years old, otherwise 21 %). The final price depends on where the leak is, how accessible it is, the type of repair needed and how much refrigerant has to be recharged once it is sealed.

Is topping up without leak tracing acceptable?

Only as a temporary emergency measure, and we name it as such. Structurally we find the leak, seal it, then charge by weight.

Where do leaks sit most often?

At flare joints, screwed connections on the outdoor unit and sometimes on the coil itself. We start there with the detector.

What if the coil is leaking?

We name that as a finding. Repair or replace depends on position, access and cost; you get that trade-off before we continue.

How soon can you start leak tracing?

Timing depends on the area and availability. Our line is available 24/7 to schedule the visit.

Do I get a warranty on the repair?

Up to 2 years warranty on labour; parts carry the manufacturer’s warranty.

When should you call an air conditioning technician straight away?

Some signs call for switching the unit off rather than letting it run: a burning smell, an unusual mechanical noise, water running from the indoor unit, ice that stays on the coil, or a breaker that trips on start-up. Turn the system off and leave it off: running it through those signs can make the fault worse.

Coverage area

Present in Brussels, in Wallonia and in Flanders

42

cities served · air conditioning

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Why Van Dijk Home

Repeated topping up is expensive and resolves nothing, since refrigerant does not disappear through use. We trace the leak in the usual places, seal it, evacuate and charge by weight, with a clear finding if the coil itself leaks.

Refrigerant leak detection: need help? Call us to check our availability.

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