Ultrasonic Leak Detection Services Near Me

Ultrasonic leak detection uses high-frequency sound wave technology to identify leaks, wall thinning, and permeations in storage tanks. A handheld ultrasonic transducer sends sound waves through the tank wall; the system measures the time it takes for the sound to travel through the material and reflect back. Variations in travel time indicate changes in wall thickness, corrosion, pitting, or voids. This non-destructive testing method detects issues invisible to visual inspection—including micro-perforations as small as pinholes—without requiring tank excavation or emptying. The technology is particularly effective for double-wall tanks, where it can verify the integrity of both primary and secondary containment barriers.

Visual inspection only identifies surface-level damage already visible to the naked eye—by which point significant corrosion or leaking has often occurred. Ultrasonic testing penetrates below the surface to map internal wall structure, measuring exact remaining wall thickness and identifying corrosion, delamination, and micro-permeations months or years before they become visible leaks. UT provides quantitative data (millimeter-precise thickness measurements) rather than subjective observations, enabling accurate remaining-life calculations and informed repair decisions. For underground storage tanks, buried piping, and tank bottoms inaccessible to visual inspection, ultrasonic testing is often the only practical method to assess integrity without excavation.

AmTech performs ultrasonic testing on all tank types and materials: steel above-ground storage tanks (ASTs), underground storage tanks (USTs), double-wall tanks with interstitial monitoring, concrete tanks, fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks, and composite laminate tanks. The service covers tanks storing petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, crude oil, jet fuel), chemicals (acids, caustics, solvents), water (potable, fire suppression, hot water), wastewater, and hazardous materials. Testing is applicable to both pressurized and atmospheric tanks, and can be performed on tank walls, bottoms, roofs, and nozzle connections. Our crews have extensive experience with municipal water systems, chemical processing facilities, fuel terminals, manufacturing plants, and institutional facilities.

Inspection duration depends on tank size, accessibility, and the extent of testing required. A typical single-wall above-ground storage tank (10,000–30,000 gallons) can be comprehensively scanned in 4–8 hours, including setup, testing, and preliminary reporting. Larger tanks, tanks with complex geometry, or projects requiring extensive thickness mapping across multiple zones may take 1–3 days. Underground tank inspections often require excavation access and can take longer depending on site conditions. AmTech provides detailed time estimates during project scoping. For emergency leak detection, we prioritize rapid mobilization and focus testing on critical areas to deliver results as quickly as possible while maintaining accuracy and meeting regulatory standards.

Yes, for many tank types. EPA regulations (40 CFR Part 280) require periodic integrity testing for underground storage tanks containing petroleum or hazardous substances, and ultrasonic testing is an EPA-approved method for demonstrating tank tightness and structural integrity. Many state environmental agencies mandate UT inspections at specific intervals (commonly every 3–10 years depending on tank age, construction, and stored product). API Standard 653 requires periodic ultrasonic thickness testing for above-ground petroleum storage tanks to document corrosion rates and determine remaining service life. Facilities handling regulated substances, operating in sensitive environmental areas, or subject to spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) plans often must perform ultrasonic inspections to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

AmTech provides a comprehensive written report documenting all UT findings, including thickness measurements, corrosion maps, identified permeations or pinholes, and specific locations of integrity concerns. Our engineers interpret the data and provide recommendations: minor wall thinning may only require monitoring; moderate corrosion may warrant localized steel repairs and relining; severe permeations or structural damage may necessitate tank replacement. Because AmTech is a full-service tank contractor—not just a testing company—we can immediately mobilize repair crews to address identified issues. We perform steel welding repairs, fiberglass laminate reconstruction, and application of our proprietary lining systems (DuraChem, HydraStone, Armor Shield) to restore tank integrity, often on the same project mobilization, minimizing your facility downtime.

In many cases, yes. External ultrasonic testing of above-ground tank walls can often be performed while the tank remains in service, as the UT transducer only requires access to the outside tank surface. However, internal inspections and testing of tank bottoms typically require the tank to be emptied, cleaned, and made safe for confined space entry. For underground tanks, limited excavation may be needed to access test points. AmTech works closely with facility operators to minimize service interruptions—scheduling testing during planned maintenance windows, focusing on accessible areas first, and coordinating with your operations team. Our goal is to provide the critical integrity data you need while keeping your facility running.

Yes. AmTech maintains 24/7 emergency response capability for suspected tank leaks, regulatory orders, or sudden integrity concerns. When you contact us with an urgent need, we mobilize experienced UT technicians and engineer support to your site as quickly as possible—often within 24–48 hours depending on location. Emergency ultrasonic testing rapidly pinpoints leak locations and assesses damage extent, enabling targeted repairs that contain the issue and prevent environmental releases. Our nationwide crew network across all 50 states, Canada, and the Caribbean ensures fast deployment. Emergency services are available for all tank types and stored products, and we can coordinate immediate follow-on repairs using our proprietary lining systems if testing reveals actionable damage.