leaking

Leaking is the unintended escape of liquids, gases, or other substances from a container, pipe, vessel, or enclosure. The term also refers to the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, known as an information leak. Leaks can occur in residential, industrial, and natural settings and may vary in size and urgency.

Physical leaks arise from material failure, corrosion, wear, improper installation, or overpressure. Common examples include water leaks in plumbing, fuel leaks from tanks, refrigerant leaks in HVAC systems, and gas leaks from pipelines. Leaks may travel along surfaces, through cracks, or through porous materials, and can be intermittent, depending on pressure and temperature.

Detection and signs: damp patches, staining, mold, foul odors, decreased system efficiency, or rising utility bills. In infrastructure, specialized methods such as acoustic listening, tracer gas testing, infrared thermography, or pressure decay tests are used. Gas and hazardous leaks pose safety risks, including fire or exposure hazards.

Prevention and repair: regular inspection and maintenance, sealing joints, replacing worn gaskets, and installing detectors or shut-off devices. In buildings, proper ventilation and moisture control reduce secondary damage. For pipes, prompt repair by trained professionals is needed to limit damage and risk.

Information leaks: Unauthorized disclosure of confidential data, sometimes caused by insecure communications, weak access controls, or insider threats. Impacts include privacy violations, regulatory penalties, and reputational harm. Mitigation involves encryption, access control, activity monitoring, and incident response planning; many jurisdictions require breach notification.