What do you do if you have a leaking roof problem?

If you are a business owner, it can be a nightmare to see a leaking roof above your head. Apart from the aesthetic part of it there is an impending risk of further structural damage to the building and your plant and equimrnt, machinery etc.which may prove to be a costly affair if not handled early.

Locating the Leak:

There are many types of water leaks that may occur in a commercial building structure. Visible leaks can be those that occur in plumbing lines. Basic checks such as a visual survey under washbasins can locate simple leaks. But for leaks that may occur in roofs and walls and even basements, professional assistance will be required.

Not all water leaks are apparent, when pipes break down or crack they result in pinhole leakages that are virtually impossible to trace. So the next time you see a wet spot on your roof or wall or patches on your floor, make sure you get the assistance of a professional water leak detection service to take a look at it.

Detecting the Leak Source:

Leak Detection techniques in today’s modern world has evolved to contact free leak detection techniques. State of the art technology, which is simple yet intelligent, has enabled much easier and more efficient leak detection.  A leak under a slab can be detected without the need for digging to find out the source. New methods such as membrane thickness testing, infrared thermography, moisture path analysis etc. can help in detecting potential threats which can damage property in the future.

The Role of Leak Detection:

It’s better to replace a section of the roof than the whole roof after extensive damage. Many business owners prefer to test for leak detection as a precautionary measure in regular maintenance. Besides it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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Advantages of Electronic Leak Detection over Traditional Testing Methods

Water leaks through the roof and building structure is a problem in many commercial establishments. It is estimated that almost 50% of newly built buildings in the UK encounter water leakage within the first year of building them. Over the years there have been many ways of detecting leaks in building structures, but one of the more effective methods of finding a leak has been through electronic testing rather than traditional methods.

Here is a look at why electronic leak detection testing is better than traditional methods of finding leaks.

Efficiency:

Electronic leak detection has the ability to detect the exact source of where the leak originates by taking advantage of the natural property of water to conduct electricity. Physically finding leaks and using flood detection cannot pinpoint the source effectively all the time, especially in large roof sections of a commercial establishment.

Time saving:

Traditional leak detection may take hours or even days to detect the leak (Involves draining and drying test area), but the electronic method does it in a few minutes. In the case of high-voltage testing, repairs can be completed immediately.

No issue of slopes:

Sloped decks in the building structure won’t be an easy place to test while conducting a flood test.

Less risk:

When a roof is renovated and test is conducted for water leak there is no risk of interior damage to the building structure or the drainage systems if the drains are unplugged. A far less amount of water is required in the electrical method.

For expert roofing consultants in UK get in touch with Thornton Consulting.

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Why expert leak detection service is necessary for a Fitness Centre

With respect to water leak detection, fitness centres require frequent maintenance, due to the nature of equipment’s and the frequency in the use of the wet rooms. The showers, steam area and swimming pools are used much regularly than when compared to other commercial establishments.

In the case of water leak in a gym, extra care must be exercised to get the leak fixed as room as possible to prevent any further damage to the building structure.

Here are some of the best techniques used waterproofing testing to effectively determine leaks:

Water analysis:

This technique involves testing water samples for bacterial counts. By this test it can be determined if the water is fresh or contaminated. This helps in detecting any leaks from the drainage pipes into the main line.

Electrical testing:

Otherwise known as earth leak detection, it is based on the fact that water can conduct electricity and the structural membranes such as roofs and walls don’t conduct electricity. The electrical testing can be used to even find microscopic leaks. A sensitive meter records the pulsed electric fields of the leak portion. This testing method is generally used in cases where the leak originates from a weaker section above the roofing structure.

Tit Bit: Thornton Consulting was the first UK consultancy to offer electrical testing in the UK starting in early 1987.

Differential Pressure Testing:

The test is done by drawing air through a surfactant applied over laps, and this determines if there are any leaks in the structure.

Pin-Hole testing:

Previously only used to test bridge deck membranes, but now it’s used as mostly a certification tool.

Contact Thornton Consulting for expert commercial water leak detection services in the UK. Visit http://www.thorntonconsulting.co.uk/ for more details.

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Water Leak Detection - Signs you can't Ignore

Most water leaks are generally hidden from plain sight and need a special nose to notice them. Just take a few minutes to find out about the warning signs you need to consider for availing UK leak detection service:

Wet Spots

If you observe any discolored areas and find frequent wet spots on your roofs and floors then you need to keep a check on it. If they don't disappear and in fact if it keeps increasing, then you might have a possible water leak.

Mushy Ground

You can possibly benefit from water leak detection services in UK if you find moist ground in your property premises, even when it doesn't rain in your region. Such strange mushy ground can indicate possible broken lines. Sometimes it can lead to costly damage to your commercial building's foundation. So always keep a check on this sign.

Musty Smells

If you smell an unusual musty odor in your commercial facility then this could mean water is leaking somewhere, so look to hire expert roofing consultants in UK to investigate the issue.

A Running Water Meter

Now consider this, if you happen to doubt a possible water leak, then turn off everything that avails water in your property for some time. After a while, check your water meter if it still seems to be running, then this most definitely signifies you need to contact a leak detection expert.

Sound of Water

Well, this is a familiar sign, the sound of running water could only mean there's trouble at hand. If the sound continues even if you turned off everything that uses water, then this could mean there's a leak somewhere in your building. Get in touch with leak detection experts to handle the issue with care.

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Infrared Thermography: An effective method to find commercial water leaks

Infrared thermography is the method which is used to detect the infrared energy emitted from an object. The information is converted to temperature readings and an image is displayed. Through analysis of this image we can accurately point out the temperature difference on an object. In the case of water leak detection, infrared thermography can be used effectively to zero in on the source of the water leak.

How Infrared Thermography works

The technology used captures the temperature distributed on the surface and provides visual information back. The temperature can be measured without any contact with the object. The information provided is live and hence has added advantage.

(Note: Technology could be loosely compared to the natural ability used by snakes, where they smell the air to create a thermal image of their surroundings)

Advantages:

•    Comparisons can be made over vast surfaces. In the case of detection of water leaks, this helps in finding a leak over a vast area of a building

•    Allows operation from a safe distance, in many cases to detect a leak it requires getting around pipelines and other possible hazardous locations. Infrared thermography can be a big help in limiting this by providing this information easily without contact

•    Even slight changes in temperature can be recorded in case of a small cracks or leaks in the building structure

Technicalities of infrared

•    The wavelength of infrared is longer than visible light and hence it’s invisible to the human eye.

•    Can be used on any structure with temperature above zero

•    Has a nick name called heat wave as long exposures to infrared light can exert limited heat that object

•    It has a characteristic of heating an object. Therefore, it is sometimes called "heat wave"

Commercial flat roof and basement leak detection in the UK from Thornton Consulting. Visit http://www.thorntonconsulting.co.uk to know more.

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Counting on UK Roof Leak Detection Experts - Avoiding Future Panic

A water leak on a commercial or industrial property can prove to be expensive and quite disruptive for other adjacent businesses. Leaking water can cause severe damage to commercial buildings as it can spread very swiftly to warehouses and damage the stock or the facility. Sometimes even the traffic around the property could be rerouted in order to deal with the leaking problem.

With such a potentially serious situation at hand, it is good to have a proactive strategy in place to deal with leaks on a commercial property. The last thing you would want is to have to randomly pick a plumbing expert when you have an emergency roof leak situation in your commercial premises. It’s always good to choose a reputable water leak detection consultancy in the UK to run initial roof leak detection tests before you start to put a contingency plan in place. You can look for a company who will run tests using the latest cutting edge technology.

Today, even a little damp in the roof's corner or an unpleasant odour should be enough to prompt you to instigate expert roof leak detection quickly to investigate the cause of these problems. Most of the time commercial property owners neglect such small warning signs, as they are busy with their daily activities.  However if left undetected roof leaks can lead to severe damage to the property and even cause temporary closure of the business in the future.

When looking for a roof leak detection expert in the UK the first thing to establish is whether the company is well-established and that they have all the required qualifications, accreditations and licenses to undertake the work required. This ensures they follow the highest industry standards to detect any water leaks in the premises basement or roof. It will give you the peace of mind that your business property and indeed your business will not suffer as a result of water ingress.

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Common Reasons for Roof Leaks

It is not good idea to assume that water leaking from the ceiling is directly coming from a leak or hole directly above it. The water can get in from just about anywhere to wend its way down the roof deck before dropping from the ceiling.

For primary UK and Ireland leak detection, consider what expert inspectors suggest – start from outside and look for any of the following troubles before heading up to the attic:

1. Plumbing Penetrations

Penetration may be made for plumbing vent pipes, ventilation fan ducts, exhaust fuel pipes and many others. Metal flashing around such penetrations and cracked or worn out rubber flashings around the pipe are some of the most common reasons for the leak.

2. Skylight

Many corporate buildings have roof atriums or skylights to allow light inside. During rain, the skylights can start leaking due to the vents made for its installation or failed seals. 

3. Flashing

Any thin metal strip, sheet or angle that covers a transition point or seam of the roof is known as flashing. Roof leaks may start from the point where the flashing is corroded or otherwise cracked, or if it has been wrongly fitted

4. Tiled roofs

According to emergency water leak detection experts in the UK, tile damage may cause leaks over time, especially if the underslating membrane is damaged, which can result in a severe leak. Many times, a missing tile or unsealed eaves or ridges can causes roofs to leak.

5. Other types of roof

Leaks can happen in sheeted roofs and green roofs – ie those with soil and plants on top due to the awareness on Eco-friendly living.

Above are just few common reasons of a roof leak that needs to be inspected if the ceiling is seen to be suffering from leaks or there is leaking elsewhere, such as down walls or windows. Engaging an expert for exact detection is highly recommended.

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