Leaky Roof Left Unattended? You Are In Danger.

One of the major issues we face with our buildings over time is the leakage of roofs. Leaky roofs cause major damages, as we usually notice them only days after the leak develop, and by the time the damage would have been already done. There are a lot of leak detection specialists in UK, who are offering services to detect the source of leaks, so that necessary steps can be taken to prevent further damages.

Dangers of having a leaky roof:

1. Deterioration of the roof structure:

When the roof leaks, water starts dripping on to the ceiling underneath. Once the ceiling gets dampened up, it starts to deteriorate and can fall off anytime. Leak detection specialists in UK use the best technology to detect the leaks, so that it can be fixed.

2. Damages to walls and ceiling:

If the leaks go unnoticed, the walls and ceiling will absorb too much of water and bubbles starts to popup, leading further damages to the things that are mounted on it.

3. Risk of fire accidents:

When the leaked water comes in contact with the electrical wirings, it leads to short circuits and can cause fire accidents. If leaked water gets clogged in junction boxes, the people who operate the switches are at the risk of getting electrical shocks.

 4. Health issues:

Due to the moisture accumulated due to leakage, the chance of mold growth in the attic is very high and the people who come in contact with mold will have allergies and other health issues.

So it’s always better to get the services of leak detection specialists in UK, to locate the leaks, so that further damages can be avoided.

Read More

Trace Gas: An Ingenious Method for Flat Roof Leak Detection

Suspecting that your building has been fraught with leakage often prompts people to contact roofing professionals. There is a better course of action, however, as these contractors will always advise costly maintenances that profit them. It would be better to get to the bottom of things and confirm your suspicions by calling leak detection experts.

While there are many methods the experts may employ to get to the origins of your institution’s drip; this write-up introduces you to the ingenious trace gas process for flat roof leak detection in UK.

Why Trace Gas

You may be aware of techniques used in seepage discovery like releasing large amounts of water for wet testing. Another popular technique used is the dry detection. However, by far, the technique that causes the least amount of mess is trace gas, which is a form on non-toxic gas. The experts you hire will suggest this method if you happen to have a flat roof or even a veranda that has seepage.

To put your concerns to rest, you should know that it is also completely safe. The procedure will be conducted by certified professionals and will cause no damage to your institution.

How it Works

The gas is gently set loose directly under the seepage so that when it rises to the top, it indicates the point of seepage. The experts use sensors to find the point from where the gas escaped, which leads them to the leak.

Whether it is specialists in roof or basement leak detection, UK you seek, trace gas is the preferred method for most organisations.

Read More

Why Do You Need Professional Roof Leak Detection in the UK?

Roof leaks are prominent problem that delays work and result in loss of business days. A small leak can result in unhygienic working conditions. Quick roof fixation is imperative after water starts leaking. A quick fixation costs higher because of urgency. In addition, the service received in the time of need is difficult to evaluate for quality. You can avert the condition of urgent and immediate roof repair by staying prepared. Professional roof leak detection in the UK prepares your roof for severe weather conditions, detects early signs of leaks and recommends easy repairs.

Sagging

A sinking structure is a sign of permanent damage. Roof sagging is a result of improper installation or ending life of the structure. The ideal way to deal with sagging depends on the cause of sinking structure. Professional roof leak detector discovers the cause and suggests the best fix.

Worn-Outs

A properly installed roof covers all vulnerable areas like chimney, vents and overhead windows with a waterproofing material. This waterproofing material is flashing. Flashing erodes over time. Time of erosion depends on the quality and quantity of flashing used along with the weather. Only a professional can detect flashing worn-outs.

Shingles

With advancing time, shingles start damaging and deteriorating. An early estimation of damaged shingles gives you enough time to make an informed and intelligent decision regarding its repairs and restoration. Shingles life depends on the material used and sun exposure.

Roof Leak Detection in the UK minimises repair costs with early detection and alternative repair ideas.

Read More

The Need for Flood Testing and Other Techniques in Roof Leak Detection

Finding out the extent of roof damage caused by a leak in your institution is important if you want to ensure that the structural integrity of the building has not been compromised. This makes it necessary to spot seepage right after it occurs to have the best chance at minimising damage. Read on to know why commercial buildings need techniques like flood testing to discover seepages early on. 

·      Detection without Excessive Downtime

Every business and commercial organisation wants to avoid system downtime. Hiring professionals to undertake flood techniques and other such methods can expedite the seepage discovery process. Flood testing is mainly used for building leak detection in UK because regulating the flow of water is when the area of the seepage can be identified. The alternative is when businesses choose to hire local handymen who use flawed maintenance tactics to discover the point of origin. 

Since they start by bringing down ceiling tiles and undoing ductwork, they add to the time taken for repairs along with increasing the expense.

·      Drips that Go Unnoticed

Most organisations have employees and personnel that are too busy to pay attention to innocent-looking water spots on ceilings. The beginning of what later turns into a cause for great concern; these spots need to be branded or tagged immediately. This can ease the task of leakage detection in UK. 

However, since people are rarely so mindful of tiny drips, buildings soon require advanced techniques like flood testing to single out the originating point of seepage to pave the way for repairs.

Read More

Unpreventable Aspects of Roof Damage and Factors that Cause them

When it comes to roof damage, major repairs can mean the utilization of a lot of funds and even more time. In order to facilitate early discovery flat roof leak detection in UK is carried out. The specialists discover the root cause of concern which can be any of the following aspects. Take a look at the factors that cause them as well, so as to better comprehend the process.

The Formation of a Solid Ice Dam Post Snowfall

Cause: When the interiors are heated to combat the cold outside, a part of the freshly fallen snow on the roof melts. The melted liquid then collects at the edge of the roof where it receives no more heat, causing it to freeze and cause a buildup. When the ice goes on accumulating, it tends to get heavy and can cause cracks.

Badly Mounted Office Skylights

Cause: Not taking accurate measurements at the time of mounting or worn out flashing could result in trouble. Even though you cannot gauge whether the installers are doing their job right when a skylight is mounted; the seepage can be simple to notice. You will basically observe drops of water on the floor of your office underneath the skylight. 

More often than not, water seeping through the cracks indicates deep seated issues that beg the expertise of building leak detection in UK. The trick is to identify these at once so you can take corrective measures at the earliest and avoid downtime at your place of business.

Read More

Top Three Reasons Why your Establishment’s Roof May have Sprung a Leak

When there is even the slightest bit of storm damage in commercial structures, the roof and major parts of the building must be inspected so as to put a stop to additional damage. Undertaking water leak detection in Ireland is a great way to ascertain whether or not there is need for repairs. Read about the top three reasons why your establishment may have sprung a leak.

1. Dented or Ruptured Flashing

Flashing is essentially a rainproof barrier in the form of slim metal portions attached to the inside edges of shingles. These may be covered or uncovered and showcase either a rubber-like cover or extensive lengths of metal respectively. Cracked flashing displays dents that are caused by ruthless weather conditions.

2. Unsealed Roof Inclines

Establishments that have more than one building adjacent or an extension may have a couple of planes forming a valley. Such roof inclines must be sealed appropriately for if not, water seeps through easily.

3. Indented Ventilation Outlets

There may be points in your building where the dampness is allowed to escape via thin pipes leading up to the roof. Cracks in the vents will cause leakages that will have noticeable damage in the interiors as well. These normally occur when the flashing holding it together disintegrates due to wear and tear.
Always have leak detection specialists in UK take a look at your structure so they can confirm the damage caused. It is best to get the opinion of professionals rather than risk further damage by having a handyman clamber around.

Read More

Five Ways to Prevent Roof Leakage in a Commercial Establishment

A leaking roof is the worst nightmare of a commercial property owner, whether it’s an office, museum, or hotel. A leaking roof can destroy your reputation, goodwill, and your employees’ morale. In UK, leak detection specialists can spot hidden leakages in various parts of your commercial building and repair them, but following these tips will help you take care of the situation beforehand.

Check the Leak Hot Spots

The most usual places where leakages occur are the basement, plumbing vent flashing, ice dams, skylights, wall step flashings, fields of shingles and missing shingles. Since you may not find the areas in dry season, you need to perform a check when it rains or snows. A roof may also leak if it is worn out and needs to be replaced.

Emergency Fixes

If the roof starts to leak suddenly and if it isn’t possible to immediately call leak detection specialists, UK residents can take care of it by covering the area with plastic sheets. The sheets need to be staples and nailed along the eaves to cover the entire leak area.

Damaged Shingles and Improperly Installed Flashing

Back-bent shingles are very often a cause for roof leakages and improperly installed flashing can often cause blow-offs and roof collapse. In such a case, the shingles must be replaced and the flashing reinstalled.

Faulty Pipes

Faulty pipes can be a source of leaking roofs and call for replacement. If the wood beneath the roof is soft from damage then you should consider re-roofing to prevent rotting. For building leak detection, UK office owners should contact leak detection companies to check damage and imminent roof collapse in time.

Read More

Infrared Leak Detection Can Save You a Bundle

Locating the source of roof leak is challenging and daunting, and at times even the most experienced professional finds it difficult to locate the actual source of roof leak. Minor damages that get unnoticed may cause serious damage to the building. An infrared roof inspection can detect the evidence of latent moisture within the roof cavities.
Always keep in mind, the moisture stains are not caused by the leaks directly above the wet area. Leaks may also occur at the ridge line area, clings to the rafters and finally drips onto the ceiling below. Having infrared leakage detection in UK helps you to figure out whether you just need a minor repair or a roof replacement. When you are undergoing roof leak detection visually it the roof structure looks good but the infrared imaging detects anomalies instantly if any.
Infrared not only detects water leaks and spots the source but also helps you in a full building diagnosis. It finds out plumbing issues and defects, electrical hotspots that can cause potential fire hazards, moisture that cannot be visible or found out with moisture meters, checks energy efficiency of heating and cooling systems and more.
Money Saving Benefits:

• It helps you in finding out minor leakage issues before they become bigger.
• Wet roofs are the excellent mold growth environment. Infrared surveys target these sites and help you to eliminate the track of mold.
• Tests and confirms the quality of material and workmanship.
• Reduces energy cost.
• Reduces cost of asbestos removal.

Hence we can conclude that infrared roof leak detection in UK is an excellent way to reduce the cost on roofing repair and improves your roofing option.

Read More

Common Flat Roof Leakage Issues

Commercial buildings with flat roofs are susceptible to leakage issues and hence need regular leakage inspection. Some of the common issues flat roof problems include:

1. Ponding/Standing Water:
Water that stands on a roof without draining away is always a problem and a major source for leakage. The water collected may seep into the ceiling causing leaks. A slight slope towards the drainpipe can help to solve the problem. Drains should be cleaned regularly to prevent blockage. Ponding water can also damage the waterproofing membrane within the roof.

2. Improper and Hasty Repairs:
Undertaking repairs without properly examining the source of the problem can cause several issues. Professional leak detection companies in the UK and Ireland often use sophisticated techniques like infrared thermography and earth leak detection to determine the exact source and cause of the problem. Similarly using improper materials can cause more harm than good.

3. Blistering:
Water trapped between the roof surface can cause the membrane to detach, thereby causing leakage issues. The problem is typically worse during the day when the heat from the sun causes the moisture within to expand.

4. Improper Care and Lack of Maintenance:
Flat roofs should be subjected to regular inspection to prevent repairs. While it makes sense to enlist the services of a professional leak detection company, you can also conduct a visual inspection from time to time. Simple signs like ponding water, blistering can effectively point towards a potential leak.

Read More

Tips to Handle Basement Leaks

Basement leaks are a common problem in many households. When left unattended they can cause health hazards and damage the floors and the walls of your basement. Professional intervention is recommended to ensure that the leak has been successfully fixed. Here are a few tips that help you tackle the situation of waking up to a flooded basement on a fine morning.

Stay Away From the Water Filled Basement

If you find your basement flooded with water, it is best not to rush into your basement to retrieve your belongings. Instead switch off the main fuse box to eliminate the chances for a shock due to electric wires immersed in the water.

Clear out the Basement

Take help from friends and clear out the basement of all its contents once the standing water recedes. Ensure you collect all valuables safely and dry out all electronic and electrical appliances immediately. This allows better circulation of air within the basement thus paving way for the place to dry out faster. Open all windows and place fans inside the basement to speed up the drying out process.

Remove Carpeting Immediately

If your basement was covered by a carpet, make sure you remove it immediately. Carpets absorb water and retain them for longer periods. Basements flooded with dirty water results in total damage of the carpeting.

Seek Professional Help

Call for basement leak detection specialist in UK to help you find a permanent solution for the problem. Discuss with them about the possible places of leaks and take their guidance to avoid such fiascos in the future.

Read More

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.

Read More