The importance of roof leak detection

Why is early detection of a roof leak important? Water leaking into the property not only causes structural damage over time, it can also destroy valuable and perhaps irreplaceable contents in residential, commercial or business premises. The longer the seepage is neglected, the greater the expense to rectify the problem. There is also the potential for a risk to health when clean water is contaminated by debris entering from the leak site.

 

 

Locating the source of the leakage isn’t always straightforward and the first signs may be the evidence of mould growth and damp patches on the interior walls and ceilings. Climbing a ladder to search for disrepair can be a dangerous venture without the necessary experience, with the risk of causing further roof damage and even on inspection the leak site may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Thornton Consulting are highly respected specialists in their field, with more than 30 years of expertise in roof leak detection and the evaluation of breaches in all roofing systems throughout the UK and Ireland.

 

 

Although roof damage is often a result of storms and other adverse weather elements, it can also be due to the use of defective materials, sub-standard installation or poor maintenance. Thornton Consulting provide a condition survey service which is valuable for roofing contractors working on refurbishment projects of large commercial and industrial buildings, office and residential apartment blocks. Breaches in the waterproofing membrane can be identified by Electronic Leak Detection, using two different methods as appropriate for the specific membrane type and roof construction. This service provides reassurance to roofing operatives and contractors before completion that there are no breaches in the waterproofing which may cause infiltration in the future.

 

  

As the saying goes, forewarned is forearmed and early awareness of any weak areas in the roof which are a potential leak source can save expensive repair costs required to rectify further deterioration. Thornton Consulting have a dedicated team of experienced consultants, field testers and customer support who are committed to providing a service which is consistent with the long-established company ethics and core values. Call us today on 01342 410508.

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Watch Out for These 5 Roof Leakage Signs in your Building

If you’re a property manager or owner, you will surely know the importance of keeping your building in its best shape for optimum results. This is especially true in the case of roofs as failure to maintain them can result in expensive repairs or replacements that could have been prevented. We bring you the top 5 signs to watch when you’re opting a leakage detection UK. 

1. Bubbles or Blisters – If you are suddenly noticing some blisters or bubbles on your industrial roof, it may be a sign of trapped moisture. This can lead to a major roof leak, especially if the weather is rainy. 

2. Tears or Cracks – It can be difficult to notice cracks on the roof and thus, it is important to conduct regular checks and inspections to see spots that show excessive wear and tear.

3. Indoor Damage – If you notice any water marks, discolouration, stains, peeling paint on the ceiling or walls or even weeping, it may be an indication that there is a flat roof leakage that needs immediate attention.

4. Environmental Changes – A leak can also create the right environment for mould and mildew to grow and its exposure can pose serious health issues like asthma, allergies and respiratory issues to your building occupants.

5. Electrical Shortages – Though it is rare, an electrical shortage can also occur due to a roof leakage. If you see no issues with your electrical wiring but are experiencing shortages, it may be time to consult an expert for a building leak detection UK. 

If you notice any of these signs in your building, get immediate help to detect the problem and get it resolved to avoid expensive repairs in the long term.

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The 4 Most Common Causes of Commercial Flat Roof Leaks

A working roof is one of the basic necessities for any business to thrive. If you are worried about your roofs leaking and causing disruption in your business activities, it might be best to consult leak detection specialists UK to get a thorough check done. Property managers must look out for these common causes of flat roof leaks:

1. Clogged Drainage or Ponding Water

If your flat roof doesn’t have a working drainage system, your roof will turn into a swimming pool in no time. Ponding water is the largest cause of roof leakage as just one square foot of ponding water can weigh up to 5 pounds per inch of water.  

2. Damaged Perimeter Flashing

When the flashing is not installed correctly, is damaged or becomes loose due to wind or storm, the edges of the roof cover get exposed which can cause moisture and water to enter the building. Remember that roofing systems contract and expand as the temperature changes through seasons so it can cause the flashing to tear or break. 

3. Open Roof Penetration

If the drains, pipes or other items puncture your roof’s membrane, the penetration will be prone to leaks and you will need a flat roof leak detection UK expert to analyse the cause and suggest the solutions. 

4. Roofing Membrane Damage

As your roof’s membrane ages, it gets prone to cracks, blisters, punctures, and splits, which can allow water inside and also expose your roof’s insulation system.

Your roofing system will age along with your building, sometimes even faster. It is best to consult a UK leak detection company to help you find any possible leaks at the right time.

 

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Wet Basement - What’s Involved and Who to Call

A wet basement is an indicator of a leakage that can ruin walls, floors, and even roofs if left unchecked. However, basement leak detection is not as easy as it seems and can be difficult to resolve. Some wet basements are easy to cure only if you know the exact source of the water leak. The reasons behind a wet basement might not be easy to detect and you need leak detection specialists to find what factors causing the problem. 

What’s involved?

According to basement leak detection UK consultants, finding the exact source of the leakage is the first step to success. The source of water can be an underground tank, exposure to groundwater, bursting of the main water pipe or sewer pipe. Also, the wet basement can also be due to flat roof leak or any other reason you can think of. 

Who should you call?

The first thing to do after detecting a wet basement is call building leak detection UK consultants who have the expertise to accurately detect the source of water and years of experience in fixing basement leakages.

The leakage detection UK specialist use advanced techniques like water analysis to find the exact source of water. The water analysis technique identifies the bacterial count in the water samples which is helpful to ascertain whether the source of water is fresh water or water from the sewer. This helps in the investigative process and prevents the wasting of money on leakage fixing treatments that won’t work. There is no doubt UK leakage detection consultants have an upper hand when you are dealing a problem of  a wet basement and can help you get an ideal solution even when others have failed.

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Planning To Buy A New Roof, Make Sure You Really Need It

Commercial roof leaks can pose a serious threat to the building structure and property managers are advised to schedule an inspection from trusted leak detection specialists at the earliest opportunity.  Sometimes a property manager can decide to the re-roof the building unnecessarily or use roof replacement contractors who don’t have the expertise or the equipment to assess the roof leakage problems and identify the right remedy. Roof replacement is expensive and most of the time it is not needed.  The result is your organisation spends hefty amounts on remedial work that is not necessary.

Leave leakage detection to experts

 The right approach for dealing with leakage issues in commercial buildings is consulting building leak detection UK consultants who understand and can assess the state of the roof and locate the source of the leak exactly.  UK leak detection consultants have years of experience and use advanced leakage detection equipment to locate leaks and perform a complete assessment of the waterproofing layer.  The combination of years of experience, latest testing methods, advanced testing equipment and understanding of flat roof leakages puts our flat roof leak detection UK company at an advantage in comparison to other types of roof repair companies. 

According to Thornton Roof Leak Detection, roofing technology has advanced and roofs can easily last for 20-30 years. However, in the absence of proper guidance and support, many commercial establishments get ready to spend huge amounts on roof replacements when the older roof is 80-90% in good condition. Don’t rush to buy a new roof just because your roofing contractor says you need it, contact a reputed leakage detection specialist for a thorough inspection of the roof and get their technical help in choosing the right leakage solution that will save your organisation thousands of pounds and also get the problem fixed in the best way possible.

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Why Choose Infrared Thermography for Water Leak Detection?

If a leakage occurs in your office or warehouse electronic leak detection can help in assessing the true cause and effect of this leakage. Sometimes, a small hidden leak can be more dangerous than a huge crack that lets in plenty of water.  You need accurate detection of the leakages cause and source using precise leak detection methods. Infrared thermography is considered as the best method for building leak detection in the UK

This method uses an innovative technique of thermal imaging camera systems that analyse radiated energy. This helps in detecting the fault lines in the plumbing system. The accuracy of this method relies on the expertise of highly trained thermographers working with a trusted UK leak detection company. Infrared thermography offers a lot of benefits for water leakage detection. They include:

Accuracy in Detection:

Due to its latest technology, infrared thermography works with 100% accuracy for detection of hidden leaks in the walls, roofs, and basements.

Safety and Speed of Detection:

A potential leakage in any hidden area can pose severe risks to a building. There is no point in aggravating the problem by using an inaccurate and unsafe method of detection. Infrared thermography is faster and safer because it entails photography of the affected area for detailed analysis.

Non-Invasive Detection:

This technique scans the leaking areas and finds their origin without using traditional digging or drilling methods. It is non-invasive and does not require a breaking of the wall for finding the hidden leaks.

Infrared thermography is a comprehensive technology used by professional and reliable leak detection companies.  Whenever you need specialised leak detection in the UK, you should call the professionals.

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Top 5 causes for flat roof leakage

Keeping the place of your business in a good shape is very important to operate your establishment without any hindrance, especially when it comes to roofs. Most property owners would choose flat roofing for commercial reasons due to a variety of advantages. However, flat roofs are not unsusceptible to leakage issues. The most common reasons for leaks in flat roofs are given here,

The lifetime of the roofing

Despite your efforts with the maintenance plan, flat roofs become vulnerable to water leaks over the years.

Improper drainage

Flat roofs are more susceptible to collect snow and moisture than sloped roofs. In addition to that, if your drainage system is poor, it would contribute to water leakage. The usual signs of leakage issues due to improper drainage include sagging, structural weakness etc.

Blisters

This could indicate trapped moisture and leads to roof leak if not repaired. And if the situation is accompanied by extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and high winds, it could result in extreme damage.

Cracks

They could let the moisture to get in, which in turn would bring about roof leakage and other costly issues.

Damage in the flashing

Flashing are the metal strips that run through the roof edges. They are responsible for sealing the roofs from outer elements like water or litter. If there is any damage in the flashing, then roof leakage might occur.

If you observe any of the mentioned symptoms in your building, contact a leakage detection specialist in UK immediately. Professionals dedicated to building leak detection in UK would help identify whether there is any potential leakage problems in the roofing.

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