The solution for detecting pinhole leaks in waterproofing membranes

 

Underestimating the potential consequences of unresolved pinhole leaks in waterproofing membranes can be costly, resulting in significant damage to property if not addressed. Pinholes in a single ply membrane can develop over time to become significant breaches resulting in internal damage or leaks.

Therefore, it essential to identify these at the earliest opportunity, whether it be as part of an integrity test to newly installed waterproofing or part of an ongoing maintenance programme for an existing installation.

 

Attempts to establish the integrity of waterproofing membranes precisely with the naked eye can be time consuming and often proves to be fruitless when the puncture or pinhole is miniscule.  Thornton Consulting provides an accurate and highly professional electronic leakdetection service to locate such pinholes for clients in the building and property sector throughout the UK.

 

Thornton Consulting were pioneers of Electronic Leak Detection and integrity testing of waterproofing membranes in the 1980’s, of which the pinhole test, also known as the “holiday” test forms a part. Since this time, we have built long-term working relationships with Main Contractors, Roofing Constructors and Material Manufacturers. Any existing issues can be identified and resolved avoiding further damage, with a pre-sign off inspection on new installations giving reassurance that the roof membrane is intact. 

 

Pinhole (Holiday) leak detection is carried out with a phosphor bronze brush through which an electrical charge is passed. The brush is then swept across a dry roof surface, with an alarm indicating to the operator the exact location of the breach. Breaches can then be easily repaired by the roofer and retested to ensure the roof is watertight at completion of the test.

 

Thornton Consulting is a customer-focused company with strong core values and is committed to providing a cost-effective and professional leak-detection service compliant to industry standards. Call us today on 01342 410508

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The value of commercial roof leak detection

 

Roofs in commercial properties generally cover a much larger expanse than residential homes and determining the entry point of a leak when a breach occurs

can prove to be challenging. Thornton Consulting have been providing a highly professional commercial roof leak detection services since the 1980’s as the leading test house across the property sector. This includes office blocks, municipal car parks, hotels, airports, retail centres, factories and distribution hubs throughout the UK and Ireland.  

 

Water ingress may not be immediately visible to the naked eye, especially if the water is pooling in an area of the building which is not regularly accessed. In warehouses for example, stock can be subject to water damage well before the

leak becomes evident. Mould and fungal growth spreads rapidly in a damp environment and if left unresolved this can result in considerable costs

and disruption to business operations. The origin of a breach in the roofing membrane may not be immediately above the point where water is manifesting into the property, as leaks can travel through the roof system of other part of the structure before they become evident.

 

Roof leak detection on commercial properties requires a methodical and accurate approach to establish the source of the water ingress and Thornton Consulting will liaise with clients to ascertain vital information regarding the type of roofing material and construction or other relevant information on the construction of the building. This pre-survey research will determine the best testing system to apply for identification, enabling recommendations to resolve the breach. 

 

Various positive detection methods have been developed over the years, which in the majority of survey procedures and whenever the structure allows, are non-destructive. Thornton Consulting’s team of time-served, skilled operatives work closely with Main Contractors, Architects, Facilities Management and Roofers to ensure the roof integrity of commercial property is secure and safeguarded from future water entry causing potential structural and internal content damage.   

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The benefits of flood testing for leak detection

 

 

Thornton Consulting provides a flood testing for leak detection service on commercial and large residential properties throughout the UK and Ireland and are specialists in locating and evaluating water ingress present on roofs and structures with waterproofing systems, for all leak infiltration sources.

 

It’s imperative to apply an accurate and precise leak detection method to establish the integrity of a roofs waterproofing system when leaks are manifesting internally to determine the leak source as efficiently as possible.

 

Various water integrity tests have been devised over the years, each with specific benefits and relevance of use.  When identifying the breach of any roof waterproofing membrane, flood testing for leak detection can in some circumstances be more appropriate and preferable to electronic methods. This is generally the case where the membrane is buried beneath a green roof or other finishes and can expedite the process of the leak investigation. It can also be beneficial where there are multiple water ingress sites or conductive membranes have been installed.

 

A leak can go undetected for a considerable amount of time and if left without attention, this can result in serious structural and costly damage to items such as internal finishes and electrical and mechanical systems. The first evidence may be visual signs of damp patches or mould growth appearing on the interior ceilings and walls with a distinct musty odour. However, when a leak is visible on a ceiling it can’t be assumed that this is the exact spot where the breach occurred. A flood test is an efficient way of establishing the integrity of the waterproofing in the vicinity if the leak, in the first instance, and can be accompanied by other test methods to accurately home in on the source.

 

Fluorescent, soluble dies can be applied during flood testing, enabling any water pathways to be identified and traced. This water integrity test can be carried out on any size of building structures, including commercial, residential blocks and industrial premises, ensuring there are no defects which may result in water penetration. It should be noted, however, that some preparatory works may be required in some circumstances.

 

Depending on the roof stability and the area covered, the flood leak testing procedure is generally carried out with internal monitoring over a period of up to 48 hours. Diligent pre-testing assessments are undertaken to ascertain that the weight-bearing properties and drainage system are suitable for the volume of water which will be applied. Thornton Consulting provides a reliable and cost-efficient service with a dedicated work-force of Consultants, Field Testers and knowledgeable office staff who all respect the company’s client-focused ethics and core-values.

 

For more information about our leak  detection services please call us on 01342 410508 or use our contact form

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Roof integrity testing benefits

Electronic leak detection of waterproofing membranes is a non-destructive roof integrity test which can accurately pinpoint breaches in waterproof coverings of flat roofs far more effectively than traditional flood testing and without the requirement for internal access into the building.

As pioneers of this technique in the 1980’s, Thornton Consulting provide a full survey and integrity testing service for clients throughout the UK and Ireland. Any breaches or defects in the roofing membrane can be precisely located which may not be as easily found with more traditional methods.

 

Main contractors, Roofers and Architects have re-assurance that the membrane is watertight and reliable in the long-term before the work is signed-off, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming repairs caused by water ingress. When there are interior signs of a roof leak the origin is often difficult to locate with the naked eye and water damage can rapidly occur, whether it be water marks, mould or significant water ingress events. If the leak is neglected, over time the interior structure and contents of the property will be at risk of deterioration. 

 

By identifying the exact location of the leak with electronic roof integrity testing equipment, the expense and time wasted in replacing the entire roofing membrane can be avoided. Thornton Consulting’s experienced operatives will use the appropriate equipment for both wet or dry conditions and although most membranes are suitable for this method of roof integrity testing, they will only carry out the test following a diligent survey to ensure this is the correct approach. Attempting to locate a leak without engaging a professional can prove to be a false economy, resulting in further damage to the roof structure.

 

Although no roofing system lasts forever, a securely sealed roof membrane should have a lengthy life-span and withstand the elements. Property owners can benefit considerably from roof integrity surveys, giving peace of mind that the

there are no failures and the membrane is watertight. Early identification of any areas in need of repair will ensure high expenditure to rectify further deterioration is avoided.  For more information call us on 01342 410508

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Property damage prevention with efficient leak detection

The timescale for property damage occurring from even relatively minimal water ingress can be rapid, resulting in high-cost repairs and restoration. Independent test house Thornton Consulting provide a professional and highly efficient electronic leak detection and consultancy service to assess where a weakness in the waterproofing system or building envelope has resulted in a water path into the structure to ensure early intervention will prevent further deterioration. This precise location and analysis of water ingress into a building has significant value for Main Contractors, Roofers and Architects, Facilities/Building Managers, Surveyors and the wider property sector throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

 

Water ingress during the construction of a new building can delay completion and necessitate the costly removal and replacement of damaged materials. This can be prevented with precision leak detection and is particularly beneficial in identifying defects or breaches in the roofing membrane or any other vulnerable parts of the building envelope. Commercial and industrial premises are at risk of both operational delays and financial loss when leaks are not detected when they first occur. Thornton Consulting use specialist equipment to identify the origin of the leaks, avoiding serious damage to water-sensitive internal systems and valuable or irreplaceable stock.  

The initial indication of water infiltration may be visual evidence of damp patches or mould appearing on interior walls and ceilings, with a distinctive musty smell. However, not all leaks are visible initially so may only become visible over time, particular where voids in the structure are present,  in which case more severe, unnoticed damage may occur.  In such circumstacnes early detection and repair are essential to ensure the ongoing intergrtiy of the structure. A planned maintenance plan of an existing building is one way in which this can be achieved, utilising Thornton Consultings leak detection or roof condition survey services.

 

As water ingress sites in buildings are variable and complex, Thornton Consulting employ various leak testing methods to accurately pinpoint the issue and wherever possible this will be non-destructive. Established over 30 years ago, the company has achieved a high reputation for an exceptional leak detection service and a close working relationship with clients.  Call us today on 01342 410508 to find out how we can help.

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The advantage of non-destructive borescope inspections

 

If you aren’t familiar with the technique of using a borescope or flexible inspection camera for non-destructive leak detection, you will be unaware of the advantages of this inspection method when otherwise restricted or inaccessible parts of the building call for water ingress to be identified. This is particularly beneficial in sourcing the leak within areas which aren’t visible to the naked eye. A borescope can best be described as being similar to a medical endoscope, but with a straight and rigid probe where the optical device can view at 90° into the structure. Whereas an inspection camera views in the direction of travel but can be bent to manoeuvre through the structure. Both have their distinct advantages and are invaluable when tracings building leaks.

 

Established more than 30 years ago, Thornton Consulting are industry leaders in the provision of a highly professional leak detection and consultancy service throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Their client portfolio includes Main Contractors, Landlords, Architects, Surveyors, Facilities Management, Building Managers and many more within the property sector.

 

A borescope inspection can be an invaluable asset in assessing the integrity of elements within a cavity wall. This is particularly useful in determining the source of a leak so that further investigations or remedial repairs can be targeted at the right area of the structure.

 

Similarly, a flexible inspection can be used to locate defects in the structure which are difficult to access and confirm the source of leak when combined with other test methods such as a simulated rainfall test. Often an assessment can also me made where different elements of the structure interface and the integrity of each item.

 

These hi-tech surveying procedures with high-resolution cameras are cost-efficient and effective in the identification of any trouble spots in a confined areas when carried out by Thornton Consulting’s highly experienced operatives. Images can be taken and included in a report for reference which will not only give peace of mind that all defects have been accurately located, but clients will also be able to make an informed decision on rectifying areas of concern should any be identified during the inspection. Call us today on 01342 410508 or is preferred use the contact form on our website

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Locating breaches with electronic leak detection

 

Electronicleak detection for locating breaches in the roofing membrane is an extremely accurate technology used to establish the integrity of the waterproofing system.  Thornton Consulting has been an advocate of wet and dry electronic leak testing methods since the 1980’s as an alternative to the traditional flood testing. Over the years, this has become the preferred method for architects and construction companies in identifying and addressing any ingress locations within the waterproofing material, before signing-off the project.

The accuracy of electronic integrity testing enables even pinhole defects which aren’t easily visible to the naked eye to be located and resolved. This is a non-destructive test procedure which is also environmentally-friendly as the method doesn’t require high volumes of water to be wasted.  Where the membrane is incompatible with the use of electronic equipment, such as EPDM, Thornton Consulting is able to provide alternative testing techniques.

As there is a wide complexity of potential issues with differing structures and waterproofing materials, there is certainly no one-size-fits-all approach to leak detection, which is why it is important for independent test houses, such as Thornton Consulting, to be involved from the outset of a project as we have vast experience in testing all types of flat roofing systems.

Both flat and low-slope roofs are commonly found in shopping centres, hotels, schools and apartment blocks. Thornton Consulting also provides an invaluable and comprehensive Roof Condition Survey, of which electronic leak detection forms a part, but will also assess all potential leak sources affecting the structure and provide relevant information on the performance of the roof and expected life expectancy.

In addition to this, we also offer a building leak detection service which will accurately locate the source and cause of water ingress pathway into the structure. Again, electronic leak detection of the waterproofing membrane can form an important part of this service enabling any breaches in the waterproofing membrane to be identified and resolved, or if no breaches are indicated providing reassurance that the roof covering is performing as expected.

When testing has been completed, clients will be provided with a comprehensive test report which will include specific details relating to the leak locations and recommendations for remedial work which should be carried out to rectify the breach or cause of the leak. Thornton Consulting is an independent test house specialising in the location and detection of leaks in waterproofing systems which have been newly installed, including many prestigious properties. The reputation for an exemplary cost-effective service provided for Main Contractors, Roofing Companies, Architects and Material Manufacturers throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland has been achieved over the last 30 years, building strong working relationships within the industry sector.   

Call us on 01342 410508 to find out more.

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