Roof Leak Detection Equipment And Methods

In Greeley, electronic leak detection (ELD) has been used for almost 20 years to check for leaks in both new and old roofs. At least three different ELD techniques exist, but they all operate on the same fundamental idea: employing electrical currents to precisely detect membrane breaks.

ELD has a number of benefits over alternative approaches. Alternatives include infrared thermography, nuclear moisture testing, and electrical impedance testing test for moisture; thus, a problem isn’t discovered until water is amassed under the membrane and harm has been done. Second, because they check for moisture, they can’t pinpoint where the leak is coming from. That work needs to be done independently, frequently while squatting.

The first step you should take if you leak in your roof is to stop the leak. You may find a detailed list of actions to take if your roof leaks. Regularly checking for leaks in the roof membrane and making necessary repairs are the apparent solutions. Once the only option, flood testing was surpassed by more effective techniques decades ago. Although infrared thermography and nuclear moisture testing are reliable, they only reveal insulation that has been saturated with water, not the root of the issue, which must be determined visually.

The remainder of this blog post will examine the numerous techniques for finding roofing leaks. If you can’t find it yourself be sure to reach out to your local roofer.

Heating and Cooling

A thermal imaging survey can also find a leak in the roof. This method of leak detection uses thermography, as the name would imply. A colored image is produced by this thermal imaging method. In this survey, wet areas will be displayed in a darker color. A Greeley roofing contractor or surveyor can locate leaks by identifying disparities in the roof’s surface temperature by examining the thermal imaging output.

Dry testing technique

To do a dry test, the surface of the roof being tested must be absolutely dry and free of moisture. This approach uses testing equipment that applies a direct current voltage across the roof’s surface to locate leaks.

On flat roofs, the dry testing technique is utilized to find holes and punctures along the surface of the roof. Comparing dry testing to wet testing, the latter is a far faster means of finding leaks. However, before leak detection starts, precise information on the membrane thickness must be supplied to the detector.

Find Trace Gas Leaks

A non-toxic gas is discharged beneath the area where the leak is coming from to detect roof leaks using trace gas. This specialized trace gas floats up through the roofing system when discharged, and the point at which it breaks through the roofing indicates where the leak is. The success rate of this leak-detecting technique is very high. This method of finding leaks is entirely safe and does not harm anyone’s property, environment, or surrounding area.

Wet Testing Technique

This technique for finding roof leaks involves spraying water on the roof’s surface. A trace cable is wrapped around the roof’s perimeter. This forms an electrical field. The earth leakage point within this electrical field can be found using the field’s pulses.

The wet testing procedure is unaffected by the roof’s membrane thickness.

Use of Electronic Leak Detection

Electronic leak detection, or ELD, is a technique for identifying flaws and leaks in non-conductive waterproof coverings and coats, such as flat roof shingles, geomembranes, and steel structure coatings.

Also, here are some samples of the most popular ELD you can use and buy:

Flat ceiling leak detector kit (Dry Roof Pro2)

Test a range of non-conductive flat roofing coverings quickly and effectively with the Dry Roof Pro2 flat electronic roof leak detection kit from Buckleys. It has a testing capacity of up to 1000m2 per hour under optimal conditions. This kit is the outcome of an extensive effort of study, development, and design.

It incorporates the newest technology, a completely redesigned user interface, a large multi-color display, and other features that make it the safest, most logical, and easiest-to-use instrument it has yet produced. This can easily survive the rigors of daily operation under challenging conditions because of its durable and fully enclosed construction, which has an IP65 rating.

Geomembrane arc testing kit (Geo Pro2)

This kit is a geomembrane integrity testing kit that uses Buckleys’ tried-and-true high-voltage DC technology to check geomembranes for leaks and faults after installation before they are put into service. Under ideal circumstances, it can test up to 1000m2 per hour.

The Geo Pro2 accommodates a wide range of applications and available electrodes and accessories, enabling this to adjust following precise testing specifications. The outcome of extensive study, development, and testing. Design software that utilizes the newest technology, a completely redesigned user interface, an instrument, and a huge multi-color display makes its menus more straightforward. This tool is the safest, most user-friendly model.

Flat roof leak detector kit (Wet Roof Pro)

The single-ply, bitumen, asphalt, and liquid applied roofs are examples of flat roofing systems that feature dielectric membrane overlays. It was created to find leaks in these systems. The building’s structure’s appropriate earth is where the negative terminal is attached. Water can enter the building’s structure through leaks in the roof membrane, causing a short circuit. The detection device can point the operator toward the direction of the leak by detecting the voltage difference between the test probes.

The conductive properties of water, which can be obtained through a hose or rainfall, allow for the detection of leaks. The generator and detector units are the kit’s two main parts. An electrical field is created across the roof surface by a “boundary wire” that is put around the edge of the test area and connected to the generator unit’s positive terminal.

Keep in mind that it’s crucial to fix leaks as soon as feasible. The leak must first be contained and taken care of. The second step is to get in touch with a professional to survey leak identification, and the third step is to fix the leak. We urge you to read the following blog post if you think your homeowner’s insurance covers roofing leaks (https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/does-homeowners-insurance-cover-roof-leaks/). Be sure to reach out to a reputable roofing company for more assistance.