How to find a water leak

Video Transcript

Leak detection is one of the many specialist services we provide. Our experts are equipped to locate concealed and hard-to-find water leaks and sources of ingress.
A systematic approach called “trace and access” is followed. The methods are largely non-invasive, so cause minimal damage. Insurance companies usually insist on the approach we take because it saves time and repair cost.

In this video on how to find a water leak, a damp patch on a bedroom ceiling is used as an example. We aim to show how some of our equipment is used.
After an initial assessment our tradesman decides how the investigation should begin. First up…

Moisture Meter

When wanting to find how much water is present, a moisture meter is used. It detects levels of moisture even when there are no visible signs of damp. It’s usually the first piece of equipment used. Multiple readings are taken and included within the final report. In this case, significant readings were only found in the stained area. This indicated a fairly isolated issue. The next test was…

Salts Analysis

A small amount of saturated material is needed to test. It reveals if chlorides or nitrates are present. Chlorides indicate a water leak from a mains supply, while nitrates point to a ground water source. Here our tradesman detected chlorides. Although this points to a plumbing leak, a problem on the roof couldn’t be ruled out. This is because a roofer had previously used mains water to try and find the leak. Next up was…

Borescope Camera

These flexible cameras can be inserted through stud walls, ceilings voids and into tight spaces. If small access holes need to be drilled, they’re easily filled and repaired after. Here, our tradesman was looking for evidence of a water leak in the space above the ceiling. Plumbing pipework seen here turned attention to a shower room on the floor above.

Even though the shower isn’t directly above the bedroom it needed investigation. Water often tracks along structural supports within a building. It means the visible signs of damp can be found some distance from the actual source.

A Thermal Image Camera was used as part of a flood test to check for a water leak through the tiled area. The camera picks up small temperature gradients created by leaking hot or cold water. Temperature differences behind walls or floors can be detected without needing to damage and remove tiles. Tests were also carried out on bathroom pipes connected to the sink and toilet in this room but no evidence of a water leak could be found. Attention moved to the roof.

Flood Testing

An Aspect roofer was asked to join the investigation. Flood testing small sections of the roof methodically was done to find the leak. The moisture meter and thermal image camera were used to test for increasing moisture levels. After flood testing several sections, and taking moisture readings at every stage, the source of the water leak was found: Small cracks in the pointing of the parapet wall.

Rainwater was getting into the wall and slowly working its way down to the lowest point. It was then working its way into the property.

Repair Work

We provide a full repair service. In this case the homeowner was given a scope of work and fixed price quote to get it resolved. The customer was able to claim against her building insurance for both the investigation to find the leak and the repair work.

Summary
If you have a hidden or hard to find water leak in your property you should get it investigated. Damp problems that go unresolved can easily cause bigger damage than visible signs may suggest. If you’re trying how to find a water leak the trace and access approach shown here can save time and money.

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