Advances in Water Leak Detection
Water leak detection, also known as trace and access or underground leak detection, is a very tricky thing to get right. Often the signs of water damage appear in a property quite a distance from the actual water leak itself. Physical forces such as gravity, a botched plumbing repair, capillary action, damp proof membranes and building construction type can all cause water to flow quite a distance from the burst pipe to cause flood damage elsewhere in a property. This can add to water damage repair cost and can take time to detect and repair.
Old traditional methods of water leak detection usually involves disruptive property damage such as digging holes to find underground water pipes or knocking through walls to detect the source of a water leak inside a property. This all adds to the disruption and increases reinstatement costs - and of course, it adds time to any water damage repair project.
Water Leak Detection Techniques & Technology
However, nowadays, skilled insurance repair companies are turning more and more to technology for water leak detection. Water leak detection services include technologies such as:
The ‘Ferret’
A new and clever device that uses water pressure to quickly pinpoint the source of an underground water leak.
Tracer Gas
Used to ‘Sniff out’ even the tiniest leak in a pipe,
Boroscope Cameras
For visual inspection purposes.
Infrared cameras
For visual enhancement
Acoustic Oscillators
These use frequencies and acoustic ground microphones for leak detection.
The Paradigm Approach to Water Leak Detection
Based in Central Scotland, Paradigm Reinstatements is a leading trace and access specialist. With underground water leaks it can mean digging several holes looking for a water leak, using visual clues or ‘listening sticks’ – a crude metal pole that you place on the pipe and place the wooden handle to your ear. These can be effective but only work well with metal pipes, not the more modern plastic based pipes that are widely used today.
Trace the leak using the relevant technology.
Access the leak with precision.
Remove the leaking pipe.
Repair and restore with the minimal disruption.
Minimising Damage & Disruption
Nowadays companies like Paradigm use water leak detection equipment like ‘The Ferret’ to easily detect exactly where the leak occurs. So only one hole is dug and the water leak is repaired quickly cutting down on labour costs and disruption. Using new water leak technology water damage restoration companies like Paradigm can detect a leak to within half a metre in a pipe a kilometre long.
When you are looking at building restoration contractors, it is wise to choose one that has its own drainage division as well as trace and access leak detection technology. Remember, some drainage contractors know they get ‘paid by the holes dug’ so the more holes they dig, the more they can charge. This is why some insurance claim repairs are so high. If the water leak contractor has full control over the entire water leak detection and leak repair process it’s possible to generate huge savings on the indemnity spend
Finally, once the water leak detection and repair process is completed, the property inspection needs to be thorough to seek out any residual moisture in insulation or structures. This forms part of the insurance restoration project and if not done thoroughly could cause real problems weeks or months later after the claim is closed. Penetrating damp after a water damage repair is not uncommon so restoration companies should carry out full inspections with a damp meter and experienced practitioners as part of the overall water damage insurance claim.
However, with new technology and office or home repairs being carried out by companies using new leak detection system technology, there is every reason to be confident that your building reinstatement will be carried out quickly and efficiently, to a very high standard.
