Whether it’s a slow drip from a ceiling, an unexplained damp spot on a wall or a constant flow of water in the shower area although no one is using the area, finding the source of the leak is rarely straightforward. Water has a sneaky way of traveling through the smallest cracks, crevices, and gaps, making it difficult to determine the exact origin of the seepage. Even worse, a leak might only show itself in one area while originating somewhere completely different. The source of leak may not always be corresponding to the leakage area. This is where advanced leak detection technology comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into how water leakages usually occur, the vulnerable areas in building structures where leaks tend to happen, and the preliminary tests that help identify whether the issue stems from a water supply pipe or a waterproofing failure. We’ll also highlight how thermal imaging, ultrasonic leak detection, and borescope leak detection can narrow down to the source of the problem.
How Water Leakages Occur
Water can enter your building through a number of avenues, and each potential source presents unique challenges. While the presence of water in a specific spot may be obvious, its path to that location often isn’t.
Here are the common ways water can infiltrate your structure:
Rainwater Penetration: Heavy rains can saturate the exterior of a building. If there are cracks in the walls, windows, or roof, water will find its way in, especially during long periods of rainfall or storms. And especially when the external waterproofing system has worn out and is unable to prevent water ingress.
Plumbing Failures: Leaks from water supply pipes, drainage pipes, sanitary appliances or even sewage pipes within the building’s structure can go undetected for long periods. Often, these are hidden behind walls or under floors.
Groundwater Seepage: In buildings with basements or underground structures, groundwater may seep through walls or floors if the waterproofing isn’t up to par or if the hydrostatic pressure increases. Common areas of groundwater seepage include basement carparks of commercial or industrial buildings, basement rooms or garages of landed residential, etc.
Condensation and Humidity: Sometimes, what seems like a water leak is actually condensation caused by poor ventilation. This is especially common in bathrooms. Sometimes, the seepage is caused by defective air-conditioning insulated pipes which requires further checks by air-con professionals.
Vulnerable Areas for Water Leaks in Building Structures
Water tends to target the weaker areas of any building, making some parts of your structure more prone to leakage. Recognizing these weak points can help you take preventive measures and respond quickly if a leak does occur. More often than not, joints of building structure or materials are the weak areas for water ingress.
Roofs and Skylights: Water commonly enters through poorly installed or aged roofing materials. Skylights are particularly susceptible to leaks, especially if the sealant wears down over time with exposure to rain and sun.
Windows and Doors: If the seals around windows and doors are compromised, rainwater can seep inside. This can happen due to poor installation, wear and tear or quality of materials.
Ceiling slab: Especially for wet areas like yard or toilets, a defective waterproofing system, coupled with cracks in the slab for water to flow, would result in inter-floor or the adjoining perimeter leakages.
Walls and Façades: Cracks in walls, particularly in older buildings, can allow water to enter. Façade systems, such as glass curtains, especially if not properly maintained, can also develop gaps and separations where water can enter. It is advisable to ensure that the external waterproofing system are checked regularly to ensure all defects are addressed timely to prevent water seepages.
Balconies and Terraces: Poor drainage and improper waterproofing can cause water to pool on balconies and roof top terraces, which may eventually seep into the building’s structure.
How Advanced Leak Detection Technologies Help
With advanced leak detection methods like thermal imaging, ultrasonic leak detection, and borescope cameras, they can help identify leaks in areas that are difficult to access or see with the naked eye. Here’s how each tool works:
Thermal Leak Detection
Thermal imaging cameras detect temperature variations on the surface of walls, floors, and ceilings, making them an effective tool for tracing hidden leaks. Water leakage often causes cooler spots in structures because the water evaporates and cools the surrounding materials.
How it works:
– Thermal cameras scan the affected areas for heat patterns.
– Cold spots typically indicate moisture, which could be the result of a leak.
– The technician can then trace the source of the cooler area back to where the water is likely entering the structure.
Advantages:
– Non-invasive: There’s no need to tear down walls or floors.
– Quick detection: It covers a large area in a short time.
– Versatile: It can be used for both small and large leaks.
Ultrasonic Leak Detection
Ultrasonic devices detect the sound frequencies created by leaking water. As water escapes from pipes, it creates ultrasonic noise, which is often inaudible to the human ear but can be picked up by these sensitive devices.
How it works:
– Technicians use an ultrasonic leak detector to scan the area, especially around along the suspected water supply pipe line.
– The device picks up the sound of water moving through cracks or holes in the pipe.
– The technician pinpoints the exact location of the leak based on the strongest sound frequency.
Advantages:
– Highly accurate: It provides precise leak detection in pipes.
– Fast diagnosis: Detects leaks quickly even in hard-to-reach places.
– Minimally disruptive: Can be used without major disruptions to the building’s structure.
Borescope Leak Detection
A borescope is a flexible camera that can be inserted into small spaces like wall riser, false ceiling or pipes. It allows the technician to visually inspect areas that are otherwise inaccessible without tearing down walls or digging up floors.
How it works:
– The borescope is inserted into small openings or drilled access points.
– A camera at the tip of the borescope provides a live feed of the inside of pipes or walls.
– The technician can spot visual signs of water ingress, damage, or cracks.
Advantages:
– Non-invasive: Minimal intrusion is required to access hidden spaces.
– Visual confirmation: The camera provides a clear, visual identification of the leak source.
– Precise: It’s ideal for pinpointing specific cracks or holes causing the leak.
How These Technologies Work Together
No one method is foolproof, and often, a combination of these technologies is needed to fully resolve a water leakage issue based on a case-by-case basis. For instance, thermal imaging can help identify cold spots caused by water accumulation, while ultrasonic leak detection can pinpoint the sound of escaping water. If further confirmation is needed, a borescope can be inserted into walls or pipes to visually confirm the leak’s location. At SWC Consultancy, we use an integrated approach to ensure that the diagnoses are conducted as comprehensive as possible.
Conclusion
With advanced leak detection technologies like thermal imaging, ultrasonic leak detector, and borescope cameras, identifying even the most hidden leaks becomes a manageable task. If you’re dealing with a persistent leak that you can’t locate, don’t hesitate to call in to SWC Consultancy Pte Ltd to speak with our water leak detection specialists to further assist you.