Plumbing leaks can cause costly, irreversible damage in both commercial and residential buildings. Employing modern technology in leak detection is an effective way of unearthing and managing leaks before they cause further destruction. One of the best leak detection techs today is the use of infrared or thermal imaging scanners. Infrared scanners do not see through walls. However, they can detect subtle temperature patterns and changes that signal moisture in an area. Below are some benefits of incorporating this technology into your leak detection procedures.
Easy detection of unseen leaks
Not all plumbing leaks materialise on the surface. With most plumbing pipes installed out of sight, it may take a while to notice a leak. When you do, the damage caused by the moisture may be costly. Infrared technology allows for easy detection of unseen leaks in the following areas:
- Main supply line
- Crawl space and in-wall plumbing pipes
- Ceiling plumbing leaks in multi-storey buildings
- Leaking floor and wall tiles in bathrooms
You don't have to wait to see mould, peeling paint or wet patches on your ceiling to locate a water leak. With infrared technology, you can detect subtle leaks before they cause catastrophic damage to your structure.
Minimal structural disruptions
Traditional leak detection techniques are disruptive. If you suspect a leak in a plumbing pipe, you have to remove tiling or break through wall plaster to ascertain the source of the leak. Due to the high margin of error, one may be forced to disrupt a large portion of their structure to locate a leak.
Infrared detection does not disrupt or invade the building. You only need to point the thermal camera towards the targeted area. The scanner uses the temperature variations to map out locations with potential moisture damage. For accurate results, you need an expert who understands how to use the infrared scanner and interpret results. Experts also use a moisture meter to confirm the scanner's results.
Fast and cost-effective technique
Infrared leak detection is incredibly fast and cost-effective. Since there's no structural disruption, results are instant, and you can cover a wide area over a short period. Also, you don't have to carry out costly repairs after the procedure. This technology makes it possible to scan most or all of the entire plumbing system for potential leaks. Thus, residential and commercial building owners can incorporate leak detection into their annual plumbing maintenance schedule.
Gone are the days when leak detection involved tearing down plaster and removing floor tiles. Infrared technology provides a non-invasive, fast, accurate and cost-effective way of detecting leaks in plumbing systems. Contact a plumbing contractor for infrared leak detection services.
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