Water Damage http://waterdamage.co.uk Water & Flood Damage Restoration Specialists - London & Surrounds Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:50:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera http://waterdamage.co.uk/thermal-imaging-leak-detection http://waterdamage.co.uk/thermal-imaging-leak-detection#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:01:15 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=607 Thermal Imaging Diagnostics:

Our in house ITC qualified Infrared Thermal Imaging Specialists provide an invaluable diagnostic service ranging from leak detection, to water damage mapping and electrical fault finding.

wet wall Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Thermal imaging detection of wet wall

wetwall dry1 Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Wet wall without the thermal imaging camera insight

Because of their physical properties, some materials transmit heat better than others. Water is a fairly compact collection of hydrogen and oxygen that adsorbs heat readily and takes longer than most building materials to change temperature; we thus use this to our advantage. The thermal image to the left is the inside face of an external wall with glass doors either side. This wall looks completely normal to the naked eye, however the plasterboard and the ceiling directly above proved to be extremely damp. The tiles on the floor below had started to pop up. Using thermal imaging we were able to prove that the reason for the tiles popping up was due to water damage from above, allowing water to invisibly travel down the wall and under the tiles; not originating beneath the tiles. This water damage was fresh however; which we deduced several ways….

 

 

invisible wet ceiling Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Invisible damp in the ceiling detected through thermal imaging

This is a picture of the same ceiling above the indoor swimming pool. The temperature inside the pool room is kept constant, and therefore the temperature of any water moisture in materials would eventually reach equilibrium with the temperature of the room. This was one of the ways in which we could deduce that the water damage found in the above image at the other end of the room was recent; it had not yet reached equilibrium temperature with the rest of the room. Further findings added to this deduction. In the image to the left you can see that the ceiling shows no immediate marks or blemishes, but when looked at closely with the thermal imaging camera, large individual damp areas could be seen. This made no immediate sense however as there was no understandable connection between these areas and the known about water damaged area. To figure out why these areas existed and if they were related, we needed to go to the flat roof above.

thermal image of invisible wet ceiling Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Thermal imaging to find pipe in ceiling

We did not have any prior information on the layout of the drainage system. We used a hosepipe attached to the cold mains supply to pour water directly into the drain of the flat roof above, in order to observe any related water damage live with the thermal imaging camera. Returning to the swimming pool room, we used the thermal imaging camera to observe. As the cold water changed the temperature of the drainage pipe behind the plasterboard, the pathology of the drainage pipe suddenly became visible. The pipe had reached equilibrium temperature with the rest of the room and when it had been made cold, it had become visible (see the green line).
As you can see (indicated by the green line), we were now able to see how two areas of water damage on opposite sides of the room were thus connected; the now visible drainage pipe travelled back across the inside of the ceiling towards the centre of the main house where a manhole was situated prior to the swimming pool extension being built. In this way, we were able to tie all areas where water damage was present, in line with the path of the drainage pipe. The water was run through the pipe for over an hour but no more, or new, water damage became visible. We began to no longer suspect the pipe as the source of the leak. There were several areas of water damage along the pipe’s path; why were certain areas wet and not others? Was there more than one point of ingress? And why were the areas of water damage not visibly expanding whilst the hose pipe was running within the pipe? It was too much of a coincidence that there was a drainage pipe linking up all of these new areas of water damage, for it to be unrelated. We therefore decided to flood the flat roof area just outside of the drain mouth; this was a bottom up approach adopted to systematically rule out the ingress potential of the lowest area of the roof first. Using the thermal imaging camera we observed the dark damp areas visible in the picture to the left, expand.
colar joint TI Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Thermal image of a pipe collar joint through a ceiling

This thermal image assisted in answering our questions. The white at the right of this image is where the drainpipe started beneath the ceiling. The left is where the water damage in this area stopped. As you can see, where the water damage stops, it has a rectangular shape. This is because there is a collar joint here where the straight of the drainage pipe meets the right angle which connects up into the flat roof. When we flooded the area around the pipe mouth, it began to cause fresh water damage on the ceiling beneath (only visible at first through thermography. But when we poured water down the drain, no water damage appeared. This led us to believe that it was not the pipe which was leaking, but the seal around the edge of the drain; water was flowing down the side of the pipe as opposed to down the drain into the pipe, and dripping onto the ceiling where it met the collar joint.
Ordinary colar joint Finding a leaking pipe through a ceiling using a thermal imaging camera

Pipe Collar Joint

The rectangular water damage shape is the water damage impression of the collar joint. Further down the ceiling, along the path of the pipe, this can be seen again, and where the pipe meets the wall, where we find the water damage in the top picture. Water had therefore been making its way along the pipe and at intervals where it could not continue running as well (such as collar joints, and where joists touched the piping) and had been redirected off the pipe onto the back of the ceiling. It may have looked at first as if there were several leaking areas, but in reality, there was only one. Thermal imaging thus helped diagnose this and saved money and time by providing a non invasive diagnostic technique which could be conducted from a distance.

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/thermal-imaging-leak-detection/feed 0 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-days-3-4 http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-days-3-4#comments Wed, 30 Mar 2011 07:46:33 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=565 Water Damage Restoration, and Drying Day 2:

The basement was tanked so it required drying in a different way. Over night the electricity blew and no drying happened. This set us back so we decided to use a powerful heat trailer to dry the building much faster. The heat trailer is diesel powered and has an inlet fan and an outlet heater. The heat coming out of it is almost unbearable so refrigerant dehumidifiers would just plain not work whilst this was installed. Hot air rises, and warm air can hold more moisture. This means that the lower down the heat input, the greater good it would do and the higher up the dehumidifiers needed to be. Instead of refrigerants, we placed desiccant dehumidifiers and low grain dehumidifiers which worked at much greater temperatures, in the room and placed the outlet flues out of the cat flap and out of the windows. Some rooms were able to contain refrigerant dehumidifiers still as they were to be lesser affected by the heat trailer. We therefore ran the desiccant flues straight into the back of the dehumidifiers. The buckets on the remaining dehumidifiers required emptying regularly; this was no change to the situation prior.

desiccants 224x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) heat trailer1 262x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) heat trailer11 300x223 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4)
desiccant into a dehumidfier1 300x222 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) back of dehum 232x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) heat trailer 3 250x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4)
Heat trailer hoses2 300x226 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) heat trailer yellow and red hose 300x222 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4)

The building began to quickly dry using this technology, and we were able to monitor this and prove it by measuring the moisture in the walls with a moisture content reader, a tramex, the thermal imaging camera (for moisture mapping), and most importantly, with the thermo-hygrometer. However, the brick cavity wall with the cavity wall insulation was the hardest to material to dry. We had to come up with a more intuitive drying system if we were to successfully dry these materials and this cavity. We already had helix fans pointing at 45 degrees to the walls and dehumidifiers positioned close by, but we had made small holes in the brick and places sleeves in there so we could take equilibrium humidity readings and monitor the dryness of the walls. These readings were not looking good!

Water Damage Restoration, and Drying Day 3:

Day 3; we decided to remove he skirting board and drill several of holes into the brickwork that could be easily filled once the drying had finished. Gravity is our friend during water damage jobs and therefore if we pumped hot air in from a desiccant using a compressor, we could dry the cavity from the inside and capture the air coming out with the refrigerant  dehumidifier. The setup can be seen below. The skirting board could be placed back on and no one would see the holes or the fillings.

equalibrium measuring point 220x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) dehum input 297x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) dehum input2 300x215 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4)

 

Water Damage Restoration, and Drying Day 4:

Day 4; we returned to find that the house had successfully been dried in under 4 days thank to the heat trailer and our desiccant injection system. Our thermo-hygrometers were checked and the readings documented to ensure that the humidity of the property was acceptable all around. Final readings were taken;  Tramexs and moisture content meters were used to moisture map and establish if the walls were still wet, and how far up (they were now dry). The thermal imaging camera was used to compare to the images taken on day two, and the equalibrium relative humidity of the concrete floor in the basement and under the carpets was measured after 48 hours using an appropriate British Standard measuring system (this can be seen below). All in all, the building was thoroughly dry and therefore reparation works could begin.

IMG 2702 e1301414986441 300x224 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4) IMG 2697 e1301415037940 224x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 3 & 4)
Water Damage .co.uk Final Day and Repair Work:

Building Response of BuildingResponse.co.uk we contacted, and moved in within 24 hours to decorate and rebuild saturated and ruined kitchen units, as well as replace the underlay and fill inspection holes. The property was restored to its former condition and all within 7 days. The occupants were very pleased, and the insurance company did not have to spend vast sums of money on replacement office accommodation.

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-days-3-4/feed 0 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-waterdamage-co-uk-portfolio-1 http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-waterdamage-co-uk-portfolio-1#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:43:09 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=484 Water Damage .co.uk were contacted by a client who had suffered a class 3 loss with category 2 water;

the water storage tank on the roof had split and filled the roof like a swimming pool. The flat roof had parapet walls on all four sides of it and all the drains were blocked from leaves and debris. This meant that the water sat on the roof and put immense pressure on its surface, particularly in areas where depressions had formed. The property was an American style home at the rear of a farm which had been built as an office building not less than 14 years prior to the incident. The building was raised and had a crawl space underneath and an above ground level, 4ft deep, basement used for wine and general storage. The water on the roof had gradually found ingress points and had begun leaking through the ceiling. Eventually these points opened up, and the entire roof plateau of water poured into the building. We were given 4 days to dry the property, and arrived within5 hours the water starting to gush through. The following are some preliminary photographs of that we took and that were provided by the clients. The clients had already removed almost all valuables including computers, desk chairs, screens, pictures and other wall mounted objects, before we arrived. The electricity had fortunately not tripped out; YET!

flooded floor 300x272 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) full basement 224x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) wet carpet 300x223 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) wet carpet sitting water2 300x205 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

 

 

Water Damage .co.uk arrived at the scene:

Water Damage .co.uk  arrived at the scene equipped with a 1100cc Nissan Diesel pump engine capable of high powered suction so that the basement could be drained as quickly as possible and weighted Hoovers could be attached so that the water could be sucked out of the carpets. Not all of the water would be removed this way, but the bulk of the water would be. 4 IIRCR Water Damage Restoration Technicians attended the scene on day one, all qualified and experienced in Applied Structural Drying; one operative was also a qualified Thermal Imaging Specialist but such technology was not subsequently required.

Small round stickers were stuck to the wall where the water damage area ended and every day new reading were taken and different colour stickers were added so that we could monitor the reduction in moisture as it slowly left the walls. This was not as easily done with regard to the brick walls and different technology was used to dry them. All of the electricity was turned off immediately we arrived on site. Our foreman produced a risk assessment and then addressed everyone including the clients as to the findings of this assessment. All electrical points were taped off so that any water or water vapour would be restricted from entering. It was essential that no sitting water was present before the electricity could be turned back on and used. Then truck mounted generator was turned on and our team used weighted wet hoovers to suck as much moister out of the carpets in ever room starting in the middle of the room so that water would be drawn away from the edges into the center.

weighted hoover 300x223 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

Weighted hoover attached to a 1100cc Nissan truck mounted pump engine used by water damage .co.uk

Thermal imaging camera1 222x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

Thermal Imaging Camera held by James de Miguel for use on site. This item was not required on Day 1 of drying as all walls and the ceiling was wet (Class 3 loss).

basement pump1 226x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

The 1100cc truck mounted water pump was placed into the basement and removed all the water in under 40 mins.

carpet hoover3 300x223 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

Weighted carpet hoover attached to the 1100cc pump

Truck mount pump engine 225x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

1100cc truck mounted pump engine.

Thermo-hygrometers were placed all around the site so that the drying process could be monitored and informed decisions could be made as to whether the building required open or closed drying (whether outside humidity was lower than inside humidity and the building would benefit from having the windows and doors open). These were then monitored twice per day and all information was recorded. The data taken from these was also used to help us understand how the drying process was progressing in each room. Moisture content Tramex’s were used to moisture map and establish how far up the walls water had wicked in rooms which were class 1 and class 2 loss only.

thermohygrometer 221x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)

Once the bulk of the water had been removed, we were able to turn off the pump and move the truck out of the way. We could then remove the underlay. The carpets varied in makeup from room to room. One room had a 90% wool carpet and therefore removing it was not an option as the weave would almost certainly denature and shrink; drying that in place therefore our only option. The other carpets could have their underlay removed and disposed of; underlay often takes too long to dry and sometimes its made of such synthetic materials that it is almost impossible to extract the water completely. We removed the underlay and disposed of it and then put the carpet back on the grab rails so that it did not lose its shape. We then set up powerful carpet floating fans and lifted opposing corners of the carpets so that they could be held down to the ground and a powerful, constant supply of air could be passed beneath the bottom of the carpet and the wooden sub-floor. Such pressure would help speed up the drying process of both the carpet and the wood; new underlay could be fitted once the carpet had been dried and was no longer at risk of denaturing. The woolen carpet was restored to its original condition and did not denature in any way. Air movers and dehumidifiers were also placed above the carpet level so that the air movers (which were pointed at 45 degrees to all wet walls) could blow surface moisture into the air from the bricks and stud work and the refrigerant dehumidifiers would pick it up. This was day one drying efforts complete; we then left this to dry overnight.

air circulation 222x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) air circulation 2 300x216 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) air movers and fans 300x227 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)
Dehumidifer and air mover 224x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) Helix drying fan 2 300x223 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2) Helix Drying Fan in the basement 226x300 Drying a water damaged property (Days 1 & 2)


Follow this link to see drying days 3 & 4

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/drying-a-water-damaged-property-waterdamage-co-uk-portfolio-1/feed 0 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-chapel-thermal-imaging-survey http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-chapel-thermal-imaging-survey#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:55:23 +0000 The Water Damage Team http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=386 Recent thermal imaging survey of Keel University Chapel in Staffordshire.

keele university chapel thermal imaging survey 4 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel thermal imaging survey 3 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel thermal imaging survey 2 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel thermal imaging survey 1 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel 3 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel 2 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey keele university chapel 1 150x150 Keele University Chapel Thermal Imaging Survey ]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-chapel-thermal-imaging-survey/feed 0 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-hall-thermal-imaging-survey http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-hall-thermal-imaging-survey#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:27:35 +0000 The Water Damage Team http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=342 A recent thermal survey of Keele University Hall, Staffordshire England.

keele hall thermal imaging survey 1 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele university hall front 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele university hall gates 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele university hall 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall keele staffordshire 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 2 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 3 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 4 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 5 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 6 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 7 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 8 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 9 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey keele hall thermal imaging survey 10 150x150 Keele University Hall Thermal Imaging Survey ]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/keele-university-hall-thermal-imaging-survey/feed 0 Water Damage in Ealing http://waterdamage.co.uk/water-damage-ealing http://waterdamage.co.uk/water-damage-ealing#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2011 12:42:19 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=334 water damage ceiling ealing 300x224 Water Damage in Ealing

Escaping water from a burst pipe in the flat above made this plaster board ceiling fall down juts before Christmas 2010.

Escaping water from Kitchens and bathrooms coursing water damage to flats and rooms below is a more common event than one may think, during a year 90% of the water damage repair works we undertake is probably from burst pipes in Kitchens bathrooms.

Particular areas are more prone for this to happen, areas that have flats like South Kensington, Ealing and Hampstead are more likely to have water damage than areas  such as Northwood, Pinner,  Chalfont, not only is this due to the above fact about flats but also its to do with how properties are maintained, generally speaking most burst pipes that flood properties can be avoided if the maintenance and upkeep of the property was maintained.

Recently I worked on a property in Highgate that was flooded from  a pip in the Kitchen, the flood could have been stopped if the maintenance to the stopcocks has been kept up however this small amount of maintenance was over looked for some time and when the stop cock was needed it was un-useable, the water flooded the properties below for 4 hours before the water could be turned off.

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/water-damage-ealing/feed 0 Investigating Water Damage in Your Home http://waterdamage.co.uk/investigating-water-damage-in-your-home http://waterdamage.co.uk/investigating-water-damage-in-your-home#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:54:38 +0000 The Water Damage Team http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=325 prevention 300x225 Investigating Water Damage in Your HomePerhaps the most common of hazards of home ownership water damage can strike anywhere in your property, a blocked overflow pipe, a careless neighbour or tenant leaves a tap running. A pipe ‘lost’ to extensive renovation corrodes. All of these can happen at any time and you will need the confidence of professionals used to tracking down the less obvious sources of water damage. Experts like WaterDamage.co.uk will be able to advise and project manage all your building maintenance and renovation requirements with minimum fuss.

Wind Damage and Storm Damage

Damage by storms and in particular wind blowing trees and branches on to property is one of those sudden dangers all property owners face. How would you deal with a tree in your attic or a collapsed wall? The first port of call would be a specialist firm like WaterDamage.co.uk who will guide you through the whole process from survey and how to fill in a buildings insurance claim to painting and decorating.

Flood Damage – A Long Process of Renovation

Flood damage is affecting more and more homes. This type of damage to property can take months to renovate. What is needed during this time is qualified and dedicated professionals that can help you through the pitfalls of repairing and making good a flooded property.

WaterDamage.co.uk will guide you with best practice and sound advice.

If your home or business premises is suffering from any of the above, your best course of action is to get in touch with our specialist team. Call or contact us for a free no obligation consultation about how you can act now and take the measures to preserve the life-span of your building.

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/investigating-water-damage-in-your-home/feed 0 Flood and water damage in hampstead http://waterdamage.co.uk/flood-water-damage-hampstead http://waterdamage.co.uk/flood-water-damage-hampstead#comments Sun, 26 Dec 2010 12:01:27 +0000 The Water Damage Team http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=330 Water Damage hampstead 1 300x188 Flood and water damage in hampstead

This basement flat was water damage from flooding water escaping from the flat above, even though some of the flats in this block in Hampstead have only just been renovated the problem with flooding water is still there, whilst the renovation of the flat above was being undertaken the basement flat was flooded out twice.

The concrete floors you can see in the photo are completely saturated, the water penetrated the carpet and is now sitting between the floors damp proof membrane and the top surface, the only way for this moister to escape will be by evaporations we are making sure that the environment is perfect for this to happen. First the temperature of the room has been raising to around 22c then dehumidifiers and air moving fans are used to help create the damp moist air.

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/flood-water-damage-hampstead/feed 0 Burst pipes http://waterdamage.co.uk/burst-pipes http://waterdamage.co.uk/burst-pipes#comments Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:36:45 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/burst-pipes It’s cold burst pipe all over the place water damage all over the place 4 vans stuck in the snow

]]> http://waterdamage.co.uk/burst-pipes/feed 0 Frozen Pipes water damage Harrow http://waterdamage.co.uk/frozen-pipes-water-damage-harrow http://waterdamage.co.uk/frozen-pipes-water-damage-harrow#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:15:35 +0000 Steve http://waterdamage.co.uk/?p=312 This new build house in Harrow is highly insulated however the owner went away for two weeks over the freezing weather and came back to a burst pipe, luckily  for them that turned the watter off before they went however on there return they terned the water supply on and the burst pipe flooded the bathroom.water damage to bathroom harrow 300x224 Frozen Pipes water damage Harrow

“We had only been back for 2o minuets or so and I went into the bathroom to find water all over the place”

The problem we have with water damage and new build properties is the way they are built. This floor is a floating floor meeting that the timber decking is not fixed to the substructure of the building only gravity holds it down, it probably sits on some sort of insulation or even sheets of Plasterboard the reasoning behind this is to stop the transfer of sound and to insulate against heat loss.

Unfortunately internal walls start to sag into the floor once water has deteriorated the flooring and the internal walls need to be removed to replace the floor.

All of this works out to be a big insurance claim, however on this occasion it looks as if the owner has been lucky and the water has been contained to the bathroom area only.

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