Internal water leaks can present in many ways. It could be a faint musty smell that won’t go away, a small damp patch on the plaster that keeps coming back, or a water bill that’s crept up without explanation. When these signs appear it’s clear you have a leak, the biggest issue then becomes locating it to fix it.
Traditionally, finding the source of a leak may have required cutting exploratory holes in walls until you uncovered the right pipe. Now, professional leak detectors can pinpoint the leak without any damage, with the help of advanced thermal imaging technology.
In this article, we will explore how thermal imaging can locate hidden leaks accurately and without damage, and what homeowners can expect from a professional inspection, backed by a recent example.
The Issue with Internal Leaks
The biggest issue with internal leaks is that they hide well. Whether they’re concealed within walls, under floor boards, or in ceiling spaces, these leaks can be difficult to locate.
Unlike a burst pipe or a dripping tap, a slow internal leak releases moisture gradually within the structures of your home. That moisture can then be absorbed by insulation, timber framing, plasterboard and adhesives, causing damage to occur slowly and with few signs until the damage escalates significantly.
Moreover, when signs do present, such as musty smells, moisture, or mould, they can appear far from the original source, making it even more difficult to find the source. Therefore, by the time you finally notice the signs, the leak has likely been ongoing for weeks, wasting water, increasing your bills and causing significant structural damage.
What is Thermal Imaging Leak Detection
Moisture can create temperature variations, also known as “hot spots”, within structures that the naked eye can’t see and that we can’t feel. These variations, however, can be detected using specialised infrared cameras. Thermal imaging leak detection is an advanced process that uses infrared cameras to identify these invisible temperature differences without damage.
Infrared cameras create a colour-mapped image of the inside of walls, under floors, and ceiling spaces, allowing specialists to locate where moisture is present and follow any spread back to the origin point. This allows leak detection specialists to pinpoint the leak source, ensuring that they only need to cut a single, targeted section to expose the problem pipe.
Thermal Water Leak Detection Process
Thermal water leak detection inspections follow a smooth process to ensure hidden leaks are located accurately and efficiently.
On arrival, our specialists will take the time to understand your issue and then conduct a visual inspection of the property. This ensures that they have a clear understanding of the issue, where the leak should be, and any conditions that could impact the accuracy of the thermal scan.
Next, they will use infrared cameras to conduct a thermal inspection and locate hidden moisture paths. The trained operators will then interpret the moisture patterns to distinguish active moisture from residual dampness, identify the leak source, and determine the extent of spread.
Leak detection teams may also utilise other specialised methods to pinpoint the leak, as necessary, such as acoustic detection to listen for leaks or ground penetrating radar to locate leaks under cement flooring.
Finally, once they have pinpointed the source of the leak, they will open a single, small, targeted access point to expose the issue and repair the leak. This ensures minimal damage to your property.
Types of Internal Leaks Thermal Imaging Can Locate
Internal leaks can occur throughout your property and travel long distances through the structures. Thermal imaging inspections can accurately pinpoint leaks hidden within various structures, including:
- Wall Cavities: Supply and drainage pipes running inside wall cavities can develop slow leaks at joints or connections, allowing water to track along the wall frame.
- Ceiling Spaces: Roof leaks can send water into ceiling cavities, where it travels along roof sheeting and framing before eventually showing through the ceiling.
- Under Flooring: Pipes running under flooring can leak slowly, allowing water to follow the flooring, puddling or absorbing into flooring materials.
- Inside Cabinetry: Slow drips under sinks can be absorbed into cabinet bases, framing, and wall linings.
A Recent Concealed Leak Call Out
A recent job showcased just how powerful thermal imaging technology can be for detecting hidden leaks. Our leak detection specialists were recently called out to a property to investigate a concealed leak that had spread, causing significant damage to the client’s home.
Upon arrival, water was puddling in the client’s hallway. It had tracked through the wall cavity, causing serious structural damage, including cracking in the walls. Our team deployed thermal imaging technology, combined with advanced leak detection expertise and methods to trace the leak back to a single burst pipe. We traced the pipe into the ceiling space and uncovered a small section of the wall to expose the problem pipe.
Based on the extent of the damage, this leak was likely ongoing for a long time, beyond the client’s eye. Using specialised expertise and equipment, our team were able to locate and expose the leak efficiently to allow for swift, targeted repairs, minimising unnecessary damage and disruption.
When You Should Book a Thermal Imaging Inspection
As can be seen in our recent job, concealed internal leaks can escalate quickly, causing serious damage to your home. These hidden leaks often occur with few signs to alert you to an issue, making them difficult to catch and address. However, if you do get any signs, such as musty smells, dripping or hissing sounds, mould growth, or increased water bills, you need to act fast.
Contact our leak detection specialists as soon as you suspect a hidden leak to book a water leak detection inspection.
