AN ISO/IEC - 17025 STANDARD - NABL ACCREDITATION LABORATORY / TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION - MECH - CIVIL - ELECTRICAL & IT COURSES / A to Z LABORATORY TESTING SERVICES / INSPECTION SERVICES / ALL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS / MORE THAN 1500 SERVICES ...

Water leakage / seepage / Dampness Investigation - Building
 
 
 
1. What are the common causes of water leakage?
 
Common causes of water leakage :
 
  • * Leakage in the drainage pipes of the upper, adjacent or your own flat.
  • * Leakage in the water supply pipes of the upper, adjacent or your own flat.
  • * Deteriorated waterproofing of floor slabs or bath-tub seals.
  • * Seepage of waste water or rain water through roof / external wall.
  •  
    water seepage Testing methods
     
  • 1. Dye Tracer Test
  • 2. Electrical capacitance Investigation
  • 3. Electrical Resistance Investigation
  • 4. Microwave Leakage Testing
  • 5. Infrared Thermography Testing
  • 6. Pressure Test
  • 7. Humidity Sensors Test
  • 8. Electrical Earth Leakage Test
  • 9. Flood Testing
  • 10. Water Spray Test
  • 11. Acoustic Leak Testing
  •  
    WATER LEAKAGE ACCURACY OF INVESTIGATION
     
  • 1. Two common sources of water seepage in buildings are from the external, e.g. rainfall, and from above or the alleged source sites, e.g. domestic use of water.
  • 2. The former is obvious and can readily be identified with certainty. The main difficulty is to identify the source/cause of water seepage coming from above (e.g. from the bathroom immediate above an alleged water seepage site).
  • 3. If the parties are cooperative, there is a good chance that the problem of water seepage can be alleviated by investigating/identifying the sources and carrying out proper repair. In majority of the cases, repeated repair will have to be carried out
  •  
    WATER LEAKAGE COMMON METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
     
  • Methodology 1: The alleged source site is first subjected to dyed water to simulate the water source(s). Afterwards, measurement of moisture is carried out in the alleged water seepage site. Typical examples include flooding test, water spray test and dye test. It is generally considered as the most direct means to identify/differentiate different water source(s). However, it is not applicable in majority of the cases due to non-corporation of owners/occupiers of the alleged source site thereby disallowing any flooding test, water spray test or dye test to be carried out from the alleged water seepage site.
  •  
  • Methodology 2: Without simulating the water source(s), measurement of moisture is carried out in the alleged water seepage site. Source(s) and cause(s) of water seepage are interpreted from the measurement and this requires high level of professional knowledge and expertise.
  •  
  • The commonly used techniques for investigating the causes and/or sources of water seepage.
  •  
    Common methods of investigating water seepage
     
  • 1. Dye test - Through thickness penetration
  • 2. Protimeter measurement - Limit to surface
  • 3. Infrared thermography - From surface to nominal depth
  • 4. Microwave moisture meter - Up to 110 mm or more
  •  
    1. Dye Test
     
  • Dye test is the most commonly used technique, inexpensive and requiring minimal technical skills. It is used by the Joint Office as the routine method for systematic investigation and is recommended as a DIY investigation tool (FEHD and BD). Dye test is carried out by ponding the alleged source site (e.g. flooding the bathroom) with dyed water (“the ponding area”). The result is positive if dye is visible from below. Recently, fluorescent dyes are used thereby signs of water seepage are observed from below by an ultraviolet light in dark condition. Quite often dye is not detected from below in the damp area (“negative results”) even though water originates from the ponding area.
  •  
    2. Protimeter Measurement
     
  • Protimeter is a device commonly used to assess the surface moisture content of a material. Surface moisture content is measured through pushing two needles/electrodes into the material. It enables rapid assessment of surface moisture content. Due to the heterogeneous properties of concrete and unknown properties of finishes on the surface of concrete, readings obtained from a protimeter cannot be taken directly as surface moisture content, unless the readings reflect very high moisture content. As precalibration of surface moisture content of concrete is virtually not possible, readings are taken from both affected areas and non-affected areas (or control points) and the values are compared to estimate the surface moisture content of affected areas
  •  
    3. Infrared thermography
     
  • Infrared thermography is based on the principle that wet and dry building components have different rates of heat gain and retention. This technique is normally applied using a hand-held infrared camera with recording device . Wet zone is identified based on physical characteristics of wet material with slower heat gain and heat loss. It may be able to display water paths, hidden water pipes, etc. that are close to the surface. As temperature differential can be very small (between 0.1C to 0.5C) for identifying a wet area, an uneven surface, e.g. spalling/delamination of finishes, may distort the temperature gradient making the thermographic images unreliable. this is usually the case in an affected area
  •  
    4. Microwave moisture meter
     
  • Microwave moisture meter has gained popularity in measuring the moisture content of a material. It is based on the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the material. Moisture content is estimated from the energy loss due to absorption of water. The device includes a generator and a receiver . It has the disadvantage of requiring a good contact surface for both generator and receiver which may not be possible to achieve in majority of the cases. It is also sensitive to heterogeneous nature of concrete that may cause error in the readings obtained from the measurement. As each measurement is presented as averaged moisture up to a certain depth, accuracy is also adversely affected by the presence of cavities, pipes or reinforcement embedded inside concrete.
  •  
  • Apart from dye test with the advantage of identifying water path(s) or source(s) of water seepage directly, the above are all interpretive testing methods. In some cases, microwave moisture measurement may also provide good indication of the water path(s) or source(s) of water seepage but this largely depends on the quality of the test data
  •  
  • Protimeter and infrared thermography can only identify the presence of moisture near the surface. As moisture measurements are indirectly assessed via electrical resistance and heat, respectively, foreign materials inside concrete may cause similar changes on the measurement to that of water. For instance, presence of salt may affect the reading and thus the accuracy of the measurement. Therefore, the data is used to compare the moisture condition between two different areas of the same material, namely control points not affected by water seepage and the affected areas.
  •  
  • Data obtained from the field works has suggested that there exists no universal method that can provide reliable results to identify the cause(s) of water seepage. Method of investigation has to be determined case by case based on the condition of concrete at the surface and in the interior
  •  
  • As indicated in the above, accuracy depends on the condition of the affected areas and how the tests are performed. Correct interpretation of the test results further relies on an understanding of the underlining principle; limitations; and the pros and cons of applying different methods of investigations. We are of the view that there is in lack of an expertise or a unify approach to select the proper tests; to perform the tests and/or to interpret the results. Obviously, it is very difficult if not impossible task for the parties, who are laymen to the tests, to select the tests; to perform the tests and/or to interpret the results, save and except dye test. A performance-based approach is proposed to handle water seepage in buildings.
  •  
    CONCLUSIONS
     
  • Pursuant to reported cases and relevant provisions in the ordinances, the standard of investigation is to be one with high degree of certainty and the investigation so conducted is able to distinguish all possible causes of water seepage. Common difficulties in resolving water seepage disputes are due to (a) inability to identify the source(s)/cause(s) of water seepage and (b) non-corporation of owners/occupiers of premises alleged of causing water seepage. In respect of (a), it depends on the condition of the affected areas; how the tests are performed; and correct interpretation of the test results. It is necessary to improve and/or develop methods of investigating water seepage. As an alternative approach, it is suggested to identify the source(s) of water seepage from moisture readings obtained from alleged water seepage sites and vibration readings obtained from exposed waste pipes without entering the alleged source sites. Further, it is desirable to shift the method of investigation from an informative approach to a consultative approach with interaction by the party/parties. We need to dedicate tools to match the accuracy/reliability of methods of investigation with the goals of the parties and the goals of the investigation and to provide the parties with opportunities to decide how they would like to proceed. By following a performance-based approach, it is possible to reduce the overall cost and time by not carrying out unnecessary and/or unreliable tests. This may ultimately assist the public to resolve the problem of water seepage in buildings.
  •  
    Water Seepage Investigation List
     
    Water Seepage Problem investigation , Leak & Water Seepage testing in bolivia , Dampness, Seepage and Water Leakage Inspection in bolivia , Dampness, Seepage and Water Leakage detection in bolivia , Detecting Leakage , water leakage testing in bolivia , Seepage testing Source in bolivia , Residential Building seepage tesing in bolivia , Seepage testing using Fluoride , Seepage on Walls testing in bolivia , Dampness on Walls tesing in bolivia , Preventing Dampness in bolivia , Preventing Dampness Types of Waterproofing Material , Effects of Dampness detection in bolivia , Causes of Dampness detection in bolivia , Seepage or Dampness on Walls , Seepage Inspections , Leak detection and location in bolivia , Leak detection testing in bolivia , Leak detection in bolivia , Leak detection problem inspection , Water Testing and Leakage inspection , Dampness, Seepage and Water Leakage Inspection In bolivia , dampness testing in bolivia , seepage testing in bolivia , water leakage testing in bolivia , leak testing in bolivia , Hydrostatic & Diagnostic Pressure Testing and Pipe Leak , Basements Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Escalators Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Electrical rooms Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Electrical Transformers Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , DG sets Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Water treatment plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Sewage treatment plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Sumps & Pumping plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Rain water harvesting system Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Firefighting systems Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Lobbies Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Water treatment plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Sewage treatment plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Sumps & Pumping plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Rain water harvesting system Plant Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Corridors Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Parking Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Podium Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Overhead water tanks Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Helipad Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Roads and pathways Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Staircases Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Basement ventilation and exhaust systems Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Dampness & damages in all common areas Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Painting work Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia , Shafts and ducts which are open for inspection Dampness Seepage and Water Leakage testing in bolivia ...
     
    civil ndt and mechanical ndt - non destructive testing in bolivia list
     
    civil ndt testing - non-destructive testing in bolivia , concrete for bridges testing in bolivia , dams civil testing in bolivia ,, building civil ndt in bolivia , subway civil testing in bolivia , tunnel civil ndt in bolivia , ultrasonic pulse velocity testing in bolivia , rebound hammer testing in bolivia , rebar locator in bolivia , depth of concrete in bolivia , half cell potential testing in bolivia , carbonation testing in bolivia , pile integrity testing in bolivia , visual inspection and field in bolivia , civil ndt - concrete testing in bolivia , ultrasonic pulse velocity testing in bolivia , rebound hammer testing in bolivia , rebar locator in bolivia , depth of concrete in bolivia , half cell potential testing in bolivia , carbonation testing in bolivia , pile integrity testing in bolivia , visual inspection and field in bolivia , in-situ compressive strength testing in bolivia , civil design strength in bolivia , civil existing structures in bolivia , construction materials testing in bolivia , pile testing systems in bolivia , structural monitoring systems in bolivia , asphalt testing systems in bolivia , pavement testing in bolivia , rock and soil laboratory test systems in bolivia , non-destructive tests for concrete in bolivia , geotechnical & vibration monitoring systems in bolivia , pavement condition monitoring in bolivia , concrete and cement lab systems in bolivia , civil lab testing concrete and concreting material analysis , civil laboratory testing in bolivia , construction material testing in bolivia , cement testing in bolivia , aggregate testing in bolivia , bricks testing in bolivia , blocks testing in bolivia , tension test on rebars testing in bolivia , chemical test on rebars testing in bolivia , water analysis in bolivia , cube test in bolivia , accelerated cube test (act) in bolivia , rapid chloride test (rcpt) in bolivia , concrete mix design in bolivia , fly ash in bolivia , slag and silica fume in bolivia , self compacting concrete in bolivia , temperature controlled concrete in bolivia , civil ndt and concrete testing in bolivia , civil ndt investigation in bolivia , concrete investigation in bolivia , coating thickness measurement on concrete structures in bolivia , compressive strength testing in bolivia , concrete mix design in bolivia , bitumen mix design in bolivia , core extraction testing in bolivia , core sampling testing in bolivia , concrete core testing in bolivia , concrete cube testing in bolivia , chemical analysis in bolivia , electrical resistivity testing in bolivia , ground penetrating radar survey in bolivia , sieve analysis in bolivia , ultrasonic low frequency testing in bolivia , upv testing in bolivia , vibration analysis of building in bolivia , leak testing in bolivia , ct scan on conctete in bolivia , element analysis on concrete in bolivia , impact echo testing in bolivia , linear polarization testing in bolivia , load testing in bolivia , permeability testing in bolivia , petrography of concrete in bolivia , pullout testing in bolivia , cut and pullout testing (cpo test) in bolivia , impulse response test in bolivia , impact echo test in bolivia , ground penetrating radar (gpr) in bolivia , crack depth measurement in bolivia , reinforcement location and corrosion assessments in bolivia , reinforcement location by ground penetrating radar (gpr) in bolivia , cover assessment in bolivia , half cell potential tests in bolivia , resistivity tests in bolivia , corrosion rate assessment in bolivia , carbonation test in bolivia , repair quality assessment in bolivia , bond test in bolivia , anchor rebar pull out strength in bolivia , chemical testing in bolivia , ultrasonic testing in bolivia , radiographic testing in bolivia , magnetic particle testing in bolivia , penetrant testing in bolivia , eddy current testing in bolivia , visual testing in bolivia , ultrasonic thickness measurement testing in bolivia , vibration analysis in bolivia , time of flight diffraction (tofd) in bolivia , phased array ultrasonic testing (paut) in bolivia , ndt testing in bolivia , non destructive testing in bolivia , ndt in bolivia , ultrasonic testing in bolivia , magnetic particle testing in bolivia , dye penetrant testing in bolivia , radiographic testing in bolivia , eddy current testing in bolivia , vibration analysis in bolivia , paut – toft in bolivia , ultrasonic thickness gauging testing in bolivia , helium leak detection in bolivia , rfet / nfet / pect testing in bolivia , internal rotary inspection system (iris) in bolivia , acoustic pulse reflectometry (apr) in bolivia , positive material identification testing in bolivia , magnetic flux leakage (mfl) testing in bolivia , acoustic emission testing in bolivia , flouresent leak detection in bolivia , long range ultrasonic testing - lrut in bolivia , thermography inspection in bolivia , leak testing in bolivia , tky joints ultrasonic testing in bolivia , aws d1.1 structural steel ultrasonic testing in bolivia , ndt capabilities for mechanical and civil in bolivia , ultrasonic inspection in bolivia , time of flight diffraction (tofd) and phased array ut in bolivia , magnetic particle testing in bolivia , dye penetrant testing in bolivia , radiographic testing in bolivia , eddy current testing in bolivia , weld ability study in bolivia , visual inspection and field in bolivia ...
     
    list of our services following cities
     
    santa cruz de la sierra | el alto | la paz | cochabamba | oruro | sucre | tarija | potosí | sacaba | quillacollo | montero | trinidad | riberalta | warnes | la guardia | viacha | yacuíba | colcapirhua | tiquipaya | cobija | vinto | guayaramerín | villazón | yapacaní | villamontes | bermejo | camiri | tupiza | llallagua | san ignacio de velasco | san julián | huanuni | punata | cotoca | ascención de guarayos | achocalla | mineros | uyuni | san borja | el torno | puerto suárez | portachuelo | caranavi | rurrenabaque | challapata | santa ana del yacuma | san josé de chiquitos | sipe sipe | patacamaya | puerto quijarro | vallegrande | roboré | san ignacio de moxos, santa cruz | la paz | la paz | cochabamba | oruro | chuquisaca | tarija | potosí | cochabamba | cochabamba | santa cruz | beni | beni | santa cruz | santa cruz | la paz | tarija | cochabamba | cochabamba | pando | cochabamba | beni | potosí | santa cruz | tarija | tarija | santa cruz | potosí | potosí | santa cruz | santa cruz | oruro | cochabamba | santa cruz | santa cruz | la paz | santa cruz | potosí | beni | santa cruz | santa cruz | santa cruz | la paz | beni | oruro | beni | santa cruz | cochabamba | la paz | santa cruz | santa cruz | santa cruz | beni ....