Visible Signs of Damp
This will be the most obvious sign that you have a leak in your underfloor heating. You may also notice wet patches on the floor, in certain areas which could identify the source of the leak.
Cracks in Your Tiles or Grouting
Another sign to look for are cracks in your tiles, or grouting, or tiles coming loose. This could indicate movement, or leaking water, underneath which is causing the wood to expand.
Expansion of Wooden Floors
If you have wooden flooring as opposed to tiling, then you may well notice a swelling in the wood which normally indicates that water has penetrated. This is something which needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
A Noticeable Drop in Pressure On Underfloor Heating Gauges
Regularly check your underfloor heating gauges as this is an excellent way to monitor the health of your system. If you notice the pressure is consistently dropping, then this is a clear indication that you may have a leak in the system.
Underfloor Heating Stops Working
This is one of the key reasons why homeowners identify an issue, when their underfloor heating stops working. Unfortunately, by the time this comes to fruition there may be significant damage already caused.
Error Messages on Your Boiler
Depending on the boiler you have installed, it may display an error code, which will help you identify the problem. As you can see there are likely to be a number of clues to help you identify the problem, many of which once you are aware of them are relatively easy to identify.
There are a myriad of different reasons why a leak could develop in your underfloor heating. ADI Leak Detection has investigated and dealt with many of these type of leaks and they can normally be attributed to seven key factors.
Damage was caused to the pipework during the installation process.
Although this should never happen the installers are working in a confined space so it is possible that the pipes could be damaged without the installers being aware of the issue.
A Faulty Pipe or Fitting
Pipes and fittings are mass produced so it is entirely feasible that there could be an undetected fault in the materials which does not become apparent until the pipe or fitting is exposed to pressure.
Simple Wear and Tear
Unfortunately as with everything in life, underground heating pipes and fitting will wear out over time, eventually leading to them needing to be replaced.
Movement or Vibrations in Your Flooring
In certain properties particularly where there is heavy footfall, and where the pipework is close to the flooring, the constant vibration of people walking on the floor can cause the pipes or fitting to weaken over time.
Accidental Damage Caused To The Pipes
In many instances we are called out to deal with a leak in the underground heating pipes that have been caused by accident, such as someone drilling into the floor and hitting a pipe.
System Pressure is Too High
If the system pressure is consistently high this can cause long term problems to the pipework leading to a leak.
There is a lot of science, technology, and expertise involved in the leak detection industry, which is why it is a specialist area that the majority of general plumbers do not get involved with. The specialist equipment that is required is expensive and requires knowledge that has been built up over many years. When it comes to leak detection, ensure that you are dealing with a specialist company such as ADI Leak Detection.
At ADI Leak Detection, we use a range of different tools and equipment depending on the specific situation and circumstances. Some of the tools we use are exclusive to us, as we developed them in our own research facilities. When it comes to underfloor heating leak detection, the main tools we utilise include:
These specialist devices can detect the sound of a water leak up to 2.5 metres below ground. These listening devices are among the most common methods we utilise for underfloor heating leaks. They enable us to identify the exact site of the leak with pinpoint accuracy, which means we only need to lift the flooring in the close vicinity of the leak.
Our thermal imaging cameras allow us to search for and locate the leaks under your flooring visually. The principle is the same if you have ever watched a police chase using the helicopter and their thermal imaging camera. When the water is leaking, there is a temperature difference, which is very obvious on our cameras.
In certain circumstances, we force a special mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen into your pipework. Because this gas is lighter than the water, it actively seeks out the weakest point in the system, which is inevitably the source of the leak. The gas mixture we use has a distinctive smell that our specialist devices can detect, enabling our engineers to locate the source of the leak.
The good news is that in the vast majority of cases it is possible to effect a repair on your underfloor heating rather than having to replace the entire system. As technology has improved many of the new brands of underfloor heating come with 15 year warranties and in some cases lifetime warranties, such is the confidence in the quality of the products.
At ADI Leak Detection in the unlikely scenario where we are unable to repair your underfloor heating then we can help you to make an informed decision on the different types and brands of underfloor heating on the marketplace today. This after all is a long term investment and not a decision to be taken lightly. Some of the brands we recommend include Warm up, Pro Warm, Heat Mat, Flexel and Thermosphere.
Each of these companies make bespoke systems which are designed to maximise efficiency in certain scenarios. Thermosphere for instance has four different system options. They are based on different materials to deliver the heat, and include Mesh, Membrane, Foil and Inscreed Heating Cable systems.
Many of these systems take advantage of modern technology which includes the use of WIFI in conjunction with advanced thermostats, meaning that you can turn your underfloor heating system on remotely, or even when you are a specified distance away from home. The two key benefits of this technology is that you can save money by not heating your home unnecessarily when noone is in, but in addition, the system can turn on your heating at the optimal time, so that it is warm and cosy when you arrive back home from work.
Our priority at ADI Leak Detection is to deliver the best quality service to our customers. We will always aim to repair your leaks and minimise costs, but if the system is past its sell by date and the time has come to upgrade, then ADI is the perfect partner to assist with this process. ADI – systems, products and a team you can rely on.
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