The Building Centre, London – Water dripping through ceiling

Symptom – Water had been dripping through the ceiling for several weeks. A kitchen and toilet were located above the drips but no visible leaks or damp was present in this area. Trace were contracted to identify the source of escaping water.

Analysis

1. Thermography showed a large pooling of heat around one of the hot water pipes.

© Copyright Trace Surveys Ltd

2. Some leak noise was audible through a ground mic which was connected to the hot water pipe

© Copyright Trace Surveys Ltd

3. Trace gas was injected through the hot water pipe and we found this gas escaping from the pipe in the suspected leak location.

© Copyright Trace Surveys Ltd

Repair

The site maintenance team were able to cut out the defective section of pipe, pull it out of the floor and introduce a new section of pipe through the floor without any need to breaking out the floor.