Redundancy in your roof’s protection can be the difference between a small repair and a complete water intrusion in your building, damaging assets and potentially shutting down operations. One of the options building owners have to add additional protection to their buildings is International Leak Detection (ILD®), the leading provider of roofing and waterproofing integrity testing and intelligent monitoring systems.
Electronic Leak Detection System
The core of ILD®’s approach is their Electric Field Vector Mapping (EFVM), which is a low-voltage leak detection system that ensures a roof is water-tight. The system is installed under either the membrane (the top of the roof system) or under the cover board (protective layer for durability), depending on the roof assembly. The EFVM passes a low voltage through the system, and if there is damage, such as cuts or open seams, electricity passes through, completing the circuit and indicating a leak, like a light switch turning on.
If an owner suspects a leak, a trained technician brings hand-held equipment to the site and can identify when and where a circuit is completed. The skill and experience of the technician are crucial for the effectiveness of the system, more so than equipment limitations.
System Integration
ILD®’s systems are compatible with roofing systems from all major manufacturers, having worked on projects with over a dozen different materials. The one exception is black EPDM (or “rubber roof”), because it is inherently conductive. EFVM is also compatible with most attachment methods, allowing for a very versatile addition to a wide array of roofs.
Real World Use
ILD® works in all commercial roofing market segments including extremely leak-sensitive facilities such as, mission-critical medical centers, museums, and galleries. It is in these verticals that IDEAL Building Solutions primarily installs an array of its systems.
The cost of leak detection varies depending on components required, size and system type. Both passive and continuously active systems can be proposed based on owner’s needs, expectations and budget.
It is critical to consult ILD® during design to ensure owners needs are met both at the time of construction and subsequent occupancy.
International Leak Detection has offices and affiliates in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, GCC, Croatia, Slovenia, and South America.