There may be more damage behind a ceiling leak than you realisePinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Ceiling Leaks – More Damage Than You Can See?

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When you think of ceiling leaks, you probably picture a huge patch of water spreading across the ceiling with a bucket underneath it.

However, even a small leak can cause significant damage to your home, as it could be a sign of a more severe problem. If you overlook water damage and damp patches, then you could find that they become major issues that cause structural damage to your property. 

To help homeowners who are unsure of what to do when they find a ceiling leak and why they shouldn’t ignore them, we’ve put together this guide to understanding the importance of fixing ceiling leaks as soon as you find them.

Never Ignore A Ceiling Leak

Even a small leak could be a sign of more severe problems. Water will always travel to the lowest point, meaning that ceiling leaks often start in a different place to where the visible damage is. For example, water may run down a loft beam and across a ceiling before finally settling and forming a damp patch. This means the damage could be far more extensive than is immediately obvious.

As such, you should be proactive and always investigate any ceiling leaks you find, however small. That includes damp patches on the ceiling, minor water damage, and small drips. These seemingly small inconveniences could be a sign that there is a leak somewhere in your home, and that leak will only get worse if left alone.

Investigate The Cause

If you can, then you should try to investigate the cause of the problem. A range of different issues can cause ceiling leaks, so the first step is to access the space above the leak. If the ceiling leak is below the roof, then this could be a sign that your roof is damaged, particularly if the leak occurs after it rains and the water is brown and dirty. Check your roof and work with a roofing contractor to repair the leak.

However, if the water is clear and the leak occurs beneath your roof, then the issue is probably your home’s plumbing. If you can, check the pipes around the affected area to see which is damaged. If you can’t get to your home’s plumbing, or you don’t know what you’re looking for, then contact us, and our experts can trace the source of the leak and fix it for you, saving you time and hassle.

Using Thermal Imaging

In many cases ‘thermal imaging‘ is an ideal way to quickly locate the source of a water leak, without causing excessive damage. A thermal imaging unit will be able to detect tiny changes in surface temperature caused by water. This is far more preferable to manually excavating an area to try and find the source of a leak. 

Check If Your Home Insurance Policy Covers The Cost

Many homeowners ignore small ceiling leaks and signs of water damage because they’re afraid of the cost of fixing the problem. However, if you leave a small issue, then it could become more serious. As a result, you could be paying even more to fix the fault in the future and your insurance company may contest any related claim (because you have not acted quickly enough).

In many cases, you may be able to claim back the cost of locating the leak through your home insurance policy. Trace and access cover means that your home insurer will cover the cost of locating the source of a water leak and exposing it. Be sure to check if your policy includes this.

Contact Us If You’re Unsure

If you notice a leak in your ceiling, then book an appointment with Pinpoint today. Our team can quickly detect the source of the water leak and can also repair the leak and any damage it has caused,

Pinpoint Trace and Access Ltd.

Maintaining Your Central Heating Over The Summer Months

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In the heat of the summer, when its warm outside and you’re spending more time in the garden, it’s easy to forget about your central heating system.

However, with winter fast approaching, you need to make sure that your central heating is working effectively before you need it. In the winter, many plumbers have longer waiting lists, meaning you may have to wait longer in a cold and damp house.

Often, leaks and other issues in central heating systems start small, but if they go unnoticed, then they quickly become significant problems, which can be expensive to fix.

Watch Out For Leaks

One of the easiest ways to spot heating leaks is to check for water coming out of the boiler, or any of the radiators. If you find that any water is leaking out of your system, but you can’t find the cause of the leak, then contact us, and we’ll help you to get it fixed in time for the colder weather. Be vigilant and don’t overlook even a small puddle of water or slight water damage; it could be a sign of a leak. Even a small leak can cause expensive damage to your central heating system, so be proactive and act quickly. We can use pressure testing, thermal imaging, gas tracing and other techniques to find the source of the leak.

Turn Your Boiler On Intermittently

When you’re struggling in the heat, you might not want to turn your boiler on, but if you leave it switched off for months, then you might find that it won’t work correctly when you eventually turn it back on. Try turning on the hot water every week, or switching a radiator on, so that your boiler gets warmed up and ready for the winter. You should also inspect the boiler and central heating system visually every so often, to check for leaks or any other damage that could cause problems when you start using the system later in the year. Check the valves, pipes and connectors, and if you notice anything that doesn’t seem right, then contact a professional.

Bleed Your Radiators

It might sound gruesome, but bleeding your radiators is actually a great way to ensure that your central heating system works properly. It’s also a task that you can do yourself, without any professional training, making it ideal for cost-conscious homeowners. To find out more about how to bleed your radiators, check out this guide. While you’re bleeding your radiators, you might want to consider checking your boiler pressure.

Check Your Boiler And Pipe Insulation

Boiler and pipe insulation stops your equipment from getting too cold in the winter and freezing. If the water in your system freezes, then thaws, it could cause the pipes to crack and leak. As such, you must check your insulation now to ensure that your pipes are warm enough for the coming cold weather. If the insulation is insufficient, then you should contact your plumber to find out more about adding additional insulation to ensure that your pipes won’t freeze when the temperature drops.

Get Your Central Heating System Serviced

Your boiler and central heating system need servicing at least once a year, and summer is the best time to do it. After all, you’re not using your system as much, so you’ll have plenty of time to get any repairs made or spare parts ordered. If you leave your annual central heating check until winter, then you could encounter problems and be left with a cold house. Call a Gas Safe engineer who can check your boiler pressure, pipes and more, and reassure you that your system is running effectively. If they do notice any problems, they can advise you on how to fix them.   

Call The Professionals

If you notice any problems with your home’s pipes, plumbing and central heating system during the summer and you’re not sure what to do, call a professional. Our team can help with everything from water leak detection through to leak repair, water extraction, and drying, and much more.