b'A significant issue for ELD since its inception is overburden.Electronic Leak DetectionOverburden as it applies to roofing and waterproofing mem-branes is defined as any material installed on top of a water-proofing assembly. Overburden (e.g. a green roof) can cause an insulating effect that nullifies some ELDs ability to perform proper testing.Forsuchtechnology,ELDtestingorinstallationmustbe accomplished in advance of overburden being installed. With overburden in place, the reliability of ELD will be compromised. There are technologies contained in ASTM 7877 that can do test-ing of some types of membranes with overburden in place.ELD TestingAs outlined in D7877, the four main methods of ELD testing that are commonly used in the roofing industry are the scanning platform, vertical testing methods, vector mapping and high volt-age testing. These testing methods detect breaches in the mem-brane that could develop into leaks. By performing ELD testing, points of water ingress are identified and repaired, which avoids damage to the roofing system.The scanning platform method involves the use of a scanner that is similar to a lawnmower. The scanner is moved over the entire surface of the roof looking for breaches or holes in the mem-brane that will allow water to enter the roofing system.The vertical membrane surface testing method applies the same principles as the scanning platform method to vertical surfaces. These two scanning methods are often used together.Vector mapping testing locates breaches in the roofing mem-brane by using low-voltage electricity on the surface of the wa-terproofing membrane. By using an electric field between the membrane and the structure below the membrane, the test de-termines if there are any electrical paths (i.e., breaches) and deter-mines the specific location of the breach. Vector mapping testing requires enough water to wet the membrane.The high voltage membrane testing method uses a high voltage supply for the electrical current. CAN YOUOther technologies for ELD testing include permanent mois-ture monitoring systems to monitor roof assemblies for moisture during construction and on a 24/7 basis for the life of the building. SPOT THE Regulations and the Future LEAK?There are no federal or provincial regulations in place in Can-ada at present covering ELD systems or requiring ELD testing of roof systems. There are local requirements in municipalities (e.g.ILD can, Toronto,Vancouver,Waterloo)whereELDtestingofroofing systems for green roofs is mandatory. A number of other largeall of them.municipalities across the country are also looking at regulations.Zen Szewczyk, Executive Director of IRC Building Sciences Group, says, The use of ELD for commercial buildings is increas-ing steadily. It has significant curb appeal for tenants in high-end properties. He adds that in his experience, ELD had been veryIt takes an exceptional technician to nd every effective in determining breaches in membranes and particularly inleak in a green roof membrane. To weed out pinpointing within inches the breach area on the roof. the false positives, to isolate the exact location. Szewczyk says that ELD technology has proved itself to find leaks through vegetation, walkways and pavers on roofs. As a re- ILD is renowned for its expertise on green sult, ELD for the commercial and industrial sectors is becomingroofs. We nd breaches that others dont,more of a standard practice and is now being used on many ofand we do the job right the rst time.Canadas best-known buildings. The key from my perspective is to have designers plan for ELD as preventative maintenance forSAVE YOURSELF SOME GREEN.the roofing membrane and to keep repair costs down, he says.CALL ILD FIRST. All players in the building sectorincluding owners, design-ers, suppliers and contractorsaccrue significant benefits from maintaining watertight roofing systems. The upfront costs associ- THE ORIGINALated with ELD systems far outweigh the long-term costs of repair-ing water damage to roofing assemblies. AND STILL THE BEST.However, there is still work that must be done to increase knowledge of the technology. Unfortunately companies in theToll Free: 1.866.282.5325 building sector still do not know enough about ELD technology, saysChrisEichhorn,President,InternationalLeakDetection.info@leak-detection.comThe industry needs to provide more training for technicians and learn from the increased experience with the technology through-out the ELD supply chain.ORN THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 3 201917'