When it comes to testing flat roof membranes, the most versatile method is the high voltage or dry roof testing method. A form of (ELD) Electronic Leak Detection, this method allows the technician to test not only horizontal surfaces but vertical surfaces as well.

How Does the High Voltage ELD Method Work?

The High Voltage ELD method works with a high voltage sweep of a roof and a testing unit producing a current backed by as much as 30,000+ volts of electricity at a very low current. It is applied using a special electrode brush made with highly conductive metal bristles. If current passes through a hole or breach of the waterproof membrane, the testing unit will then make an audible sound as well as create an electrical arc. Our technicians are trained to understand when an audible signal is created due to either a breach in the membrane and/or areas of some membranes that are installed incorrectly (too thin). This method is very safe, accurate, and a very efficient, cost-effective way of testing for leaks in waterproof membranes. This high voltage method is commonly and more effectively used on vertical, sloped, small, and difficult-to-reach areas of waterproof membranes.

Benefits of High Voltage Testing (ELD)

High Voltage Electronic Leak Testing is performed on dry horizontal, vertical and sloped waterproof membranes. It is an especially more accurate way of testing vertical and sloped membranes over the Low Voltage, Electronic Field Vector Mapping method. Regardless of what you may read or hear, the High Voltage method should be the first choice in testing these vertical and sloped membranes. Unlike the Low Voltage, Electronic Field Vector Mapping method, the membrane being tested needs to be dry. When testing vertical or sloped test areas, it can be very difficult to keep these areas wet. If the areas are not kept wet during the low voltage testing, the procedure becomes ineffective and results can be misleading, incorrect, or completely inconclusive. This is why the High Voltage method achieves more positive results time and time again when testing vertical and sloped waterproof membranes, including very small areas such as planters and difficult-to-reach areas.

The set-up time of fast and the technology has the ability to find pinhole-sized leaks in any of the surfaces listed below.

We can Locate Leaks on the Following Flat Roof Surfaces:

  • Single Ply Membranes
  • Hot Melt systems
  • Liquid Applied Systems
  • Built-up Felt Systems
  • Asphalt
  • Silicone
  • White EPDM