Let's talk Thermal Imaging and Ultrasound

[tomsutton529]

Ive got a neighbour who's chimney stack is leaking. He has had the roofing lads back time and time again yet it still leaks.. He has for certain narrowed the issue down to being in the area of the stack..

At the moment the best theory is that the stone has split horizontally somewhere and is causing the leak. he has, since last summer, had the stack wrapped in cling film and all seems well...

Me being an engineer with many great bits of kit at my disposal I was thinking either drop a device that emits a high frequency note in the ultrasonic range and use some ultrasonic detection kit to see if I can find the leaking area, the only downside I foresee is that high frequency is very directional (or am I into frequencies that don't matter) OR make a great fire (I am an expert at that) and use thermal imaging to find the issue..

I feel that both have positives but I could do with some advice from a roofer or stonemason that also knows what I am talking about..


The ideal solution would be to cap off the chimney stack, flood the room below with helium and use a helium leak detector.

 

[Johnseat]

Smoke bomb and close off the stack, smoke will pour out of the cracks.

 

[tomsutton529]

Smoke bomb and close off the stack, smoke will pour out of the cracks.

Wouldn't that potentially ruin all the furniture?

 

[Johnseat]

Don't think so, you can be waiting at the top and once the smoke appears release the top and it'll disperse or put a blanket over the fire place to stop the smoke entering the room.

 

[tomsutton529]

Don't think so, you can be waiting at the top and once the smoke appears release the top and it'll disperse or put a blanket over the fire place to stop the smoke entering the room.

I shall keep this option in mind, I do hope you are not referring to the king of smoke bombs I used to use... I once flooded around 3.5 Acres with the most dense smoke anyone has seen outside of a battle field. even more drama was added by thunder flashes being set off "some where in the smoke"

Apologies to myself for taking this off topic.

 

[mr migwire]

i would opt for a decent fire and get the thermal imaging kit out, i would imagine any smoke leaks would show up.

 

[Burdekin]

Try your thermo camera in the middle of the day, maybe there's enough temp difference with wet areas.

 

[Tigman]

im with the smoke pellet they work very well , wont hurt furniture .

smells bad for a while but if it finds the problem ?

 

[Migmac]

Seal both ends and use a smoke bomb, smokes going to come out somewhere if there's a leak

 

[tomsutton529]

i would opt for a decent fire and get the thermal imaging kit out, i would imagine any smoke leaks would show up.

I would expect the same, but getting the stone hot enough could be an issue.. my walls are at least 2ft thick.

Try your thermo camera in the middle of the day, maybe there's enough temp difference with wet areas.

I don't think that would work. Stone is very good at holding heat and trying to differentiate between the two could be very hard.

 

[tomsutton529]

Seal both ends and use a smoke bomb, smokes going to come out somewhere if there's a leak

I am swaying towards this smoke bomb idea but I have a feeling that the leak is quite precise and even sealing both ends would just cause a mess, getting some good draw on it would be nice but I think that could hinder the results.

 

[mike 109444]

Might be worth popping a carbon monoxide detector (like fire alarm type) in front room and also move it into any rooms that have a wall that is shared with the chimney.

 

[addjunkie]

Use a boroscope

 

[tomsutton529]

Might be worth popping a carbon monoxide detector (like fire alarm type) in front room and also move it into any rooms that have a wall that is shared with the chimney.

Helium detection wold be my best option, I have used it many times to find leaks on turbines.

Use a boroscope

How would that find a hairline crack? the entire roof and stack has been visually inspected.

 

[Robotstar5]

Do you have a small child you could lower down the chimney with a torch and video camera?

 

[tomsutton529]

Do you have a small child you could lower down the chimney with a torch and video camera?

Ive got a dog and my boss is vertically challenged.. something to work with?

 

[waddycall]

Smoke pellet is the industry standard way of checking soundness of a flue/chimney

 

[awemawson]

Line the chimney with a flexible stainless steel liner fixed to a plate above the fireplace. Standard practice for many installs, and was essential in our place where we had leaks between adjacent flues (stuffed with old Tee shirts by the previous owners )

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Line the chimney with a flexible stainless steel liner fixed to a plate above the fireplace. Standard practice for many installs, and was essential in our place where we had leaks between adjacent flues (stuffed with old Tee shirts by the previous owners )

A pal had problems with smoke smell in an upstairs bedroom and went to do the same. Found that part of the chimney had collapsed internally and the stone(s) prevented the liner going in. In the end he had to open up the bedroom wall to access and repair the chimney, before installing the liner.

 

[tomsutton529]

Smoke pellet is the industry standard way of checking soundness of a flue/chimney

we are beyond the realms of standard testing.

there is no smoke in the room etc.. the upstairs room is the living room and open plan.