Leak Detection in Pavement Lights

In large cities it was often found useful to extend basement accommodation out beyond the building, often as far as the kerb line. Pavement lights were thus developed to give light into the area, whilst affording both waterproofing and a sturdy walking surface.

Pavement lights present particular problems with water ingress into buildings, however, as the hardstanding above is often owned by the local authority, whilst the responsibility for it can remain with the occupier. A further factor is that utilities often break out pavements to install their services or feed pipes, cables, etc through walls, often unbeknown to the occupier. In the process they can damage the waterproofing, where it exists

Investigating pavement lights can be costly and expensive, as well as which a licence is normally required from the local authority for removal of pavement or roadway finishes. They also insist on standards for reinstatement, so a professional contractor has to be employed.

Before this course is entered into, we at Thornton Consulting can often provide pointers as to the approximate location of the problem. In this way, it may be possible to carry out remedial works without the costly works described above. Alternatively, excavations can be kept to an absolute minimum.

Investigations into this type of problem normally requires an initial consultancy visit, requiring initial inspection above and below, which can pose problems of timing associated with access to changing areas.

It is also essential to gain as deep an understanding as possible of design and construction in the fitness are, so the co-operation of their management is vital to the smooth running of such an invstigative process.

The next step is to develop a progressive test regime, in which we have developed considerable expertise over recent years.