Vector mapping can pinpoint all breaches in the waterproofing roof membrane.

	Quality Assurance Testing of New Roofs and Waterproofing Systems
	Verifies Green Roof Membranes Prior to Installing Overburden
	Pinpoints Leaks in Roof & Waterproofing Membranes	New! Vector Mapping: A New Forensic Tool for Building Envelope Problems
	Ideal for Warranty Verification
	Locates Breaches Too Small to Detect Visually
	Safer, Faster, and More Accurate Than Flood Testing

Vector mapping eliminates the dangers and potential damage inherent in traditional flood testing. Unlike the interpretive process of water, flood, infrared, or nuclear testing, vector mapping detects membrane faults directly. It is ideal for quality and warranty assurance needs, for leak testing of green (vegetative) and ballasted roofs, and for leak detection in all low-slope roofing systems in which the membrane is not electrically conductive and the deck can be electrically grounded. Even pinhole leaks invisible to the naked eye can be pinpointed with vector mapping, so repairs can be made on the spot and immediately retested to ensure watertight results.

Low Voltage Vector Mapping: In low voltage vector mapping, the surface of the roof membrane is moistened (not flooded) to create an electrically conductive medium. A conductive wire loop is laid out on the membrane around a section of the area to be tested. One lead from a pulse generator is connected to this wire loop perimeter. The other lead from the generator is connected to the structural roof deck. Leaks or breaches in the membrane are detected when the electric current flows across the membrane and down through the breach to the deck, completing the circuit. The technician uses two probes connected to a receiver to determine the direction of the electric current and precisely locate the breach. Diagram of Low Voltage Vector Mapping

High voltage vector mapping can be performed on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

High voltage wand electrode is used to test watertightness of flashings.

High Voltage Vector Mapping: Unlike the low voltage method, high voltage testing is performed on a dry horizontal or vertical surface using a very small current at relatively high voltage for safe and reliable testing. One lead from the portable current generator (charger) is grounded to the roof deck (either metal or concrete). The other lead is attached to a special electrode brush made with highly conductive metal bristles. As the technician “sweeps” the brush electrode over the surface of the roof membrane, electricity will flow through any breach in the membrane, completing a circuit between the brush and the roof deck. Where there are no breaches, the membrane acts as an insulator and prevents the flow of current to the deck.

Vector mapping benefits:

      • Pinpoints membrane defects for efficient repair
      • Repairs can be immediately re-tested
      • Most green roofs can be tested with soil overburden in place (low voltage)
      • Less expensive, faster, safer, and more reliable than flood testing
      • Sloped roof systems and flashings can be efficiently tested (high voltage)
      • Enables direct (non-interpretive) detection of membrane breaches
      • Wet weather tolerant (low voltage)

Vector mapping applications:

      • Insulated and non-insulated low-slope roof systems (excluding metal-coated
        and carbon black EPDM membranes)
      • Ballasted roofs (low voltage)
      • Ponded and flooded roofs (low voltage)
      • Green roofs
      • Plaza decks
      • Quality Assurance
      • Warranty Verification
      • Membrane integrity testing
      • Pools, parking garages, liners
      • Horizontal and vertical waterproofing membranes