Operation and Function

• As the operator walks across the roof pressing the hand­held extension probe onto the surface of the EPDM roofing material, low frequency (17-20 KHz) signal is passed through the electrically conductive EPDM material.
  
• A second lead from the Side-Kick the roof deck by means of an alligator clip connected to a protrusion through the roof surface or edge trim.
  
• During an instant of the AC cycle, an area of the EPDM roofing surrounding the probe is positive and the deck is negative.
  
• As opposite charges are attracted to each other, negative charges will try to flow towards positive charges and visa versa.
  
• When the roof construction is dry, the roof deck and underside of the EPDM is wet, the resistance decreases by at least 6 order of magnitude (i.e. 1,000,000 times) and hence a current flows and is measured.
  
• The greater the density of moisture (wetness), the stronger the audible and visual signal from the Side-Kick.
  

Uses

• Leak tracing on roofs having EPDM or Butyl rubber-waterproofing membranes above the insulation (water often leaks into the building a considerable distance from the point of entry into the roof).
  
• Preventive Maintenance (indicates presence of moisture between the EPDM membrane and the roof deck, which cannot be accessed by visual inspection or core cuts alone).
  
• Assessing condition and extent of moisture prior to repairs, retrofit or re-roofing.
  
• Quality control inspection on new roofs.