Protimeter Aquant2 - How To Measure Moisture

Protimeter is the leading manufacturer of moisture detection instruments. At the centre of Protimeter’s range is the Protimeter Aquant2, a non-invasive moisture meter.

The Protimeter Aquant2 has been designed for professionals to detect moisture in a wide range of materials from wood, brick to fiber glass ship hulls.

The Non-invasive design means that during the surveying process, no holes will need to be drilled or pins to be pushed into the material. A search mode detects the moisture levels below the surface.

Search Mode—Non-Invasive
The Protimeter Aquant2 search mode is used to assess the moisture level beneath the surface, independently of surface conditions. When held against the surface, the instrument transmits a signal into the material. The relative moisture level is shown on the digital display and its moisture condition is shown on the accompanying scale of color-coded lights.

The Protimeter Aquant2 search model allows the user to undertake moisture readings quickly, easily and more important accurately.

Taking the readings
The Protimeter Aquant2 features a digital LCD display supported by the Protimeter’s revolutionary colour display which is a collection of 60 LEDs divided into colour-coded zones signify moisture readings of the material under investigation. The green, yellow, and red color-coded zones indicate the following:
• Material in the green zone is in a safe air-dry condition.
• In the yellow zone, moisture levels are higher than normal but not critical; further investigation is recommended.
• The red zone represents excessive moisture levels. If sustained, red zone moisture levels will lead to decay in materials.

The LCD display will provide a digital reading of the moisture content whilst the LEDs provide a guide to the severity of the moisture reading.

How To Measure
Undertaking moisture readings with the Protimeter Aquant2 is very simple. The search mode requires the instrument to be held against the surface of the material.

The shape of the Protimeter Aquant2 case ensures that the instrument is held correctly for optimal reading. When held against the surface, the instrument transmits a signal into the material. The relative moisture level is shown on the digital display and its moisture condition is shown on the accompanying scale of colour-coded lights.

The search mode is used to assess the moisture level beneath the surface of solid walls and floors independently of surface conditions. The nominal depth of the measurement is 20 mm this depends on the density and other characteristics of the material.

This measurement presentation helps the user to:
• Look for moisture behind wall and floor coverings, such as tile and vinyl
• Assess, in relative terms, if the material is in a dry, borderline or damp
• Map the extent of the problem numerically
• Non-invasive pin less radio frequency finds moisture at depth where moisture is not always
  directly visible up to 20 mm below the surface
• This mode of measurement is not adversely affected by the presence of surface moisture

Applications: Shower pans, behind ceramic tile, fine finishes, water stains, tile and vinyl floor coverings, joists, around toilets, drywall, below grade floors and walls, plaster, masonry, concrete and concrete block, fibreglass ship hulls

Leica Lino L2G+ Green Bean Cross Line Laser

Leica Geosystems have introduced a new cross line laser, the Leica Lino L2G+. This high performance, high accuracy cross line laser has been designed to projecting a visible and clear green laser beam. Plain and simple, this laser will make it easier for you to see your reference line.

The Leica Lino L2G+ cross line laser features best-in-class visibility with new green beam technology!

Green lasers typically consume more power than red beam lasers, but the Leica Lino L2G+ has optimized electronics that reduce battery consumption and extend battery life. When compared to similar green cross line lasers, the Leica Lino L2G+ has up to more than 3 times longer working times.

4 times higher visibility
Green laser beams are up to four times more visible to the human eye. So it is much easier to see, especially in very bright conditions or over distances, both of which are common on job sites.

Best laser line quality
The Leica Lino L2G+ uses the latest direct emitting green laser technology, which provides less speckle and projects clearer, crisper laser lines. This allows for maximum of accuracy for interior finishing tasks.

Longer Working Distances
Combining the higher visibility of the green laser beam and the excellent laser line quality, the Leica Lino L2G+ provides a longer working distance of up to 30 meters without using a receiver!

Wide Emergence angle
The Leica Lino L2G+ provides a true 180° emergence angle to ensure outstanding visibility and extension of the laser lines and allow perfect levelling and alignment at long distances.

Throughout the laser line, the beam is clean and crisp to ensure true readings are obtained.

It is possible, e.g. to transfer reference points from one wall to the next. Leave your spirit level and string in your tool box.

Very high accuracy
With projection and levelling accuracy of ±1.5mm, the Leica Lino L2G+ is one of the most precise instruments in its class.

Very easy to use
With only one button operation, the Leica Lino L2G+ is quick and easy to operate. Setting the instrument up is child's play, with the magnetic multifunction adapter supplied.

What can I do with the target plate?
You can use the target plate to more easily see the laser beam. For example, you can use the target plate if there is no wall on which you can project the laser line or dot. There also is a magnet on the top of the plate that helps it to attach to magnetic surfaces. This feature is particularly useful when installing suspended ceilings. Note: Please use green target plates with the Leica Lino L2G+ and red target plates for red lasers, as the matching colour has a strong impact on visibility.

How does the self-levelling work?
The Leica Lino’s automatically compensate whenever they are set down on uneven surfaces, with a range of +/-4°. If the automatic self-levelling range is exceeded the laser beam blinks on and off, signalling to the user that it is out of the self-levelling range. So basically, if you set the tool down and the beams don’t blink, the reference line is level with an accuracy defined per product in the user manual. This means that costly measuring errors can be prevented.

What can I do with the lock function?
The lock function locks the self-levelling mechanism. This feature is useful when the lines are not to be projected horizontally or vertically, but rather at an angle, as for alignment of handrails on staircases. We also recommend using the lock function during transport to extend the life of your Lino by allowing the pendulum to be better protected against shocks and drops.

Package Options
The Leica Lino L2G+ is provided in two package options. The Standard package provides most accessories required to undertake a levelling application within a house. Whilst the Professional package incorporates the lightweight TRI70 tripod and rechargeable battery pack.

Both packages are delivered with a hard carry case, holster, Leica Lino magnetic adapter and green target plate.

Cable Location With Integrated GPS Technology

Location of buried services provides a constant strain to all building and civil engineering related projects. In today’s congested environment, it is imperative to locate services accurately and record these locations with pin point accuracy.

It’s pin point accuracy that is the key to saving lives. Cable avoidance tools are now powerful enough to trace a single service, provide depth estimation and warn if the instrument has been tilted, causing an error in their readings.

But, detailing the service and marking areas of a search has always been left to pen and paper. That is to say, a hand drawn diagram of the area surveyed is often sketched, not to scale or precise. Misinterpretation of the diagram can cause people to dig in areas that contain buried services, resulting in a cable strike and damage to the utility.

Recent upgrades to the utility infrastructure has required all services to be located to the highest accuracy and records kept digitally for historical reference. Until now the only way to record the location of a buried service, is first locate with a cable avoidance tool and then use a separate GPS device to log the location.

Cable Detection has overcome these problems by incorporating high accuracy, digital cable avoidance equipment with built-in GPS location technology.

GPS Positioning
The intelligent Cable Detection EZiCAT i700, EZiCAT i750, EZiCAT i750xf are the first cable locators to feature fully integrated internal GPS technology, which is used to record the geographical position of use.

The geographical position (Latitude and Longitude) is stored in the log file and provides information on where the locator was used. This information can then be transferred via Bluetooth to LOGiCAT software, making downloading and analysing the data quick and easy.

The GPS co-ordinates are recorded at second intervals and stored within the instruments internal memory. This ensures that all data relating to location of the service, activity of the instrument and geographical location is recorded.

Utilising the LOGiCAT software, managers can investigate and analyse the data. Points of interest can be identified and the service location can be recorded into a central database.

The recorded data can help identify training needs of users and for trace-ability of locating following a near miss, utility strike or similar incident.

For more information on the Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 series, visit our website

Leica Viva GS08plus - Lightest cable-free high-accuracy GNSS system

Leica Geosystems has developed a new GNSS solution to its successful Viva GNSS family. The Leica Viva GS08plus is the smallest and lightest cable-free high-accuracy GNSS system. Being light weight and ideally balanced, the Leica Viva GS08plus delivers ergonomic use for a wide range of surveying tasks.

Offering flexible setup options and equipped with the easy-to-use Leica SmartWorx Viva LT onboard software, the Leica Viva GS08plus allows professionals from many industries affordable entry into dual-frequency RTK surveying from a premium manufacturer.

Smallest and lightest, cable-free high-accuracy GNSS solution
The compact Leica Viva GS08plus SmartAntenna together with Leica Viva CS10 controller on a carbon telescopic pole weighs only 2.6 kg. Users profit from a completely cable-free ergonomic GNSS solution that is comfortable to carry for a full working day.

Proven Leica Geosystems GNSS Technology
Built on years of knowledge and experience, Leica Viva GS08plus delivers the hallmarks of Leica GNSS – reliability and accuracy. All Leica Viva GNSS are now green signifying their high quality also in the GNSS mid-range segment.

With SmartTrack and SmartCheck integrated, the Leica Viva GS08plus tracks signals with the highest quality and constantly evaluates and verifies the RTK solution to ensure the most reliable RTK positions for complete peace-of-mind.

Flexible Setup and Communications
Leica Viva GS08plus offers flexible wireless RTK communication and setups. The Leica Viva CS10 controller includes mobile broadband for high-speed internet connection to receive RTK corrections. At times when no RTK internet corrections are available, the CS10 controller can be easily equipped with a UHF radio to receive RTK corrections from a local base station. For full flexibility, the Leica Viva GS08plus itself can be deployed as a local base station.

Quick to Learn with Leica SmartWorx Viva LT
SmartWorx Viva LT is designed with simplicity in mind using clear graphics, logical menu structures, non-technical terminology and simplified workflows. The onboard software allows users to productively complete their surveying tasks within a minimum of time.


Click here for more information on the Leica Viva GS08plus

Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 with GPS Positioning

Cable Detection has recently launched a new range of digital cable avoidance tools integrating high precision location technology with GPS tracking functionality, the Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 series.

When undertaking a survey of a site before construction commences, accurate geographical location of detected services will need to be recorded.

A safe system of work prescribes the use of a locating device before any kind of excavation takes place. Obtaining accurate information about the location of buried utilities is the fundamental part to protect employees and equipment during any excavation project.

Ensuring the right location has been effectively searched and records of buried services are recorded correctly. With the Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 series, both detection and geographical location can be stored digitally.

The Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 range comprises of:
EZiCAT i700
A high precision digital cable locator incorporating GPS geographical location, memory for data-logging and Bluetooth connectivity.

EZiCAT i750
Locator with memory, Bluetooth, GPS and Depth estimation.

EZiCAT i750xf
Locator with memory, Bluetooth, GPS, Depth estimation, Current Indication and additional 512 & 640Hz tracing frequencies.

GPS Positioning
The intelligent Cable Detection EZiCAT i700, EZiCAT i750, EZiCAT i750xf are the first cable locators to feature fully integrated internal GPS technology, which is used to record the geographical position of use. The geographical position (Latitude and Longitude) is stored in the log file and provides information on where the locator was used.

This information can then be transferred via Bluetooth to LOGiCAT software, making downloading and analysing the data quick and easy. This data is useful to help identify training needs of users and for traceability of locating following a near miss, utility strike or similar incident.

Upon start-up, the Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 will undertake an internal start-up test all functionality including allowing the internal GPS module time to search for a GPS position.

Automatic Pinpointing
The EZiCAT i700 has all the well-known features you need to locate buried utilities effectively, along with the unique 'Automatic Pinpointing' feature which makes locating buried cables and pipes easy and simple. You don't need to manually adjust the sensitivity of the locator because the intelligent locator does this for you. Ensuring that you are using the optimum sensitivity for the environment you are locating in.


Features of the Cable Detection EZiCAT i700 range

Starts in Power Mode
Ensuring the most potentially dangerous current carrying utilities are detected first for maximum operator safety.

Mode Lock
xf models start in the last mode of operation at maximum sensitivity simplifying the survey process. Mode lock can be switched off enabling a Power mode start up for avoidance users.

Automatic controls
Making the EZiCAT easy to use, requiring minimal user experience.

Hazard Zone
The new feature which indicates the presence of a shallow buried utility in power, 8 and 33 kHz modes, (within approximately 30cm) alerting users to the increased risk.

High contrast LCD screen
With built-in light sensor, automatically enabling the backlight in dark conditions.

Signal Strength Indication (SSI)
EZiCAT locators feature numeric signal strength readout, specifically designed for easy Sonde location and use with EZiCAT to identify an underground utility.

Pinpoint Assist
Maintains the highest peak reading obtained on the signal strength indicator for a period of time, allowing the operator to quickly and accurately pinpoint the utility position.

Depth Indication (available on the i750 and i750xf models only)
When using the EZiCAT in conjunction with the EZiTEX signal transmitter or Sonde, operators can determine the depth of the buried utility, providing a clear advantage when conducting ground surveys.

Current Indication – (available on 750xf only)
Current measurement displayed following a depth reading. The current measurement helps to identify the utility to which the Ezitex signal transmitter is attached to.

Data logging
The EZiCAT i700 series locators’ record and store information whilst they are in use. The locators start to record information every second after completion of the initial start-up routine. These records (logs) are stored in the locators’ memory and can be retrieved and transferred via Bluetooth to a PC for analysis.

Bluetooth Connectivity
All of the EZiCAT i700 series locators have the added benefit of Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It allows the EZiCAT to integrate seamlessly with mobile mapping technology to log survey data, in addition to enabling wireless Bluetooth data transfer.

LOGiCAT
Allows you to upload the stored records to view the locators use, simply upload all records or search by date.

In-built test function
Allowing operators to test the hardware and software functionality of the EZiCAT before use.

Service Due Indicator
Supporting customer planned maintenance schedules or quality systems by displaying a wrench icon after 12 months.


For more information on the Cable Detection EZICAT i700, EZiCAT i750, EZiCAT i750xf, click here

Tell Tale Crack Monitor

Cracks often appear in a building. They may be just hairline cracks and of little significance or they may the first sign of a serious defect.

The crack may not increase in width and therefore would be static. However it may progressively increase in width over time. This progressive movement may suggest there is a serious defect in the foundations and / or the superstructure.

Monitoring and recording progressive changes in the width of the crack over time will confirm or otherwise the nature of the defect and assist with diagnosing the cause.

Sometimes cracks will open and then partially close, and then open again before partially closing again following a cyclic pattern of movement. Again monitoring and recording the changes of width over time and perhaps correlating the crack movements with external factors will assist with identifying the cause.

How To Monitor A Crack
Monitoring in isolation to any other investigation will rarely provide sufficient information to fully diagnose the cause of cracks. But it will indicate how the building is deforming and the rate at which movement is occurring. The results of the monitoring are a vital ingredient for diagnosing the cause.

Because crack monitoring takes time, it is essential it starts at the earliest opportunity and continues throughout the period of inspections and investigations. In some instances it can be continued to validate the remedial work.

A simple device called Avongard Tell Tale can be placed over the crack. This would provide precision monitoring the progressive width and indicate the direction of movement both horizontal and vertical movement.

The Avongard Tell Tale features two plates which overlap, the bottom plate contains a calibrated grid in millimeters with the top transparent plate containing precision cross hair which slides over the grid and shows any movement.

A detailed positive or negative reading can be read from the position of the cross hair on the graduation of the underlying grid to an accuracy of +/- 1.0mm and by interpolation to +/-0.5mm.

Avongard provide a crack recording sheet with every instrument to allow the surveyor to accurately record the position of the cross hairs on the opposing grid, building a pattern of movement over a period of time.

Application example
A useful application of using Tell Tales for crack monitoring would be illustrated by the following scenario:

An existing building is to be demolished to make way for a new development. There are existing buildings either side. Before demolition starts, the owner or the advisers of the building to be demolished inspects with the owners of the adjoining buildings any cracks in their buildings.

The widths of the cracks are measured using an Avongard Crack Width Gauge as part of the present condition survey and Tell Tales are fixed across any cracks.

The position and reading of each Tell Tale are agreed with all interested parties. All interested parties countersign the crack monitoring sheet. At agreed stages during the demolition, foundation and superstructure construction, all interested parties again read the Tell Tales for signs of movement and countersign the crack monitoring sheet. This procedure can reduce the incidence of disputes and claims with adjoining owners.


If you have a requirement for measuring a crack in a building or structure or even a concrete floor, visit our range of Avongard crack monitoring tell tales

Approved Crowcon Gas Monitor Dealer

Survey Express Services are the UK’s leading Crowcon approved dealer and authorised service center.

All equipment within the Crowcon range is available through our 6 regional offices employing fully trained service technicians who are Crowcon trained and approved to undertake all servicing and repair tasks.

Survey Express Services have been dealers for over 20 years and during this time accumulated first-hand experience in Crowcon’s superb range of personnel gas monitors.

Like our customer’s, Survey Express Services appreciate Crowcon gas monitors for their reliability, low cost of ownership and functionality in arduous environments.

We operate a hire fleet containing hundreds of Crowcon units, all supported by our service team maintaining these instruments to optimal performance.

If you are looking for a standard confined space Crowcon gas monitor, we hold these in stock. However, if your requirements are for more exotic gases like PID/VOC, chlorine and ammonia gases, we hold a specialist fleet ready for hire.

Chlorine is often utilised within the water industry to remove contaminants, so requiring personnel gas monitors with 5 gas sensors which we provide.

If you have a requirement for gas monitors or need a professional service center to manage your fleet, please contact your nearest office

Check out our extensive range of personnel gas monitors or if you have a requirement for servicing, please contact our service center