Moisture in building
materials can destroy structural integrity and nurture mold,
especially if the problem remains hidden or becomes excessive.
Mold, which can begin to grow
within 24 hours after moisture seepage, has forced organizations
to spend millions on environmental tests and structural
restoration, adversely affecting their bottom lines.
From a health standpoint, exposure to mold can
cause allergic reactions, asthma, and other serious respiratory
issues for a building’s inhabitants, too.
The first step in eliminating mold is to quickly
and accurately locate and remove all sources of moisture. Since
some sources of moisture and areas where mold may potentially
grow are impossible to
see with
the naked eye, infrared thermography is the ideal technology to
use when inspecting buildings for restoration.
Infrared thermography is a fast and non-invasive
technology that can accurately track down sources of moisture in
the building envelope – even when hidden behind interior walls,
within insulation, or in the ceiling. An infrared camera detects
thermal anomalies by imaging the different temperatures of wet
versus dry building materials. Thermal images produced by the
infrared camera enable the thermographer to determine whether
moisture or even mold may already be lurking.
And because infrared thermal imaging is
non-invasive, it involves little or no physical disassembly of
the premises and minimal disturbance of inhabitants. This helps
to preserve structural integrity, saves time and money for the
building owner,
and
reduces inconvenience for the building’s residents.
An infrared camera can scan large areas and
places hard to reach from a distance and pinpoint possible wet
conditions and potential areas of mold growth. Infrared thermal
imaging is more accurate and efficient than contact methods,
such as non-destructive and penetrating moisture meters, which
are more labor-intensive and limited to what they can reach.
Thermal images generated by the infrared camera
physically document the condition of the building being surveyed
and can be used to help restoration companies develop a clear
plan for rehabilitation. In addition, specialized software makes
it easy to analyze results and prepare detailed reports that
clearly communicate the critical details needed to make educated
and cost-effective and decisions.
Infrared thermography can be used effectively
for building restoration in the following ways:
• Detect building moisture issues: Accurately
locate building moisture issues and track to their source. You
can in inspect places that can’t be physically reached with
moisture meters. Once repaired, you can monitor the drying
process and confirm when the moisture is gone.
• Document restoration conditions: Track and
easily record as-built or post-repair restoration
conditions–documenting cause and origin data and images.
Infrared also provides a competitive advantage
for restoration firms that market its use.
• Pinpoint problem areas: With infrared
technology, you can identify the location of problem areas with
extreme accuracy, taking the guesswork out of trying to find
issues hidden within walls, and ceilings or roofs – saving time
over traditional visual methods.
Track Down Sources of Moisture
Moisture can infiltrate all
areas of the building envelope. Even when mold does not grow
from moisture intrusion, the structural integrity and safety of
the building can still be compromised. Infrared thermography can
be used by restoration professionals to find leaks in roofs,
evaluate energy efficiency, perform post-catastrophe
investigations, and locate construction defects and more.
Leaky roofs: Water leakage in roofs is the
number one factor that leads to damaged insulation and
substrate, corrosion and weakening of metal decks and building
structure, growth of mold, and even structural collapse.
Pinpointing the exact locations of wet areas with an infrared
camera can save money and time for building owners because
repairs, rather than entire roof replacement, can be made.
Moisture and energy efficiency: Infrared
thermography can be used when evaluating buildings for areas of
water infiltration and exfiltration. An infrared camera can
detect moisture-laden insulation in walls, attics, around doors,
windows, and other areas. When left unresolved, these problems
can increase a building’s energy’s costs by allowing cold air
and heated air to enter or escape.
Water disasters: Catastrophes, such as flooding
caused by severe storms, broken water lines, or failed
equipment, can cause tremendous damage to walls, flooring,
carpets, ceilings, and other areas within a building. Infrared
thermography can be used in a post-disaster inspection to
quickly and accurately evaluate the extent of water damage and
monitor the drying process.
Construction defects: Moisture can infiltrate
siding, brick veneers, stucco, stone, and other facades used on
buildings, especially if they are not properly installed.
Without an infrared camera, it is very difficult to find the
leaks caused by these weatherproofing systems. And when left
undetected, moisture that makes it way through the façade of a
building can wind up damaging ceilings, floors, and walls within
the structure itself.
New infrared cameras make it easier than ever
for restoration contractors to see problems. Today’s infrared
cameras are designed and built to meet the demands and needs of
the building industry for use in restoration, inspection, and
more.
Rugged and compact, these infrared cameras are
ultra-lightweight, ergonomic, and easy-to-operate. Increased
thermal sensitivity in many of these infrared cameras enables
thermographers to see smaller temperature differences and get
sharper images.
New infrared cameras for building inspection
feature alarms specially designed
to detect moisture-laden areas and identify potential areas
where mold could grow. For example, Flir’s BCAM SD’s automatic
color alarm quickly alerts users to moisture-laden areas during
building scans – detecting potential areas of mold growth, as
well as verifying when structures are moisture free during the
drying out process. A patented Dew Point Alarm displays areas
with risk of surface condensation where mold growth could occur,
which allows restoration professionals to take proactive
measures to prevent this from happening.
Thermographers can also instantly image entire
rooms, inspect places that can’t be physically reached with
moisture meters, reveal wet conditions behind surfaces such as
enameled walls and wallpaper that don’t readily water stain,
track leads to their source, monitor the drying process, and
confirm when a structure is dry. These capabilities enable
building restoration professionals to work more efficiently –
saving time and money during the inspection process.
Up to 1,000 highly sensitive thermal images in
standard jpeg format can be generated to allow operators to
detect subtle temperature variations that can signal moisture
content in building materials.
Forms can be stored, too. These images can be
shared at the inspection site on a viewing screen and later
through email and other software, enabling building restoration
professionals to communicate the conditions and quickly
recommend a course of corrective action.
Other infrared cameras are designed specifically
for the building industry and all levels of infrared camera
experience and needs. For example, the ThermaCAM B400 offers
state-of-the-art features and benefits for those who are looking
for more functionality. It offers fusion technology, which
allows for easier identification and interpretation of infrared
images. This advanced technology enhances the value of an
infrared image by allowing you to overlay it directly over the
corresponding visible image at the push of a button. The T400
does this in real-time and the overlay function can be easily
adjusted to suit building diagnostic applications.
Training is key for using infrared successfully
in building diagnostics. Investing in the right infrared camera
is only one part of using infrared successfully for building
inspection. It is also important
to
understand the theory and practice of using infrared
thermography as a non-invasive building diagnostic and reporting
tool, as well as how your infrared camera operates in order for
you to properly use the camera and know how to interpret the
images with accuracy.
Since infrared thermography can be used to
detect a myriad of existing or potential issues in buildings, an
infrared camera can prove to be a practical and cost-effective
investment.
To learn more about how infrared thermography
can be used for building restoration, visit FLIR’s web site at
www.goinfrared.com, or call 1-800-464-6372.
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