Using Infrared Imaging to Detect Water Damage

Most of us find it impossible to detect water damage over ceilings, behind walls and under floors of our property until the problem becomes acute. Since mold formation can begin in as little as 24 hours after the first leak, the cost of damage control and repairs greatly escalates by this time. The need of the hour is technology that can help us investigate and remove infestation while it is still in a nascent stage.

Moisture Assessment Technology
Infrared thermal imaging is one such technique to detect water damage and mold spores in building structures. Using a thermal image camera, this technology identifies the thermal condition, which is, heat or lack thereof, of an object. Using infrared light, it creates an image of this thermal condition, making it visible to the human eye. While most thermal image cameras produce live television pictures of this infrared radiation, sophisticated versions can measure the surface temperature and produce color image s to help the user understand thermal patterns.

How It Works
Thermal or infrared energy is part of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans perceive as heat. Although everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat, infrared light is not visible to humans due to its extensive wavelength.
Thermal image cameras produce images of this heat radiation without making contact with the surface of the object. Since water is cooler than construction materials, infrared imaging would show a lack of heat in case of moisture damage-related mold in a building. The best part is that these diagnostic cameras are extremely cost-effective.

Utility
Thermal image cameras that comprise temperature measurement help professionals to make effective moisture assessments and judge the condition of the building. These measurements may be compared with those in the structure's history or with other structures in the vicinity to determine if a temperature change will harm its integrity.

The findings of the moisture assessment can be verified with electronic, data-logging moisture detection equipment and sampling techniques. This helps them ensure that the camera results are defensible.

Besides inspectors, owners and insurance companies fin d this data useful to make decisions with respect to the maintenance of the property. They are advised to use infrared thermal imaging in the following cases:
To determine water damage after events like floods, roof or pipe leaks, etc.
Before purchasing property with potential internal water damage
Before the date of warranty expiration on new constructions
To determine areas of infiltration and exfiltration when performing an energy audit of the structure
To determine sufficiency of insulation

Thus, a thermal image camera provides invaluable information to inspectors, property owners and insurers alike about potential moisture damage and mold spores in a structure.

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