Most property owners face the problem of moisture behind walls, over ceilings and beneath the floors, which is often impossible to detect until it grows to a great extent and is noticeable by the naked eye. As the examination and elimination of such infiltrations of mould within the structure are very difficult, now technology is being employed by professionals to do what used to be impossible.
Technology has provided us with a tool that can be used by investigators and plumbing consultants to detect and help eliminate mould infestations. This technological tool is called Infrared Thermography (IT). IT is a method that creates an image of what’s invisible to the human eye using infrared light emitted by objects due to the heat.
The most typical type of thermography camera looks like a regular camcorder and produces a live-television-like picture of heat radiation. More sophisticated cameras can also measure the temperatures of any object or surface in the image and create false-colour photos that make understanding thermal patterns easier. The image produced by an infrared camera is known as a thermogram or thermograph.
Building experts or other related professionals prefer infrared cameras as inspection assets by for fast, reliable and accurate diagnosis of a property during a holistic detection of building problems – from post-catastrophe fire and flood investigations to lingering leaks and moisture problems.
Nowadays, Infrared camera inspection has become essential not only for detecting plumbing leaks but also for investigating moisture problems in basements. Experienced tech and professionals can use this to identify such problem areas quickly.
Water is the primary reason for mould growth and musty smell in the basement, which even leads to health problems. However, it is essential to take note that Infrared camera does not show the moisture itself. What it does is to show indifference in surface temperature indicated in different colours.
Generally, colder areas are shown in darker colours and hotter areas in bright red or yellow undertones. There could be two reasons for the colder temperature of the basement wall: one of them is the lack of proper insulations the other is moisture. Wet surfaces are always slightly colder than the dry areas. At this stage, a moisture detector is used to confirm the presence of water in the walls.
Moisture in building materials can damage the structural integrity by fostering mould. The first step to finding a remedy for this moisture problem is to immediately and accurately locate and then eliminate all sources of moisture.
Infrared cameras straightaway show what’s cool and what’s warm. That can assist in locating the moisture. IR cameras can promptly discover the crucial source with little or no physical dismantling of the properties and negligible trouble to residents.
However, discovering a problem with an infrared camera is not a solution, it’s only a diagnosis. It is the beginning of an examination that will assist property owners or developers to take measures against a problem before it turns dangerous. What’s important to remember is that an infrared photo without accurate temperature measurements provides negligible detail about the condition of a structure or its vulnerability to mould growth.
If you are facing a moisture or water damage problem in your property, consult an expert to know the best remedy for your situation. Contact us today!
