Moisture Equals Mold
When you’re faced with a flood or leak – or when you’re in a new place that could have hidden mold problems – you need to find any moisture as quickly as possible. The problem faced by most property owners and managers is that moisture behind walls, over ceilings, and under floors is often impossible to detect until the problem is excessive and visible to the naked eye.
There is no practical way to permanently eliminate mold spores in an indoor environment. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture. Mold can begin growth in as little as 24 hours. Roof leaks, building envelope defects and water pipe leaks are common sources of water accumulation that may cause mold growth.
Infrared Inspection prevents Mold Infestations
However, with infrared imaging, we can help you quickly find problem areas before mold grows out of control. Mold related problems can be detected before the mold is visible to the eye or detectable by the nose. Infrared Imaging carried out by our operator with thermographic and construction expertise provides valuable diagnostic tools for construction related problems of water intrusion and mold growth.
The speed of using infrared, and the larger areas covered rapidly by an IR Camera, can save time and money by providing a faster, more efficient and more reliable survey. An IR camera can detect moisture located behind interior walls under the right conditions. The temperature difference created by the presence of moisture on the inside surface of a wall will appear differently than the surrounding area.
Infrared Imaging experts recommend that property owners or their insurers should use Infrared Imaging cameras for moisture detection under the following circumstances:
- After any water damage event like a flood, broken water lines, equipment failure, roof leaks, etc.
- Before warranty expiration on new construction
- Before acquiring a building suspected of having hidden moisture damage.
(Don’t believe the story that the house has been vacant – Musty odors are caused by moisture.)
- When isolated walls are covered by new finish materials out of context within a building.
- When suspected plumbing leaks have occurred from in-slab water supply and/or waste lines
- When doors, windows, or other openings in the structure are suspected of leaking.
- When performing an energy audit of the building to determine areas of infiltration and ex filtration.
- To determine adequacy of insulation. Wet insulation is a poor insulator but is a great conductor of heat.
- Locating hidden leakage and/or dampness under resilient flooring
- Locating wet areas in non-accessible crawlspaces
