Thermal People

Moisture Inspection - Infrared Water Damage

By conducting an infrared water damage inspection, thermographers can find and diagnose hidden water damage without causing destruction to the building’s structure.

What is an infrared water damage inspection?

An infrared water damage inspection is performed to detect any signs of water damage or mold growth in a home or building. Thermographers use thermal infrared cameras for these moisture inspections. Infrared cameras capture images of infrared energy, the invisible light wavelengths emitted by objects. We recognize these wavelengths as heat. Infrared cameras translate the infrared energy information into colorful digital displays, indicating subtle temperature changes in a room or within the structure. Areas containing moisture are cooler than surrounding areas. A trained thermographer can pinpoint moisture damage present in walls, ceilings, and floors that would otherwise go undetected.

What types of damage does an infrared water damage inspection reveal?

Moisture damage is usually well hidden until it creates the need for a major renovation project. A water damage inspection with a thermal camera uncovers roof leaks, pipe leaks, and other instances of water intrusion. Moisture often creates mold growth, and a moisture inspection can locate mold growth that is often unexposed until it produces an odor or grows enough to creep out from behind walls, roofs, or floors.

How can you benefit from an infrared water damage inspection?

Infrared water damage inspection is a nondestructive, cost-effective way to find water damaged areas in your home or other buildings. There is no need to take core samples to determine if an area has moisture damage. The images from the thermal camera will indicate where there are moisture problems, and further repair and renovation can be planned according to these findings. A water damage inspection gives you early warning about any potential or current moisture damage. The thermal camera photos and videos provide the history of a building’s water damage and a means of comparison for future infrared water damage inspections.

Submitted by, Jack Daughtry on 2009-04-08
Resources: