Thermal imaging is a valuable tool in water & moisture detection and is able to help detect problems in your facility or place of business. Infrared cameras have been proven for more than 30 years in industrial thermal imaging. They can save time and money in a wide range of commercial and industrial maintenance applications.
Water leakage is the leading cause of roof damage. It ruins insulation, causes corrosion, weakens metal decks and other building structures, encourages mold growth, and can even lead to structural collapse. But thanks to infrared surveys, there's now a fast, effective way to spot water accumulation and damage on any roof-even when that damage is out of sight. FLIR infrared cameras instantly show you what's wet and what's dry. You can immediately locate the ultimate source without disassembling the premises or disrupting the inhabitants.
Infrared thermographic imaging, also referred to as infrared thermography or IRT, uses cameras to detect the release of infrared radiation. The cameras produce an image called a thermograph or thermogram. Every object that produces any heat above absolute zero will emit infrared radiation, which means that it works well in nearly any conditions to produce images when visible illumination is not possible.
As the temperature in an environment increases, the amount of infrared radiation increases. This means that the thermogram can indicate warmer versus cooler temperatures as indicated by shading produced in the image. Warm objects or organisms will stand out well against a background of a cooler environment. This type of imaging is heavily used in surveillance and military applications as well as other industries such as energy auditing where observation is needed but the ability to use traditional cameras and light in the visible spectrum is limited.
Each type of material or organism offers a different emissivity level, making it possible to discern different objects or living beings. The advantages of infra-red camera inspection include that it does not cause destruction or damage to the materials being viewed; it can detect organisms or objects in dark areas; and it can be used to observe materials in hazardous conditions.
Infrared thermography is used as a method to inspect difficult to reach places for mold growth. This technology is ideal as it allows the inspector to gain access to areas where mold growth is suspected without having to enter a space that could be hazardous to health. When mold growth is suspected in places where human access is not possible, such as behind walls, within ceilings, narrow crawl spaces and underneath flooring, the infrared technology allows mold growth to be detected before it is visible in living spaces. Earlier detection allows for treatment and remediation to take place before the situation becomes any more severe.
Finding mold growth with an infrared camera inspection is just the beginning of the process for a mold claim. The inspector must be properly trained in infrared camera use and analysis of the resulting thermograms. In addition to the infrared camera, moisture detection equipment is often used to determine whether any mold growth is ongoing and whether any further water damage is still taking place.
Owners of property and inspectors are advised to use infrared cameras for mold detection under certain circumstances. These situations include:
