Moisture Inspections
Opportunities to Improve Building Performance and Lower Cost
- Roof inspections
- Wall inspections
Roof Inspections
Quality assurance inspections
Performed during or shortly after the completion of a new roof or replacement roof project. The purpose of the inspection is to show any of the hidden details that are viewable with the infrared. What is viewable depends on the type of roof, insulation and installation. This type inspection should be planned in advance of the project.
Fastener patterns due to the minor amount of heat
transmitted thru the fasteners.
Preventative roof moisture surveys
A cost effective use of infrared in low-slope roofing. Inspections are scheduled annual or biennial depending on the age of the roof and are started well before the expected decline of the roof system. The first inspection serves as a baseline. Minor problems are located and marked for repair, sometimes even before they leak into the structure.
This small wet area was only 2 feet across, representing a
minor inexpensive repair on this TPO roof system.
This large wet area contained roughly 350 square feet,
representing a major and expensive repair.
Inspections to pinpoint hard to locate leaks
Most leaks can be located and stopped without the use of an infrared camera. There are some leaks though, that using infrared could be beneficial, even considering the cost. Those leaks are the ones that keep coming back, or maybe never leave. The ones that several have looked at and it still leaks.
Looking up at a steel deck, the cool (darkest) spot is where the
leak first hit the decking. The rib that shows cooler than the
decking is the one where the water is running
Pre-restoration/replacement roof moisture surveys
The most common type of roof moisture survey accomplished with an infrared camera. The survey is performed before a roof is restored or replaced to determine how much, if any, of the insulation will need to be replaced.
A clear distinction can be seen between the the wet insulation
boards to the right and the dry to the left.
Open flashing around this pipe was found to be the
apparent cause of this wet area located on a MB roof system.
Wall Inspections
Locate moisture in EIFS
EIFS is everywhere and everywhere EIFS is moisture is also. Most everything behind the surface is adversely affected by moisture. It is important to stop moisture before it can damage the insulations or structure. An inexpensive non-destructive infrared inspection once each year can help protect the investment of a entire building shell.
Darker areas to the right contain moisture under the surface
of the EIFS.
Moisture appears to be penetrating along a crack in the
surface.
Locate moisture in masonry
Masonry units that are sealed by paint may take on moisture through pinholes in the paint. The moisture affects the surface temperature which is visible to the infrared camera.
Moisture in this masonry wall shows as darker.
Trace leaks behind metal panel, vinyl and other thin sidings
Moisture on the back side of a thin panel will change the surface temperature and may be viewable by the thermographer.