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4 Types of IR Roof Moisture Surveys

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Identifying roof moisture in a commercial property’s roof system is vital to protecting a business owner’s investments and securing the safety of workers, visitors, residents and anyone else who has cause to be inside the facility. Thanks to today’s infrared detection technology, even the largest roofs can be inspected without destruction and in a timely manner.

IR thermography technicians use four types of surveys to detect moisture on commercial roofing:

  1. On-the-roof (also called on-roof or walking the roof) moisture survey

Most roof moisture surveys done with infrared thermography are performed by technicians using their equipment while standing on a business’ roof. A visual inspection by trained individuals can identify tears and poor seals around equipment and pipes on the roof where water is draining inside the facility, as well as detect places where unseen leaks may be wreaking havoc on the roof’s structure and underlying insulation.

  1. Under-the-roof (or under-roof) moisture survey

IR detection can be done from underneath the roof, between the interior ceiling and the roof structure. By using infrared thermography, IR Test technicians can find specific spots where moisture is being trapped under the roof so that you can repair only those areas.

  1. Elevated roof moisture survey

From an elevated position above the roof, IR thermographers can create a highly accurate roof moisture map of even the largest commercial roof. Few signs of leaks are missed from this perspective. Naturally, an elevated roof moisture survey is best done on a clear day.

  1. Aerial roof moisture survey

This is the most efficient way to conduct a commercial infrared roof moisture survey. Every nook and cranny of the roofing is exposed, so nothing prevents the IR thermography from detecting even the smallest signs of a leak.

Keeping a commercial building’s roofing insulation dry will help the roof last longer, keep electrical systems from malfunctioning, prevent the interior ceiling from falling in and eliminate mold growth. Infrared thermography identifies specific areas in need of repair, which means owners and contractors know exactly where to concentrate their work. Spot repair is significantly less expensive than replacing an entire roof.

Before any business owner or manager makes the decision to repair or replace the roof of a commercial building, an IR thermography roofing moisture survey is vital to saving time and unnecessary expense. Don’t assume your new roof is leak-proof, either! Get it inspected now for peace of mind (and safety) the rest of the year.

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Can Infrared Testing Reveal as Much as Cutting into a Pipe?

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When you can see condensation or feel heat on a pipe, you know something may be wrong inside of it. Cutting into that pipe to discover a potential problem, though, is a serious and costly step. Infrared testing may be a better choice.

Even where no obvious signs of temperature disturbances are visible, problems may still exist under the surface. In situations like this, IR cameras and trained thermographers are invaluable. All objects radiate IR energy, which an IR camera can “see.” The thermographer reads the thermal radiation patterns to determine the condition of a pipe or other material vital to your business.

Doing this right takes a highly-trained thermographer because of thermal reflectivity. Some of the radiation being emitted from the pipe or other components won’t have anything to do with true surface temperature. Thermographers go through extensive training to learn how to identify, understand, evaluate and control this reflective energy. Thermography also requires deep knowledge of physics and environmental factors that influence surface temperatures.

Thermography has two big advantages or other NDT (nondestructive testing) tech:

  •      Speed – thermography is almost instantaneous
  •      In-situ inspection – large areas or a vast number of objects can be tested in a short period of time

Other advantages include:

  •      Environmentally friendly
  •      No destruction of what’s being examined
  •      Major savings in employee compensation, downtime and machinery costs
  •      Can be done day or night

Contact at (888) 925-4404 or via our online form to talk about inspecting your pipes – and saving you money.

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Importance of Evaluating Distribution Lines and Substation

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Working in a high voltage environment comes with a lot of risks. One minor mistake could lead to an employee become injured badly. Companies are beginning to realize the importance of using infrared detection technology in their overall maintenance plan. Not only will infrared surveys give employees a safer work environment, but they will also ensure systems run more efficiently.

Distribution lines and substations are important to evaluate accurately, so having an experienced infrared thermographer conduct a survey is critical. Here are some of the main benefits of infrared inspection when it comes to these components.

Reliability and Safety of Systems

With the high voltage equipment used in industrial environments, regular evaluation of different components is critical for safety and overall reliability of various systems. Whether it’s transformers, regulators, switches or any other component, infrared detection technology can help ensure they run efficiently and safely.

Like with other electrical testing, infrared thermography can identify points where temperature is hotter than in other areas. Most importantly, these surveys can identify heat where heat shouldn’t be. A rise in temperature in some of these components make them work harder, meaning they are less energy efficient and cost more money to operate. Plus, they are a potential hazard for fires or explosions if not operating efficiently.

Predictive Maintenance Can Prevent Disasters

When it comes to substations and distribution lines, predictive maintenance can prevent major disasters from occurring. Any given substation has hundreds, or even thousands, of different connections. If even one of these connections is faulty, it could lead to a broken machine, a dangerous environment or even a costly shutdown.

With the non-invasive infrared detection technology, these connections can be evaluated without having to put a halt to production. The technology used can determine faulty contacts or connections much better than the human eye, so most companies consider it a worthy investment. The best part about electrical testing with IR technology is it not only identifies current issues, but it can also predict future problems before they occur.

Avoid Costly Shutdowns

From a business standpoint, the last thing any company wants to do is shut down due to an equipment failure. With regular evaluation of distribution lines and substations, these costly shutdowns can be avoided. Some companies make the mistake of avoiding the use of infrared consulting services because of the upfront cost. However, the long-term risk is greatly reduced when you know your systems are functioning properly.

In addition to the reduced risk, the surveys essentially pay for themselves when you think of the money companies would have to pay for a replaced machine or a shutdown. A thousand dollars here and there is much better than paying hundreds of thousands of dollars later on to fix a major problem.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we have experienced infrared thermographers to conduct surveys on any of your distribution lines and substations. Be sure to contact us for an evaluation.

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IR Testing Finds What a General Shutdown Can’t

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When it comes to regular maintenance for your commercial building, sometimes human senses simply can’t detect every issue. The benefits of infrared inspection include seeing leaks not visible to the human eye and detecting potential problems without having to shut down the entire building.

Companies are beginning to see the value of getting a thermography inspection regularly, and here’s why.

Advantages of IR Testing

Companies who conduct regular thermal imaging electrical inspections will experience fewer shutdowns. This is because the technology can see much more than even the best structural engineer. At the same time, these inspections help a business reduce costs on labor, wear on machinery and time invested in diagnosing repairs.

Plus, one of the best benefits of infrared inspection is you can keep business running as usual during testing. Depending on the layout of your building, the infrared survey could be completed after hours, but most of the time it isn’t even necessary.

IR Testing is for Any Part of the Commercial Building

From the HVAC system to the roof to the building envelope, infrared testing can get the job done. Most companies start with an infrared roof moisture survey, since the roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of a building when it comes to leaking. However, getting a complete infrared thermography inspection completed frequently will help ensure every part of the building will stay in good shape for years to come.

Improved Preventative Maintenance

IR testing not only shows what is completely faulty, but also what components are weakening due to age. This is especially important for electrical thermography, since you can see if a plug or wire is showing signs of being faulty before it actually stops working or causes other problems.

Many times, preventative maintenance can only do so much, since people can’t look at every little detail of the entire building. By doing a professional infrared thermography inspection, potential problems will be identified so employees can target those areas as part of their regular maintenance schedule.

Decrease Downtime and Avoid a Costly Shutdown

Above all else, companies schedule IR testing to reduce downtime and prevent costly shutdowns. If a machine breaks to the point where it can’t be used for an extended period of time, then significant costs could be accrued in the form of replacing the machine and lost time for employees.

When comparing the cost of an infrared thermography inspection to the cost of a potential shutdown, the comparison is one-sided. Not only does IR testing find things a general shutdown can’t, it will find potential problems more quickly before they become major issues.

As more companies turn toward conducting infrared testing, be sure to contact us for questions or to schedule an appointment and avoid having to shut down your business for even a day.

Identify roof problems early with an infrared roof moisture survey.

Six Ways You Can Help Your Commercial Roof Survive the Winter

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Winter is finally here, which means it’s time to take some precautions to keep your commercial building in top shape. It’s easy to overlook roof maintenance since it’s essentially out of sight, out of mind. However, if a winter storm hits, you’ll wish you had done some preventive maintenance.

General maintenance workers can’t always spot vulnerable areas in a roof. With the help of infrared detection technology, you can rest easy knowing the roof is in good shape. Here are six ways to ensure your commercial roof can survive the harsh winter season.

Inspect the HVAC System

All the ductwork, housings, pipes and condensation lines need to be checked closely. Infrared detection technology can help you see if there are any leaks or holes, which could mean condensation might leak to where it shouldn’t. Since the HVAC system and the roof work in conjunction with each other, inspecting your HVAC ductwork should be at the top of your list this winter.

Remove All Debris

Old autumn leaves need to be removed as quickly as possible. Not only does debris on your roof create unnecessary weight, it can also clog water drainage routes and potentially damage your roof as a result.

Check the Attic Insulation

Since heat rises, you may be unnecessarily heating up your roof if you have poor insulation in your attic. This could cause snow to melt at a quicker pace and also cause a freezing, melting and refreezing phenomenon. This could be potentially serious to the health of your roof. This is just another reasonit’s advised to do infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns.

Trim Nearby Tree Branches

You should always keep tree branches trimmed away from your commercial roof, but doing so is especially important in the winter. The tree’s limbs could fall off and damage the roof or even rub a hole in it with constant contact. Plus, small animals will be looking for a warm place during the winter so overhanging branches give them easy access to your roof to potentially find holes to get into your building, leading to a new problem altogether.

Ensure Water Can Flow Easily Off the Roof

Any time water flow access is restricted, you’re setting yourself up for commercial roof failure. An infrared roof moisture survey can tell where water has been building up and where obstructions are. The last thing you want to happen is for water to build up on your roof or gutters and then freeze.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

The best thing you can do before the first winter storm is commission a professional infrared roof moisture survey. Peace of mind goes a long way in business, and knowing your commercial roof is in good shape prior to winter will be one less thing you have to worry about.

When you’re ready to have your infrared roof moisture survey completed, give us a call.

Detect small leaks with an infrared roof moisture survey.

What Causes Flat Roofs to Leak?

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Just because a roof is flat doesn’t mean it will never leak. In fact, a flat roof will leak just as much as any other roof since the determining factors are mostly the same. Small leaks can cause big problems in the short-term and long-term for many businesses. That’s why most business owners pay for infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns. Infrared technology can confirm where leaks happen. Here are a few causes you need to be aware of.

Poor Drainage

Flat roofs require some type of drainage system in place. Water sitting on a roof for an extended amount of time can do some major damage to the roof’s structure. Eventually, the pressure from the water could cause the roof to structurally fail, or at the least, start leaking. By conducting a simple infrared roof moisture survey, you can see where your roof is vulnerable and take action to fix it.

Harsh Environments

If your business is located in an area with harsh weather, you need to take proactive steps to ensure your roof is protected. Even something as simple as high winds could cause your roof to start leaking. However, an infrared roof moisture survey can display weak spots in your roof. These weak spots could become faulty during harsh weather so you can then take steps to have those spots repaired.

Faulty Seals Around Roof Penetrations

Air vents and other penetrations may come through a flat roof for ventilation. Sometimes the seals around those penetrations need to be repaired or replaced. The worst thing that can happen is having moisture leak through those areas since electrical equipment could be nearby. In this case, you definitely don’t want to experience what happens with an electric systems failure.

Age of the Roof

An aged flat roof can easily leak, thanks to time, the sun and other elements beating down on its surface. That’s why it’s important to conduct infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns. By performing these tests and routine maintenance, business owners will be able to determine when it’s time to repair or replace a roof.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we’ve seen it all when it comes to roof leaks. If you think you have a roof leak or just want to have an infrared thermography test conducted, contact us.

Steam traps experienced the benefits of infrared inspection.

What You Need to Know About Infrared Steam Trap Testing

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Facility or plant managers always look for ways to save money and be more efficient. Faulty steam traps account for thousands of wasted dollars, which could be prevented with regular maintenance and testing. The maintenance of steam traps is often overlooked due to other priorities, but they still need attention. With the help of thermal imaging services, faulty steam traps can be identified quickly and easily to help them run more efficiently, saving you money and energy. Here are some points you need to know about infrared inspection for steam trap testing.

Temperature Measurements

Measuring the temperature in and around steam traps may not be the best test to perform since its temperature naturally varies. Still, infrared consulting services will likely do a quick temperature analysis just to determine whether there are any extremely noticeable temperature differences.

Infrared testing will measure both the outlet and inlet temperatures to see if there are any significant differences. This is an effective method for simple steam traps, but may not tell the whole story for more complex steam traps.

While infrared testing is important for finding temperature measurements, proper preventive measures should also combine other tests as well, such as sound.

Steam Traps Will Eventually Fail

Like any machinery, steam traps aren’t meant to last forever. When a steam trap begins showing signs of failure, it’s time to either repair or replace it. One of the main benefits of infrared inspection is the ability to identify an issue before it escalates and your steam trap needs replacement. A company definitely doesn’t want to risk inefficient processes because of a faulty steam trap.

When to Test Steam Traps

Since it’s difficult to detect a faulty steam trap with the naked eye, it’s recommended to frequently use thermal imaging services to get ahead of any issues. A simple infrared thermography analysis could help you estimate how much energy is being wasted on a particular steam trap so you can decide whether it’s time to repair or replace it.

With all the moving parts facilities use on a daily basis, steam trap maintenance often gets overlooked. The importance of regular infrared testing on steam traps can’t be understated, contact us to schedule an appointment today!

Identify moisture issues early with infrared thermography.

How Can Infrared Thermography Help Find Unwanted Moisture?

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What all business and property owners need to understand is moisture could be present behind walls, ceilings and floors and you may not even know it. Most of the time, you won’t know there’s a problem until you can actually see the moisture. With the help of infrared thermography, unwanted moisture can be detected before it becomes a larger and costlier issue. Not only will this save money, but it will also keep everyone safe from mold risks.

Understanding the Technology

Infrared detection technology can create images using infrared lighting based on an object’s thermal condition. Some infrared cameras will actually tell the temperature of any given object and can provide infrared images to determine temperature differences.

The key to infrared problem prevention is locating areas of temperature differences. These temperature differences could be the sign of existing moisture. Most of the time, no one can see this moisture or feel the temperature differences with the naked eye or with normal senses, but infrared cameras can detect it and bring the issue to light.

When Should Infrared Technology Be Used?

Regular infrared thermography testing is highly recommended because you never know when moisture could be present. Sometimes it is the tiniest of leaks or cracks that cause the largest issues, and you wouldn’t know it without using infrared technology. When an expert provides you with the testing results, they will also recommend a course of action to take. Most of the time the repairs won’t take long and won’t be costly, but the longer you wait, the more potential damage could occur.

Advantages of Using Infrared Technology for Unwanted Moisture

You could walk around your property looking and feeling for moisture and temperature differences or you could hire an infrared thermography professional. Testing will prove more effective since most moisture isn’t detectable with the naked eye. Plus, it will save a great deal of time since infrared technology can be used to survey large areas quickly. Once the testing is done, you will have clear images of where potential problems are rather than having to guess.

The advantages of using infrared thermography testing for unwanted moisture speak for themselves. To learn more about the process or to schedule a survey, contact us.

Infrared Consulting Services infrared roof moisture survey

A Brief Guide to Roof Leaks: What Causes Them and What Can Be Done About Them Pt. 2

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If you only examine the surface of your roof to determine if there are any leaks, you may be overlooking some important factors. Sometimes a roof leak isn’t evident until you go deeper and get an infrared roof moisture survey completed. Many times these surveys can detect a leak before they even occur, saving your business a lot of time, money and unnecessary headaches. Part two of this two-part series discusses the infrared inspection process.

Infrared Scanning Process

The average person will struggle when trying to learn the science behind the infrared thermography process. Instead, business owners just need to look at it as a more in-depth way of seeing what’s going on with their commercial roof.

Infrared cameras and equipment measure temperatures of the roof to determine the presence of moisture. Discrepancies with the temperature of one area compared to adjacent areas could determine the presence of moisture and a possible leak.

The infrared scanning process usually occurs in the evening hours when the roof has been exposed to sunlight for an extended amount of time. Sunlight causes the roof to heat up, making the temperature rise in areas with trapped moisture. Without the use of infrared cameras, it’s impossible to see or feel the temperature differences in most cases.

When to Use Infrared

You can certainly use infrared consulting services to conduct a roof survey when you’ve discovered a leak on your own. However, you would be better off having an infrared expert come out before it gets to that point. Doing so will help you save some money and prevent major damage.

The average business owner may think they can’t detect a roof leak until it rains. However, with the technology of infrared thermography, roof moisture can be detected at any time. There’s never a bad time to get an infrared roof inspection.

Preventative Maintenance

Having an infrared roof moisture survey completed frequently will help prevent major damage from roof leaks. The infrared inspection process can take a little bit of time, but it rarely interrupts your day-to-day business operations. Once you have the results of the inspection in your hands, you can determine whether the roof needs to be repaired immediately or not. Preventative maintenance goes a long way in protecting the integrity of your roof, but you may not know what needs attention unless you have an infrared test conducted.

It’s difficult to predict when a roof will begin leaking, so that’s why infrared technology should be used on a regular basis. Even the experts at Infrared Consulting Services have a difficult time identifying problem areas with the naked eye. That’s why the importance of infrared can’t be understated.

If you need to schedule a roof inspection, or would like more information about the inspection process, be sure to contact us today.

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A Brief Guide to Roof Leaks: What Causes Them and What Can Be Done About Them Pt. 1

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The best way to prevent roof leaks is to know what causes them in the first place. Sometimes a roof leak can be a quick and easy fix, but other times it can take a significant amount of effort, even for professionals. It’s always advisable to commission infrared consulting services to conduct a routine survey of your commercial roof, just as a preventative maintenance measure. Some problems with your roof may be easy to identify, but some may not be. In this first part of our two-part guide, we will look at some of the causes of commercial roof leaks.

Standing Water

Many commercial buildings, especially older ones, have flat roofs. Unless the proper drainage system is in place, those roofs are prone to standing water. It’s easy to guess what standing water can do to a roof. The sheer weight of the water alone can compromise the integrity of the roof. If that’s your main problem, you don’t even need an infrared thermography test to determine what needs to be fixed.

Roof Penetrations

Objects like drains, pipes, vents, gas lines and HVAC units could penetrate through the roof membrane. Any object cutting through the roof could cause a roof leak. When you have an infrared roof moisture survey, many times the source of the leak is identified near a penetration object. These objects require frequent maintenance to ensure the water seal is strong and effective.

Membrane Damage

A roof membrane’s main function is to prevent water from coming into the interior of the building. Membrane damage generally isn’t a problem until the building begins to age. After the sun and weather beat down on the roof for many years, it eventually will begin to crack or split. When this happens, it’s probably time to get in touch with an infrared consulting services professional to determine the severity of the damage and how to fix the roof most efficiently.

Old Age

When you have an infrared roof moisture survey completed, the professional will likely ask how old the roof is. A roof isn’t going to last forever, so any kind of water leak or moisture penetration could simply be because the roof is old. If the roof as a whole doesn’t look structurally sound enough to prevent water from entering, it may be time to replace it completely rather than just patch up current problem areas.

These are just a few common causes to roof leaks, but there are many others as well. Part two of this guide will discuss the inspection process, but feel free to get in touch with us if you would like more information about the causes of commercial roof leaks.