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Infrared Consulting Services thermographic scanning

How Does Wall Moisture Develop?

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Moisture problems in a building can be a huge issue for businesses. The problem with moisture is you sometimes don’t even know it’s present until it’s too late. Once mold and mildew start forming, you could be dealing with significant repairs and potential health issues for yourself and your employees.

The good news is regular thermographic scanning can detect areas where wall moisture is present. This allows you to address the area before it gets worse and causes significant issues. How does wall moisture really develop and what can you do to prevent it? Here are some facts and points to consider.

Poor Construction or Drainage

Many infrared inspection services realize wall moisture is simply a result of poor construction, especially in the drainage system. Some structures simply aren’t built to handle water drainage, no matter how structurally sound they are. This is one of the reasons why infrared thermography testing is critical before purchasing or leasing a new office space. When water sets in certain areas, especially on the roof of a building, wall moisture is inevitable. Thermographic scanning plays a large role in identifying large-scale issues that could lead to wall moisture at some point.

Cracks or Holes in the Wall

Any time you have cracks or holes in your wall, there’s a huge risk of moisture intruding. Moisture could hide in between the walls for a long time before you ever notice an issue. However, when you do an infrared thermography scan, thermographers will be able to detect the presence of moisture because of the temperature difference in certain areas. When these areas are identified, you can address the crack or hole immediately to prevent mold growth or other larger issues.

Humidity and Heat

If your building is in an extremely hot and humid environment, you always have to be concerned about moisture developing where it shouldn’t be. When you combine moisture with heat and small spaces, you’re sure to develop mold and other issues requiring extensive repairs.

The good thing about infrared inspection services is the IR technology can quickly and easily identify areas where moisture is present. This could be on a roof, in walls, in a basement, HVAC systems or anywhere else you normally don’t look. Humidity and heat are uncomfortable to begin with, but the combination can also lead to tough consequences for your business if it leads to wall moisture.

Infrared Consulting Services is the leader in providing the best thermographic scanning services in the industry. Our certified thermographers can not only detect wall moisture, but can also help you identify the root of the issue so it won’t occur again. Be sure to contact us to set up an appointment or to learn more about our services and how we can help your business.

Infrared Consulting Services thermographic scanning

A Quick Guide to Building Envelopes

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A building envelope is literally the part of a building you can draw lines around. The components include the walls, roof and foundation. These are obviously the most important components of any structure, but they are also the most overlooked. Many people take the building envelope for granted and don’t give it the proper attention and care it needs to keep people safe and comfortable inside. Since the parts of a building envelope take the most abuse from weather and other natural elements, infrared inspection services are often called to conduct an inspection. Here is a quick background on building envelopes.

Different Components, Same Goals

While there are three different components to a building envelope, they all have the same goals. Those goals include keeping cool or warm air inside, preventing water penetration, stopping air from entering in from the outside and drying out after rain to prevent mold and rotting. When any of these three components are compromised for any reason, thermal imaging services can be used to determine the severity of the damage. Sometimes property owners may not even realize the damage to the building envelope, so thermal imaging services can also be used to prevent disasters from occurring.

Challenges With Protecting Building Envelopes

You can’t completely protect a building envelope. Weather and natural disasters occur all the time, so the main thing you can do to protect a building envelope is to maintain it as much as possible, including preventative maintenance. Even if the building is in a climate where harsh weather doesn’t occur often, it is still exposed to sun, wind and rain at the very least. All of these elements could combine to wear on a building envelope over time, and thermographic scanning can help detect those areas that are worn down.

How Infrared Technology Benefits Building Envelopes

Due to the importance and function of a building envelope, it’s critical to conduct regular thermographic scanning through professional infrared inspection services. Some issues with the building envelope can’t be seen with the naked eye, but infrared technology can detect potentially serious issues before they become a big factor. Building owners may not be aware that moisture is present in the roof or in the walls. There may even be a slight air leak in those areas as well. Being aware of these issues before they become a large problem will help keep building envelopes healthy and stable for the long-term.

Infrared Consulting Services has over 30 years of experience dealing with and preventing issues related to building envelopes. Our experienced and certified thermographers will be able to identify issues before they become a big headache for your company. For more information on the importance of maintaining a building envelope, or to book your thermographic scanning appointment, be sure to contact us.

Infrared Consulting Services infrared detection technology

Are Infrared Windows the Thing of the Future?

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Anyone who deals with maintaining electrical systems has likely heard of infrared windows. However, since these windows aren’t widely used, some professionals don’t know much about them. As the world of infrared detection technology continues to evolve, the use of infrared windows is expected to become more popular. These windows allow thermographic imaging professionals to do their jobs more efficiently, accurately and also save businesses money on their inspections. Here are some of the main reasons why infrared windows may be the thing of the future.

How Infrared Windows Work

Most electrical components are covered by metal or another solid material. This presents a challenge for infrared inspection services, since they need a clear line of sight in order to effectively use their equipment. These covers are necessary from a business safety standpoint, but they also come with great risks to thermographers during the infrared scan.

Infrared windows are known as the solution to this problem. The thermographers will no longer have to spend time removing panels and covers and putting them back on afterward. The infrared window has either a plastic or metal frame and supports an infrared transmissive optic, with a cover to protect the optic when it’s not needed.

Placement of Infrared Windows

It’s important for all electrical enclosures to have an infrared window. When infrared inspection services come into a business to conduct a survey, they need to have access to all equipment. Having an infrared window installed on each of the enclosures will allow the thermographer to get the thermal images they need quickly so no time will be wasted. 

However, installing infrared windows isn’t cheap, and the cost can add up depending on how many electrical enclosures you have. If your business is forced to limit the amount of infrared windows you can install, choose the enclosures that are difficult to open, have different safety hazards and need frequent inspections.

Benefits of Infrared Windows to Businesses

It may seem like infrared windows are only beneficial to infrared thermographers. That is true from a functionality standpoint, but businesses can also benefit from them. If your entire shop or workplace has infrared windows on each electrical enclosure, you could reduce the time spent on your infrared inspection significantly.

One of the main reasons why a thermographic imaging inspection takes so long is because the thermographer has to remove covers in order to get a clear view of the equipment to inspect. The quicker the process takes, the more money a business saves. Plus, the accuracy is going to be much higher with each inspection since there are no obstructions with the infrared windows.

Infrared Consulting Services has over 30 years of experience in the industry and knows exactly how to help your business save time and money. Be sure to contact us to learn more about infrared windows and to set up an appointment for your infrared testing needs.

infrared thermography

Are Your Ovens, Kilns and Furnaces Leaking Heat?

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Heat waste is one of the biggest problems large companies face. Sometimes the leaking is so minimal it’s difficult to detect without the right equipment. Infrared thermography is essential in detecting heat loss coming from things like ovens, kilns and furnaces.This comes as a surprise to many companies, as some people think IR testing is mainly for moisture detection and electrical surveys. However, these surveys are incredibly accurate when detecting hot spots and even the tiniest leaks in equipment, potentially saving your organization tens of thousands of dollars annually.

This comes as a surprise to many companies, as some people think IR testing is mainly for moisture detection and electrical surveys. However, these surveys are incredibly accurate when detecting hot spots and even the tiniest leaks in equipment, potentially saving your organization tens of thousands of dollars annually.

How IR Testing Detects Leaking Heat

When an IR thermography survey is conducted, the infrared equipment detects temperature differences in machinery and systems that could indicate heat leaks, clogged lines or other issues. Detecting these leaks will not only save money, but depending on the severity of the leak, could also help prevent a costly shutdown. A small problem now could turn into a larger problem later on, so any type of heat leak must be addressed immediately.

The best part about thermographic scanning is that nearly all heat sources and machinery can be scanned at one time. This means production doesn’t have to be interrupted and the scanning process won’t take long.

 

The bottom line: Companies can save money and resources by using certified thermographers instead of their own maintenance personnel to detect individual heat leaks.

Potential Sources of Heat Loss

Any time your company conducts thermographic scanning, you’ll likely find some areas needing to be addressed. Patching up the faulty equipment is just as important as finding the sources of the heat loss. The heat leaks could be the result of an insulation breakdown, for example. So if you would patch only the small portion of the machine where the heat leak is coming from, you’d be overlooking a larger issue.

Heat loss can come from a variety of sources, including excessive gear or bearing temperatures, insulation issues, moisture buildup and more. Finding the source of the issue and fixing it is the best way to save costs and prevent further issues from developing.

Consequences of Leaked Heat

There are obvious cost consequences when your machinery is leaking heat. Ovens, kilns and furnaces produce heat at high temperatures, so even the slightest heat leak will cause the machines to work harder. The unnecessarily harder work means they are running less efficiently and wasting energy in the process.

A small heat leak could have a large trickle-down effect if not addressed promptly. The worst-case scenario is the furnace or oven breaks down completely, forcing your company to shut down a portion of the production process.

The importance of infrared thermography when looking for possible heat leaks can’t be overstated. Companies can’t afford to ignore signs of possible heat leaks, even if they seem minor when discovered.
If you’ve never conducted an IR test at your facility, now is the time. Don’t wait! Contact us to schedule an appointment.

IRTest infrared inspection services

How and Why to Utilize Infrared Technology With Your Construction Project

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Infrared technology isn’t a new technology by any means, but it is fairly new to the construction industry. Detecting gas leaks, moisture leaks, mold and structural integrity are all ways infrared thermography can be beneficial for construction. Every company has safety procedures and protocols to follow, but it’s nearly impossible to detect every minor issue. That’s where the help of infrared cameras comes in. Not only will a company save their own man-hours, but they will also help increase productivity and prevent a potential disaster from occurring.

Uses For Infrared Technology in Construction

Infrared inspection services can detect problems before they occur. The technology can look at machines, electrical components, faulty materials and even the actual foundation of the project once it’s set. When the infrared cameras detect a potential problem, it’s better to fix the issue right then rather than waiting until a larger problem occurs. Since one issue could lead to bigger problems with construction, infrared technology has saved some projects.

Prevent Maintenance and Potential Disasters

With an infrared electrical inspection, you can more easily identify an issue before it becomes a costly repair. This could range from the machinery being used to the actual wiring of the building being constructed. As far as the machinery goes, there’s nothing worse than working on a big project and having a machine break down. Infrared inspections can sometimes prevent that from happening if conducted in a timely manner.

Re-Evaluate Procedures and Protocols

When you undergo infrared thermography inspections, you may be surprised at the results. The inspections can help companies identify problems that may be systemic rather than just an isolated issue. Of course, you won’t be able to tell the difference unless you conduct multiple inspections consistently.

When you have these inspections completed, you can more easily re-evaluate your procedures and protocols and target the issue more directly. You may need to focus on the preparation of the machinery and other equipment before you even get started. Preventing breakdowns and keeping the production moving are the two things infrared inspection services provide to help keep your business booming.

Whether you’ve considered hiring a professional to do infrared testing with your construction project or not, be sure to get in touch with us to learn about your options. Many companies are surprised at the results of the testing, but are appreciative since they generally identify issues before they become problematic and costly.

Detect issues early with an infrared roof moisture survey.

What Happens During an Infrared Roof Moisture Survey?

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If you’re thinking about scheduling an infrared roof moisture survey for your company’s building, you’re making a good decision. A moisture inspection is considered preventive maintenance because it can point out potential problems before a major issue arises. Many business owners overlook the importance of preventive maintenance, but a moisture inspection is definitely not something to take lightly. You may be wondering exactly how the process works and what benefits you get from it. We’ve outlined the process so you’ll be confident when the work is being done.

The Process

An infrared roof moisture survey uses a diagnostic test tool to locate visible heat, which comes from moisture potentially leaking under the roof of your building. During the daytime, the heat from the sun warms the roof. At night, the heat radiates back into the atmosphere. If an area of your building’s roof is wet, it will have a higher mass and, as a result, will retain the heat for a longer duration.

Certified thermographers use their instruments to detect the differences in those dry and wet spots. When they come across wet spots, they can identify them as problem areas to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Recommended Corrective Actions

It’s better to do a roof-wide survey to identify potential problems rather than do a roof-wide repair when the problem has become too big to be corrected in individual spots. A team of certified thermographers will provide your company with results of the infrared moisture scan and recommend actions to be taken. You may only have some surface moisture, but you could also have moisture trapped deep in the roofing system to cause larger issues.

If you’ve waited too long to have a survey completed, you may not be happy with the recommendation you receive. However, if you schedule a survey periodically, chances are you’ll only have to do minor repairs on different parts of the roof.

When you’re looking for infrared inspection services for your business, contact us for more information. We can provide you with more in-depth information about your specific roof type and what we typically find when we perform roof moisture inspections. Once you understand the long-term benefits of scheduling a survey, you’ll quickly realize it’s worth the upfront cost to do it routinely.

Find problems with an electrical infrared survey.

Why Is an Electrical Infrared Survey Important?

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Find problems with an electrical infrared survey.

An electrical infrared survey helps you find problems.

Use infrared problem prevention to your advantage.

Infrared problem prevention is a necessity.

Working electrical equipment is highly important to every commercial facility. However, people often assume because their equipment is functional, there is no need to look into existing problems. In fact, functional equipment is often interpreted as a sign of a lack of problems. Unfortunately, this can be far from the truth. There are a number of reasons you should look into requesting an electrical infrared survey, which span from safety precautions to issues of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Electrical Testing Can Prevent Accidents and Safety Threats

Normally engineers build electrical equipment in such a way it only uses a specific amount of voltage power. When the equipment works as it should, it will only use that amount of power, no more and no less. However, when equipment begins to malfunction, the voltage it needs to operate properly and safely can dip below the required amount. This low voltage condition can cause damage to motors and equipment.

Electrical Testing Preserves Energy and Your Budget

Infrared problem prevention doesn’t stop with just protecting your and your staffs’ physical safety. When equipment uses more power than it should, you are also at risk of much higher utility bills than expected, which eats away at your budget and can actually be the first sign of a problem. It never hurts to be economical. In fact, taking measures to cut down on energy consumption helps not only your company’s costs, but its energy footprint. Businesses are rapidly trying to go “green,” which means cutting down on the amount of energy they use and thereby increasing their day-to-day efficiency. You can hire infrared inspection services to make sure you are running efficiently.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we make infrared inspection services our business and perform them for a wide variety of purposes. If you’re in need of an electrical inspection, we can provide that for you. We hire only the most qualified professionals, who will be able to help pinpoint any problem areas in your commercial facility and talk with you about the best solutions. For more information on what we do, contact us.

Identify problems early with an infrared moisture survey.

When Is the Best Time for a Roof Inspection?

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Find trouble spots with infrared inspection services.

Infrared inspection services can show you trouble spots.

Identify problems early with an infrared moisture survey.

An infrared moisture survey can identify problems early.

If you are a long-time property owner, you are probably well aware of the consequences that come with your commercial facility changing with age. Many issues gradually begin to crop up over time, some small and some piling into much larger issues requiring more attention and money than you ever imagined. You may be expecting this to unfold with your equipment more than anything else. However, the structure of your facility requires just as much attention and care as the machinery your commercial facility shelters.

This holds especially true for your facility’s roof, which much like the rest of your building’s structure, is highly vulnerable to the elements. Weather can chip away at your roof over time, leading to leaks and other forms of decay. An infrared roof moisture survey can help with the problem, but figuring out when you should seek out an inspection can be perplexing.

So When Should I Request a Roof Inspection?

There are, in fact, several conditions under which it is best to hire some form of infrared inspection services. They include:

  1. At three year intervals. This is a rule of thumb for the general well being of your roof and is one of the best methods for detecting problems early. Consider it part of your building’s maintenance, much like cleaning it and looking after your building’s equipment. If you make inspections part of your building’s routine, it will be much easier to catch any issues before they have the chance to unfold into something far worse and more costly for you and your business.
  2. As part of your building’s routine surface inspections. It never hurts to be as thorough as possible. There is no strict time limit for this because the time between inspections generally depends on the condition of your commercial property and the type of work performed there. We recommend you follow at least the above suggestion unless your surface inspections take place in shorter spans of time.
  3. Before the most severe seasonal weather arrives and again once it passes. The more severe the weather in your area is, the more damage your roof may take. This goes for heat and snow because both present their own detriments to roofing structures. Thermal issues, normally caused by the quick transition between summer heat and rain, and UV radiation can wreak havoc during summer. However, during winter, your roof becomes vulnerable to storms and the winter cold. It is best to make sure your roof is equipped to handle the weather, and once the seasons change, take care of any damage done.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we specialize in the performance and science of infrared thermography. We can help you maintain your roof’s health, as well as inform you of any developing issues you should look into. For more information on what we can do to help maintain your commercial property, contact us.

find issues with infrared inspection services.

Why an Infrared Roof Moisture Survey Is Important

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Problems always seem to occur where and when you least expect them. This holds true for every aspect of life, from your health to your relationships to your workplace. However, all too often we do nothing about a problem until it surfaces in ways we can’t help but notice. If you’ve ever dealt with a roof leak or any other roofing problem, you know the stress and effort involved in getting it repaired. However, there is a way to detect problems with your roof before they escalate: through an infrared roof moisture survey. You may not have heard of such an inspection procedure, but they are worth investing in for the well-being of your property and your peace of mind.

What is an Infrared Roof Moisture Survey?

It’s one of the most non-intrusive procedures you can use for a building inspection. Infrared roof moisture surveys evaluate the temperatures circulating throughout your facility and create a report based on these findings. If the insulation in your roofing is wet, it will pull in far more heat than it should, especially at night. A roof moisture survey will be able to pick up on this abnormal amount of heat, allowing inspectors to identify problem areas and to notify you of the sections that need the most attention.

Locate problems with the help of an infrared roof moisture survey.

An infrared roof moisture survey can help you locate problems.

Infrared Roof Moisture Surveys Are Cost-Effective

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. While a roof moisture survey may sound expensive, its cost will never compare to what you will have to pay to repair damages to your roofing. Roof moisture surveys are conducted in a safe, non-invasive manner. They give you the full scope of your roof’s condition so you can make the most informed decision about what needs to be done for your building’s maintenance. A professional thermography inspection will help lengthen the lifespan of your current roofing materials. I can also provide clues to any potential problems before they degrade any further.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Get a Roof Moisture Inspection?

If you don’t get a roof inspection performed on a regular basis, you risk having to replace your entire roof due to soggy insulation. Insulation that has become too wet can also lead to other problems besides a costly roof repair, such as:

  • Extra weight for your facility to support
  • Potential harm to the interior of your facility that can damage your equipment and even cause accidents for your employees
  • An increased rate of decay for your facility’s structural deck
  • Higher energy bills, leading to additional expenses
  • The growth of mold in your facility, which can spread in the air and create a breathing risk

At Infrared Consulting Services, we specialize in infrared inspection services. We would be happy to conduct an inspection on your property. We make it our business to detect potentially devastating structural issues in your place of business. Then help you tackle them in the most efficient manner possible. Contact us today for more information!

How Can An Infrared Roof Moisture Survey Keep Your Business Dry?

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Flat roofing systems often make it more difficult to detect moisture issues, which can have a negative effect on the rest of the structure. This makes getting an infrared roof moisture survey, using infrared thermography, a necessity before you replace the roof or even before you choose to purchase a building. Armed with this information, you will be able to choose whether you need to go through the expensive process of replacing this type of roof.

Identify areas of moisture with infrared thermography.

Infrared thermography shows areas of moisture.

What Happens to Your Roof?

Over time, the waterproofing layers installed on the roof can grow thin or may develop cracks that let moisture in. This can create a vast number of issues with the rest of your structure, many of which will be difficult to notice until the damage is extreme. Some of the issues these moisture leaks can cause include:

  • Interior damage to the building
  • Hazardous conditions for occupants
  • Mold growth
  • Corrosion of metal components
  • Degradation of the building
  • Added weight to the structure

Many of these issues may not be evident in their early stages, which makes infrared inspection services a necessity, especially before you purchase a building.

Infrared Thermography

When you get an infrared roof moisture survey, you will learn where moisture exists in a roof and whether the issue requires repairs or a full replacement of the roof. This non-invasive test uses infrared technology to measure the temperature of the roof to map it out thermally. Areas with higher temperatures are more likely to contain moisture than cooler spots. This is because higher density materials retain the heat from the sun for longer.

Identify Trouble Areas

The best part about using infrared thermography to inspect a flat commercial roof for damage is it can quickly and easily determine the exact locations of issues. Because a full roof replacement is such a costly job, it’s best for businesses to get repairs done first, if possible. Infrared inspection services can provide a clear map of where the problem areas lie and how large they are so roofing contractors can evaluate the condition of the roof and determine if repair is the best option. This ensures businesses don’t spend unnecessary funds on a replacement.

If you’re considering buying a commercial building with a flat roof or you already own one, an infrared roof moisture survey is an absolute necessity. These surveys will use the latest in infrared thermography to identify areas of the roof that may contain excess moisture that can lead to structural issues if not resolved. When you can clearly identify problem areas, you will be able to make the right decision regarding whether a replacement is necessary or a repair will provide the changes needed to protect the structure of your building.

If you’re interested in infrared inspection services, contact us. Our experienced team of professionals can inspect your roof and supply a thorough report to help you make the right decisions.