Environmental
Infrared imaging can locate liquids and excess moisture in walls, concrete, cinder block, insulation, drywall, roofs, carpet, ceiling tiles, wood etc. Almost anything that can retain moisture can be seen retaining that moisture with an infrared camera. This is because moisture has a huge effect on the thermodynamics of the object it is being stored in. Moisture is an excellent conductor of temperature and it has a very good storage capacity. For example, if you have a wall with moist insulation inside and the sun is hitting this wall, the water or moisture in the wall will collect the sun's radiation and will store it in the form of warmth when compared to the surrounding insulation.
The same applies at night, when the wall is cold the wet areas will appear
colder than the surrounding dry areas. The evaporation of moisture, even in
minute quantities also causes cooling, which gives it a different thermal
signature than the surrounding area. The same effect can be felt when you sweat.
The evaporation of sweat cools and helps to lower the temperature of your skin.
Infrared imaging can also be used as a very effective tool in the cleanup of
spills. A spill of any type can quickly be defined and isolated, allowing for a
more rapid and efficient cleanup of contaminated areas.
Another area where a Thermography Program can save you money is through the early detection of roof leaks. An infrared camera can see water trapped in a roof membrane prior to infiltration into the building. This early detection can save thousands of dollars in repairs or entire roof replacements which can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. By being able to pinpoint only those areas of a roof which are damaged and retaining water, repairs can be directed to the needed areas only.
Mold and Mildew spores have been attributed to numerous health problems and locating their source can a very expensive and time consuming process. However because mold and mildew are usually dependent on moisture and since they are comprised by a large amount of moisture, seeing them with an infrared camera before they have become dense enough to see with the naked eye is fairly easy, allowing for their removal before they cause health concerns.
