Infrared Roof Scans

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Infrared Services for Radiant Heat Systems

What happened to spring? It feels like we skipped right through spring this year and into summer. Bookmark this series as a helpful reminder on construction defects that can be detected when it gets cold!

This series discusses forensic use of infrared thermography to detect construction defects. So far we've talked about roof ventilation, ice damming, and Roof Ice Melt Systems.

Here is the third of those ten:

In-Floor Radiant Heat Systems can heat both inside and outside floors or slabs. There is just nothing greater than hopping out of bed on a cold winter day onto a floor that is gently producing heat to warm your house. It's cost-effective and efficient. Outside - well, what is not to love about not having to shovel snow or worry about ice build-up?

But what if something goes wrong? How can you tell where breaks or line ruptures are if they are covered by flooring? Or what if improper line placement or incorrect operating temperatures just start to melt the snow but the inconsistency due to line failure causes ice build-up?

If you are using in-floor radiant heat systems, it is vitally important that you use infrared thermal imaging BEFORE the concrete is poured to make sure everything is working correctly. Once the concrete is poured, correction of any defects can be labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.

Of course, if you have problems long afterward the system is installed, an infrared camera can pinpoint the exact location of the malfunction. Save yourself time and money by using infrared services for radiant heat systems both during the installation process and if you run into any issues.

Interested in learning more? Call me at 803-328-2889 and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!

*Ideas for this blog entry derived from:
Infrared Applications in the Fields of Forensic & Construction Defect Engineering, Fronapfel, E.L. & Amhaus, E.G., InfraMation 2003, ITC 092 A 2003-08-15

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Infrared Imaging Detects Construction Defects

When I started this series, the heater was on and threats of snow flurries. Barely three weeks later, and it's almost 80 degrees outside! So, try to stay cool as I discuss roof ice!

This series discusses forensic use of infrared thermography to detect construction defects. We started off discussing 10 Ways to Use Infrared Imaging to Detect Construction Defects. Here is the second of those ten:

Roof Ice Melt Systems help control ice damming. Since many roofs have areas where the sun doesn't reach, they sit in shade and remain colder than other areas of the roof. As we have seen, ice damming can be dangerous.

Many ice melt systems are woven across the roof using either heat tapes or cable systems. Other systems use a metal rim plate cover along the eave and valley of the roof to conduct the heat, providing a consistent warming area.

Infrared thermography evaluates deficient conditions in roof ice melt systems by finding dead spots, and insufficient coverage areas. It can "see" whether the operating temperatures are operating correctly and evenly - not just on the roof itself, but also gutters and rainspouts.

You don't have to wait until a snow falls to make sure your system is operating correctly. In fact, checking BEFORE snow falls and you experience a problem can ensure your peace of mind that your building will be safe, secure, and dry during the winter season.

Interested in learning more? Call me at 803-328-2889 and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!

*Ideas for this blog entry derived from:
Infrared Applications in the Fields of Forensic & Construction Defect Engineering, Fronapfel, E.L. & Amhaus, E.G., InfraMation 2003, ITC 092 A 2003-08-15

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Infrared Scanning: Roof Ventilation and Ice Damming

This series discusses forensic use of infrared thermography to detect construction defects. We started off discussing 10 Ways to Use Infrared Imaging to Detect Construction Defects. Here is the first of those ten:

Ice Damming is when snow or ice collects at upper roof sections, melts and flows to cold eave sections and then re-freezes. It damages both the inside and outside of buildings and can become a safety issue.

Many construction companies use "cold roof design" to prevent or reduce ice dams. A cold roof design provides consistent cross-flow ventilation, resulting in temperature equilibrium. By maintaining a roof temperature that is closure to the outside ambient air temperature, ice damming is significantly reduced because "hot spots" are reduced.

Infrared thermography evaluates deficient conditions in cold roof construction. Measuring changes in temperature can indicate where repairs needs to be made or where construction has been faulty, perhaps due to missing metal rim plates or defects in the ice and water protection membrane of the roof.

Interested in learning more? Call me at 803-328-2889 and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!


*Ideas for this blog entry derived from:
Infrared Applications in the Fields of Forensic & Construction Defect Engineering, Fronapfel, E.L. & Amhaus, E.G., InfraMation 2003, ITC 092 A 2003-08-15

Thursday, March 8, 2012

10 Ways to Use Infrared Imaging to Detect Construction Defects

Infrared thermography is becoming a tool used to detect construction defects. After all, once a building is built, until something goes wrong, how can you "see" any potentially devastating construction problems? The next several series in this blog will discuss each of the following examples in detail. Be sure to bookmark me so you don't miss anything!

So, without further ado, here are 10 ways infrared imaging can detect construction problems in new buildings*:

1. Cold Roof Ventilation & Ice Damming
2. Roof Ice Melt Systems
3. In-Floor Radiant Heat Systems
4. Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems, and Stucco damage
5. Stone Veneer moisture infiltration
6. Installation issues with Plaza Decks and Balconies resulting in water entry and leaking
7. Weather tight integrity and energy efficiency of commercial roof structures
8. Foundation Clearance from soil and concrete
9. Inadequate insulation and plumbing breaks
10. Moisture Intrusion through windows and walls


Interested in learning more? Call me at 803-328-2889 and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!


*Ideas for this blog entry derived from:
Infrared Applications in the Fields of Forensic & Construction Defect Engineering, Fronapfel, E.L. & Amhaus, E.G., InfraMation 2003, ITC 092 A 2003-08-15