Is Water Leaking Into Your Building?

One of the most troubling aspects of construction defects is that they are not often detected until well after the fact...it can take years for the damage to show up in a way that is visible. For example, one condominium building didn't experience problems for several years until leaks started to show up throughout the building. One of the condos replaced interior drywall several times before the source of problem was finally identified!

What was the problem? The contractor had not installed proper flashings. This could have been quickly and inexpensively identified using a certified thermographer to conduct thermal scans of the building.

Plaza decks and balconies can also be sources for water entry when flashings aren't properly installed (or aren't installed at all). Water can leak into occupied spaces or into structural components. Improperly installed or blocked perimeter or internal drainage systems can be the source of moisture intrusion, leading to massive mold overgrowth and structural rot. Since all of these areas aren't visible, how do you know where the problem is?

One way is to demolish the stucco to figure out where the damage is, and how far it goes back. Of course, this just shows water, mold, and rotting wood damage - but not the source. Do you really want to go to that expense? Or roll the dice and hope you figure out the source before you've ripped into too much of the building? A better idea is to choose a certified thermographer to scan your building and find any issues - before they become expensive problems.

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 our website or follow us on Twitter:  We are proud to offer the very best infrared 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