Condominium Association Best Practices Part 2

Moisture Intrusion (a fancy way to say something is leaking!) is one of many reasons why scheduling an annual infrared scan of your condominium should be on your list of Best Practices.
Another reason to schedule a commercial infrared scan of your condominium is to ensure that the walls themselves are structurally sound. After all, once the outside walls have been stuccoed or veneered and the inside walls have drywall, how can you "see" if there is a problem?

Commercial Infrared: Condominiums with Concrete Block Walls

Concrete block walls are not structurally sound without proper rebar and grouting. Grouting is concrete that is pumped into the center of the blocks; this ties the blocks, the rebar, and the entire wall system together. Without proper grouting, concrete walls are dangerous. Another issue is that if the cells of the concrete blocks don't have enough grout, they can collect water. Over time, these "water pools" can lead to moisture intrusion, corrosion of the reinforcement rods, and other structural issues in the condominium building. In the past, the only way to see if the block walls had been grouted and sealed correctly was to randomly drill or hammer holes into the concrete wall. This very small sample size wasn't very efficient - it couldn't show that major issues with grouting or missing rebar existed just a few feet away from the intrusive sample hole! Infrared Thermography is the best practice for making sure grout has been correctly placed in a block wall. It is non-destructive, inexpensive and accurate - and best of all - covers the entire surface, not just a few randomly placed holes.

Why an Infrared Scan Can Reduce Liability for Condominium Developers, Buildings, and Owners

1. A documented record exists of the structure.
2. Any areas that need repair are easy to pinpoint and remediated. Extensive and unnecessary repairs are avoided.
3. A follow-up scan verifies requested repairs.
4. Being able to prove the wall and structural components were sound upon delivery reduces liability in the case of failure due to extenuating circumstances.

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!