Condominium Associations Best Practices: Part I

If you are part of a Condominium Association Board, you have many maintenance and upkeep decisions to make. Unfortunately, some associations wait too long before doing more than the usual maintenance and upkeep and end up with severe issues that must be addressed - resulting in major increases in association fees and unhappy condo owners. Infrared scans are affordable and non-invasive. They give you the knowledge you need to schedule effective maintenance programs, may save you thousands of dollars in avoiding unnecessary roof replacements, and can serve as a selling point. How can an infrared scan on your condominium accomplish this? I'm glad you asked(you did, didn't you?)!

Condominium Leaks: Moisture Detection

Moisture penetration is a common problem seen in many condominiums. Unfortunately, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where the leak is coming from - especially in a building with multiple units. It could be a roof leak, improperly sealed windows, plumbing issues, exteriors walls (improperly installed or missing flashings), the HVAC system, or (most frustrating of all - it may not be coming from anywhere near the condominium unit where the moisture actually appears.)

What is an Infrared Moisture Scan?

An infrared moisture scan detects even minor temperature changes. Areas that are wet (even if they appear dry to the naked eye) have different temperatures than surrounding dry areas. This allows the commercial infrared thermographer to "see" where the moisture incursion started, the path of the water, and how far it has penetrated.

Advantages of Condominium Building Infrared Scans

1. An infrared scan covers a larger area and is much faster than conventional moisture meters, which can give off false positives.
2. An infrared image shows how extensive the water leak is and where it started.
3. An infrared camera can easily be used to target high ceilings, so you do not need extra ladders and scaffolding.
4. For legal purposes, you can print and use Infrared images to prove presence and extent of the moisture.
5. Since an Infrared scans pinpoints the areas that need repair, precise repairs can be made, lowering both the cost and the inconvenience.

Using an Infrared Scan to Sell Condominiums

Providing an infrared scan can prove to the buyer or occupant that the structure was moisture free upon transfer of ownership or occupancy. The new owner can be assured that the condominium is free of any structural defects or unseen mold issues due to hidden or excessive moisture. While researching this topic, I came across these pictures of condominiums where infrared clearly showed extensive moisture penetration. One of them shows a roof drain leak that actually showed up two floors below the actual source of the leak! If your Condominium Association doesn't schedule an affordable annual infrared scan, perhaps you should ask why!

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!