Finding Hidden Construction Defects

Constructions defects can be challenging because once the drywall is up and the brand new paint is on, you simply can't see them. They may be hidden behind or inside of walls or flooring.

Looks good from the outside,
but the inside shows missing grout.

It is not uncommon for a thermal imaging scan to find missing insulation in the walls - or missing or improperly installed insulation around plumbing lines or pipes. Missing insulation can lead to obvious issues like higher energy bills but in some areas, it can result in physical damage because water in pipes or plumbing lines can freeze.

Would you know this much
insulation was simply - missing?

Water from plumbing leaks can migrate much further than anticipated, which means that initial remediation efforts may not be adequate. Another issue involving water lines are defects in valves or connections. Again, you can't "see" these issues with the naked eye until water damage or mold overgrowth occurs. Infrared imaging can detect missing insulation by identifying temperature fluctuations. Plumbing and other leaks can be identified by a thermal scan, but more importantly, can be traced both to the source and to the end of the intrusion.

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

How Much Will it Cost to Repair the Roof of My Building?

One of the most popular posts I've ever written was about the cost of  damage to commercial roofs. Just because a roof LOOKS sound, doesn't mean that it is. Remember - what you can't see...CAN hurt you. In other words:

A Million Square Feet of Roof Equals 

Massive Opportunity for Damage

Representing an investment that can run into the millions of dollars, commercial buildings and their contents are a valuable asset that must be protected (and no, I'm not talking about insurance although you need that too)!

Commercial roofing systems protect the integrity of the building as well as the assets within. It is imperative that your commercial roof is both weather tight and energy efficient. Any compromise could result in excessive heating and cooling costs, property damage, and production loss. Of course, when you stand outside and look up, everything looks ok, right? So how do you know if the integrity of your commercial roofing system is intact?

Infrared thermography is still one of the most effective non-intrusive test methods to determine if moisture intrusion is happening (BEFORE you can actually see the damage) and if you are losing heat or cooled air. In fact, regular infrared roof scans can increase the lifespan of your commercial roof by as much as 300%!

Infrared thermography not only detects and verifies moisture infiltration, but it can also "see" and tracking moisture migration paths. Using infrared thermography can detect stone veneer, stucco, brick or other siding construction defects and it can be a valuable tool to reduce remediation costs by identifying the source of the issue. 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

Climate Change? Cool and Wet in South

According to the National Climatic Data Center, North and South Carolina have had a cooler and wetter spring than normal. With the increased dampness, mildew can grow within the walls of your commercial building, eventually resulting in the dreaded black mold.

Second, if you have or have had any type of water leaks or moisture seepage, the insulation may be wet. Wet insulation has almost no insulating value at all. Unfortunately in both cases, the problem may not be visible until an enormous amount of damage is already done.

Wet insulation causes massive heat loss

Thermal imaging services can accurately identify weak areas inside a building envelope. Using infrared thermal imaging, we can accurately determine the areas where insulation is insufficient, areas where there are water penetration problems, and air leakage through the building envelope.

Commercial building thermography is non-invasive and cost-efficient. The larger your building, the greater your potential savings.

When was the last time you checked what was going on behind the walls? Want more information? Call me at 803-328-2889 or drop me an email!

We believe so strongly in using Infrared Thermal Imaging for your Predictive Maintenance, that we created a Discount Membership for our repeat customers. Learn more about it here: http://www.irinfraredservices.com/PremierMember.html

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

Buying an Infrared Camera

So you've been reading my blog for years (indulge me). And I've finally convinced you of the importance of infrared thermal scanning for predictive and preventative maintenance, energy efficiency scans, and roof scans. You are ready to go buy your own infrared camera and do it all yourself.

While that is certainly possible, I don't recommend it (and not just because that's what I do for a living)! Using a certified thermographer, whether it's IR Infrared Services or another infrared services company, is a better choice. Why?

First, a thermographer will have professional level equipment that generally will produce higher and better quality scans. It's his or her job to have the best equipment available. A high quality (and expensive) infrared camera like those used by professionals means a lower probability of missing or misinterpreting a fault. The cheaper infrared cameras on the market are best used for spot checks - not building envelope or roof scans.

The sophisticated level of technology and the value of use makes infrared cameras expensive. One really must look at the economics of purchasing an IR camera. There is a lot of economic merit in using an experienced, qualified full time thermographer, delivering a quality service with good equipment at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a camera to be used occasionally by relatively inexperienced operators.

Last, you can't underestimate the value of experience and knowledge. A certified thermographer has been trained to properly read and interpret the results from the infrared scan and has gone through many hours of ongoing training and certification. Why would you trust the safety of your building, electrical equipment, or roof integrity to anyone but a certified infrared thermographer?

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!