What's Going On Behind YOUR Walls?

Hmmmm...all references to Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart aside, what really IS behind your drywall? How do you know that your concrete masonry walls are properly reinforced using concrete grouting and rebar?

Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) or 'block' walls are everywhere - in buildings of every kind, size, and shape. After the CMU wall is built, it can be painted or it might get a brick facing or a stucco finish. It's almost impossible to see any structural integrity issues at this point!

In the past, the only way a building owner could tell if quality work was done was to drill or hammer holes into the concrete wall. Of course, this only gives you a small sample size - which means you could have massive structural integrity issues only a few feet away from the hole! The most popular way to make sure that grouting and rebar in place is to require the builders to install inspections port, cut into the block faces. This is a very costly, time-consuming and sloppy method.

Of course with infrared thermography, we now have an easy way to find structural deficiencies in either the components (like the concrete blocks, grouting, and rebar) or in the building's thermal envelope. Make sure your building is safe and efficient!

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

Using Infrared Thermography Surveys to Scan Your Roof Finds Areas of Damage

Infrared roof scans and surveys are all performed following ASTM guidelines for locating wet roof insulation.

So How Do Roof Surveys Work?

Roof Scans are usually scheduled 2-3 hours after sunset. This is because the sun radiates energy (heat) onto the roof and roof substrate during the day. After sunset, as it starts to cool, the roof radiates the heat back into the atmosphere. This process is called radiational cooling and it is what makes roof surveys using thermography possible.

The areas of the roof that are wet retain heat longer than dry areas. Infrared imagers can “see” these areas. In addition to detecting areas of damage that lead to roof leaks, it’s also the perfect time to conduct heat loss and other infrared services!

The reports provided from a Roof Scan Infrared survey give your roofing professionals the information they need to recommend cost-effective removal and replacement of the wet areas – extending the life of your roof!

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/thermalimageguy

ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes

When a builder says his homes are Energy Star Qualified, what does that mean? Curious about the requirements?

Here's a quick downloadable file that contains the requirements for the ENERGY STAR Builder Option Package (BOP). A home must meet the specified requirements, and be field-tested
in accordance with the HERS Standards by a RESNET-accredited Provider. More information can be found at www.energystar.gov/homes or we'd be happy to assist!

IR 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.

What Issues Can Be Found With Thermography?

I'm often asked why I think thermography is so effective. What makes it better than a normal inspection?

All components within a building generate infrared radiation. This heat is invisible to the human eye and can only be detected by infrared thermography. Infrared Thermography can be used to locate a number of issues related to buildings ranging from energy loss to leaks in flat roofs and damp location surveys.

The camera observes the infrared signals and displays the image electronically on a LCD screen. Professional Thermographers can diagnose which elements are generating heat or losing heat and advise on remedial action.

The following list details some of the types of surveys we routinely carry out:

Location of leaks on flat roofs
Identification of water leaks or damp
Assessment of energy loss from buildings
Identify faults or leaks in underfloor heating systems
Location of pipes in floors or walls
Survey and inspect underfloor heating systems
Identify insulation defects in walls
Locate drafts or air infiltration in buildings
Check window or door seal integrity
Check cold store insulation and air integrity

Common Home Problems - Can They Be Solved with a Home Energy Audit?

In today's shifting economy, making sure your home is functioning in an energy-efficient way can have a big impact on your energy bills. Did you know that if you have one or more the following problems, a home energy audit can identify the issue and recommend how to fix it?

High Energy Bills
High utility bills in summer and winter can often be traced to air leaks in your home's envelope, inefficient windows or inefficient or incorrectly installed heating and cooling equipment, or poorly sealed and insulated ducts.
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors
Water leaks or high humidity can lead to mold and mildew. This can cause wood rot, structural damage, peeling paint, and a variety of health problems. Often, high humidity in homes with central air conditioners can be traced to improperly sized or installed air conditioners.
Damp Basement
A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through the foundation. As this moisture evaporates, it increases indoor humidity and can promote the growth of mold — resulting in an uncomfortable house.
Cold Floors in Winter
Some types of floor coverings (such as wood, stone, tile, or concrete) will naturally feel cold on bare feet. However, insufficient insulation or air infiltration can also cause cold floors.
Drafty Rooms
Cold air coming into or going out of your house, especially through leaks hidden in the attic and basement, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable.
Dust
Increased dust could be a sign that it is time to change your air filter or that your ductwork is not well sealed.
Moisture on Windows
Inefficient windows or high indoor moisture levels from air leaks can result in condensation, frost, or pools of water on windows and sills.
Ice Dams
Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt and refreeze as it runs off your roof — forming icicles and ice dams.
Peeling Paint
Peeling or cracking paint on your home's exterior may be a sign of a humidity problem or improper paint application.
Hot or Cold Rooms
Significant differences in temperature from one room to another could be caused by several factors, including inadequate insulation, air leakage, poor duct performance, and improperly installed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Dry Indoor Air in Winter
Air leaks in your home allow warm humid air to escape and draw in drier colder air.