Moisture Mapping

Advantages of 3rd-party Documentation of Water Damaged Buildings

Thermal imaging is a highly efficient way to locate and visually document water damaged building materials after a structure has experienced a water-loss (e.g. pipe break, flood, etc.). This is often referred to as 'moisture mapping.'

IAQ Diagnostics is an industry leader for providing 3rd-party consulting services on large water-losses. Most commonly, these types of losses are caused by multi-story pipe breaks, but can also include storm damage, and other flooding issues.

3rd-party consultants benefit the building owner, insurance company, and the restoration contractor. The building owner benefits by having a professional who specializes in identifying and documenting water damaged building materials and areas of hidden moisture. The insurance company receives protection against an overzealous restoration contractor. The restoration contractor also reduces their liability by having a 3rd-party identify the impacted building materials.

A secondary benefit can be obtained by all parties by having a Post-Mitigation Moisture Assessment performed after the drying process is complete. During the post-assessment, IAQ Diagnostics will document materials that have been removed or properly dried. Additionally, residual areas of moisture (if any) will be identified. If no issues are found, IAQ Diagnostics will provide the building owner and insurance company a detailed closure report (including before-and-after photos of the impacted areas) stating the building has been completely and properly dried.

Our Thermal Imaging Camera - FLUKE IR-Fusion

IAQ Diagnostics uses a Fluke IR-Fusion thermal imaging camera on applicable projects. The IR-Fusion offers the following advantages over many other thermal imaging cameras:

Multiple View Modes (Fusion)

Picture-in-picture: infrared imaging overlaid onto a digital picture. This more clearly depicts the area in question.
Full infrared: useful when working in low light environments (can take infrared images in pitch black) or when looking for small temperature differences (more detail on larger screen)
Alpha blending: reduce or increase the ratio between the digital picture and infrared picture. Allows us to enhance the detail shown on each picture
Alarm mode: for viewing temperatures within a specific maximum and minimum range (ex. set the min. range to the dew point temperature for finding areas of condensation)
Full Visible Light: beneficial in taking visual pictures

See below for examples of thermal imaging pictures using our Fluke IR-Fusion infrared camera

Thermal Imaging Gallery

Moisture Intrusion

The picture above was taken in a home that sustained water damage while having the roof repaired. The photo depicts areas of moisture through the kitchen ceiling.

Water Damage

Moisture Intrusion

Areas of hidden moisture were found behind vinyl baseboards. The picture above was taken for documentation after the baseboard was removed to dry the area.

Building Performance

The picture above was taken during the winter and shows an area of heat ex-filtration caused by an air gap between the elevated enclosed bridge and the exterior brick .

Building Performance

The picture above was taken during the summer and illustrates an area of heat infiltration through a crack in an exterior wall.