Common Issues Found in Infrared Leak Detection Surveys

Introduction to Infrared Technology

Infrared technology uses infrared radiation to detect heat patterns and temperature differences. Specialized thermal imaging cameras can visualize these patterns and temperature variations across building surfaces and components such as roofs, walls, windows, and pipes.

Infrared cameras work by detecting the infrared radiation emitted from an object. All objects above absolute zero temperature (-273°C) emit infrared radiation from their surface. The amount of radiation depends on the object’s temperature – the hotter the thing, the more radiation is emitted. Infrared cameras produce images based on the differences in infrared radiation, allowing us to see variations in heat.

Common Issues Infrared Leak Detection Surveys Find

It should come as no surprise infrared technology can identify more than just leaks. Here are the top issues found by infrared surveys:

Leaks

Obviously, one of the primary uses of infrared surveys is to identify water leaks in roofs and plumbing systems. When water leaks, it changes the temperature profile across building materials. Infrared cameras can detect these temperature differences and pinpoint the exact location of moisture intrusion.

During a leak survey, a thermographer will scan the building envelope, including the roof, walls, windows, and foundations. Temperature variations reveal leakage areas, which can be further assessed and repaired before further damage occurs.

Moisture Intrusion

Infrared leak detection cameras can identify areas of moisture intrusion, even in hidden or hard-to-reach areas. When water penetrates building materials, evaporation causes cooling. Infrared images clearly show these cool areas, allowing identification of moisture before visible signs appear.

Common areas where moisture intrusion occurs include roof assemblies, below-grade walls and foundations, around windows and doors, and in plumbing systems. Early detection with infrared allows preventative maintenance and repairs before mold takes hold or structural issues emerge.

Insulation Issues

Proper insulation in walls, attics, and roof assemblies is crucial for energy efficiency. Infrared imaging can identify missing, damaged, or improperly installed insulation areas. These defects show up as hot or cold spots on thermographic images.

Infrared testing is faster and more accurate than manual inspection to find insulation gaps. Scanning the building envelope can identify and document problem areas for repair to improve thermal performance.

Blocked or Damaged Drainage

Proper drainage prevents roof water ponding, leading to deterioration and leakage over time. However, infrared imaging is an effective tool for identifying problem areas with blocked or damaged drainage.

Blocked drains or gutters lead to water pooling, which accelerates local cooling. These cool spots appear on infrared surveys, allowing identification and repair of drainage issues before significant damage is caused.

Roof Membrane Damage

Infrared leak detection surveys locate underlying moisture or defects in the waterproof roof membrane. When defects allow water intrusion, temperature differences become visible on the roof surface due to evaporative cooling.

Damaged areas appear cooler than intact sections of the roof membrane. Infrared scanning can cover the entire roof quickly to identify compromised areas before leaks form. This allows preventative maintenance to restore membrane integrity.

Looking to get more in-depth with your roof inspections? Take a look at this article and read more about how commercial roof inspections maximize your roof’s longevity.

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Benefits of Infrared Leak Detection Surveys

There are benefits that span beyond identifying vulnerabilities in your roof when you perform infrared surveys. Here are some of the positive side effects:

Cost Effective

Infrared leak detection surveys are a cost-effective way to identify potential issues before they become more prominent, more expensive problems. Some key cost benefits include:

Early identification of moisture and leaks – Finding small leaks early allows for lower-cost repairs before water damage spreads or mold develops, avoiding costly reconstruction.
Prioritization of maintenance and repairs – Infrared imaging allows facility managers to pinpoint the most urgent issues and prioritize maintenance budgets effectively.
Prevention of equipment failure – Catching electrical issues, insulation failures, or overheating in equipment prevents catastrophic failures that are expensive to repair.

In essence, the relatively low cost of an infrared imaging survey provides substantial cost savings by identifying problems at the earliest possible stage. Preventative maintenance is much more affordable than reactive maintenance after significant damage occurs.

Longevity of Assets

Infrared leak detection surveys support the longevity of building assets and equipment in several ways:

Roofs – Infrared can detect subsurface water intrusion and membrane failure in roofs that would otherwise lead to leaks, mold, rot, and the need for total replacement.
Electrical – Finding hot spots and issues in electrical systems prevents fires, equipment damage, or power outages.
HVAC and mechanical – Detecting heat loss and subtle temperature differences helps optimize efficiency and prevent breakdowns.

By extending the usable lifetime of critical assets like roofs and HVAC systems, infrared imaging reduces facility costs and the high capital expenses of replacements. Proactively maintaining assets through condition monitoring is much more effective than run-to-failure practices.

Time-Saving

Infrared surveys save substantial time compared to traditional leak inspections or audits in a few key ways:

Rapid entire-building scans – Infrared cameras can quickly scan large areas like roofs to cover more ground than slow physical inspections.
Direct pinpointing of issues – Temperature data guides the technician directly to anomalies instead of tedious searches for the source.
Fewer invasive inspections – Catching moisture intrusion behind walls early reduces the need to cut holes unnecessarily while searching for issues.

Facility managers have seen time savings of 50% or more on leak detection and preventative maintenance practices when using infrared. The total cost of the survey is also lowered with the time efficiency benefit factored in.

Catch Issues Early

As an essential preventative maintenance tool, infrared leak detection cameras excel at catching minor issues long before they become big, visible problems, including:

Moisture intrusion and minor leaks – Identifying water ingress early is crucial to prevent mold growth or expansive rotting and water damage.
Failing roof membranes – Invisible subsurface failures can progress to catastrophic roof leaks if not detected early.
Insulation gaps – Missing or settling typically hidden insulation can contribute to unnecessary energy costs.
Electrical hot spots – If unresolved, minor electrical issues will degrade to arcing, fires, or equipment failures.

In essence, infrared imaging serves as an early warning system for problems that would otherwise go unnoticed until critical, costly failure occurs.

Protect Your Roof With Infrared Leak Detection From Roof Consulting Services

If you have been looking for a cost-effective way to prevent costly damage to your roof from breaking the bank, turn to Roof Consulting Services. Our state-of-the-art infrared equipment can identify and pinpoint what kind of leak you have and where for a speedy remedy. Don’t wait for a roof failure, contact us today for a consultation.