|
Moisture MappingThermal Image gathering and analysis
Moisture Mapping entire building Post dry out verification Water Intrusion Analysys |
Moisture Detection and Moisture Mapping
The ideal goal of moisture detection is to identify and then assess map and wet locations of buildings. We then assess their materials so that the drying process can be measured, documented and carried out effectively and in an economical and efficient manner. The building investigation should establish the source and extent of the moisture damage that has occurred as well as a base level moisture content.
Excess moisture and humidity left within a building environment or its structural elements is the cause of damage to structural materials such as rot, mold growth, reduced insulation values, failure of flooring, roofing and wall support.
While carrying out the building examination and remedial process effectively , it is first important to have knowledge of the building construction components and materials. It is also important to know the internationally recognized standards and reference guides/codes for water damage restoration.
Using infrared moisture meters and cameras, it is necessary during the inspection of a household or business to establish which materials have become infected. we can generally find which materials are wet and which are not wet using infrared, and trace the leak back to its original location. Determining the point of entry, identifying and mapping the infected area will allow for focused treatment. As soon as the location is measured, ongoing monitoring then helps ensure the materials are drying properly and no further damage will occur.
Excess moisture and humidity left within a building environment or its structural elements is the cause of damage to structural materials such as rot, mold growth, reduced insulation values, failure of flooring, roofing and wall support.
While carrying out the building examination and remedial process effectively , it is first important to have knowledge of the building construction components and materials. It is also important to know the internationally recognized standards and reference guides/codes for water damage restoration.
Using infrared moisture meters and cameras, it is necessary during the inspection of a household or business to establish which materials have become infected. we can generally find which materials are wet and which are not wet using infrared, and trace the leak back to its original location. Determining the point of entry, identifying and mapping the infected area will allow for focused treatment. As soon as the location is measured, ongoing monitoring then helps ensure the materials are drying properly and no further damage will occur.
Moisture Movement
The starting process of moister movement and analysis is to have a restorative drying professional identify and solve the water intrusion problem. This is to prevent additional water intrusion or future damage to the structure and its components. The source of the water can vary from failures in building defects, to fixtures or plumbing, weather events, or condensation, flooding, and/or leaky roofs. Understanding the concepts of moisture movement in the building materials and their surrounding environment is then crucial to increasing the quality of the work. Moisture movement occurs in essentially four ways.
Understanding the movement of moisture through the building materials in question, be they solid or engineered wood, drywall, insulation, masonry, roofing materials, concrete or behind hard surfaces, allows for better management of the drying process.
- Air movement: Air movement plays a significant role in the development of mold. When air is moving across a surface of a material containing moisture, less dry air will accommodate evaporation. Air movement will also create a suction effect, helping pull liquid moisture from porous materials.
- Water Detection: Pressure, Velocity, and gravity are the major components in determining the movement of moisture through building.
- Vapor diffusion: Moist vapor always moves from a wet area to dry location. Most building materials will absorb and retain moisture until they attain vapor equilibrium with the environment thus creating mold.
- Capillary action: This is the ability of liquid to migrate upwards against the force of gravity. this is caused by inter-molecular attractive forces between the liquid and the surrounding solid materials.
Understanding the movement of moisture through the building materials in question, be they solid or engineered wood, drywall, insulation, masonry, roofing materials, concrete or behind hard surfaces, allows for better management of the drying process.
Moisture Mapping
Moisture maps are photographs or drawings of affected surfaces with a superimposed grid and corresponding moisture levels for the structural materials in each location. Moisture mapping is a very useful method of identifying the location and size of the affected areas and the corresponding moisture content values for these affected areas, as compared to the ‘dry standard’ of a non-affected area. They allow the user to clearly visualize the water migration and delineate the dry areas from the wet areas, and the varying degrees of moisture quantity within that wet area. The restorative drying professional can clearly record each reading for each segment of the affected area, and record repeated readings for the exact same grid segments, throughout the drying process. The maps will be included in the moisture map report, along with the thermal imaging documentation, serving as an accessible communication tool between the professional and client, greatly facilitating communications among trades, insurance companies, adjusters, attorneys and other professionals and also serving as invaluable data in cases involving controversy. They are also a means of archiving vital information for reference in future building diagnostic projects.
Infrared cameras, thermo hygrometers, moisture meters and moisture mapping provide the restorative drying professional with vital information so that the drying efforts can be concentrated on the most affected areas and the drying process efficiently managed. The combined use of these instruments and techniques provides a fast and professional way to depict, document and assess the moisture conditions throughout the drying process, from the first to the final inspection, when the drying goal is achieved.
Infrared cameras, thermo hygrometers, moisture meters and moisture mapping provide the restorative drying professional with vital information so that the drying efforts can be concentrated on the most affected areas and the drying process efficiently managed. The combined use of these instruments and techniques provides a fast and professional way to depict, document and assess the moisture conditions throughout the drying process, from the first to the final inspection, when the drying goal is achieved.
