When inspecting a building for defective conditions, the saying “there’s more than meets the eye” is particularly true. That’s because a number of potential problems that could threaten your property aren’t always visible, such as water that penetrates under roofing membranes, leaks behind walls, blockage in pipes, missing insulation, or underlying structural damage. By the time these defects do become noticeable—in the form of cracks, leaks, mold, shifted walls, etc.—the damage has already been done.
One very effective technology RAND uses to see what’s going on “behind the scenes” at a building is infrared thermography. Infrared thermography detects thermal differences in objects and displays them in images visible with an infrared camera. The science behind it is fairly straightforward: Water retains heat longer than solids do, so by analyzing the different colors in the infrared images and comparing them with visually observed conditions, a thermographer can locate areas of water penetration and heat loss hidden from sight (unless your superhero engineer has x-ray vision).
As we point out in our latest ad (above), which appears in the January issue of Habitat magazine, RAND has a team of Certified Infrared Thermographers specially trained to detect defective conditions in buildings. Our infrared team is qualified to perform building diagnostics in three areas (depending on their certification): buildings and roofs, electrical systems, and mechanical systems.
The infrared camera has become an essential tool for our engineers and architects in the field. Because it’s a non-destructive method of testing, infrared thermography helps us less invasively identify trouble areas. For example, using a thermographic map of a roof or a facade to root out the source of leaks, investigative probes can be conducted with much more accuracy than through just trial-and-error. As a result, fewer probes are needed to pinpoint areas of water infiltration and assess the underlying damage, saving our clients time and money.
If you want to learn how an infrared survey can benefit your property, please contact us at 212-675-8844 or info@nullrandpc.com. Once you see your building in a new (infrared) light, you’ll have a better understanding of how to keep it in top operating condition. There’s more to those cool-looking colors than meets the eye.
