Flood clean-up involves many processes for example, shutting of the electricity and draining standing water. This process is always evolving with new products and technology on the market. One of these technologies which we will highlight in this post is thermal imaging.
What is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal imaging allows you see objects in a dark environment. It detects an objects infrared radiation and creates an image.
Furthermore now that we have defined what thermal imaging is, we will also talk about how it works.
How Does it Work?
All objects emit heat giving off infrared energy. The hotter an object is, the more radiation it will emit.
A thermal imager is a heat sensor capable of detecting temperature differences. The device collects the radiation from the objects and creates an electronic image based on the information about the temperature differences. Objects are rarely the same temperature as objects around them. A thermal camera can detect them and they will appear as their own distinct images.
Now that we have gone over the mechanics of how thermal imaging works, in the next paragraph we will discuss how it aids in flood clean-up.
Thermal Imaging Camera Features
Thermal imaging cameras can be purchased with bare minimum features or multiple features. Bare minimum features only read the temperature of the fixed center crosshairs on the display. Multiple features allow the user to select multiple moveable crosshairs and draw comparisons between them to show the high, low, and average temperatures on the display.
Cameras have multiple color palettes; black/white, iron or rainbow. Iron pallet is the one most commonly used by home inspectors. Black/white palate helps identify details on an image, and the rainbow palette has the best thermal sensitivity to display the difference in temperature.
When Should Thermal Imaging Be Used?
Infrared cameras can be used for inspection under certain circumstances. These circumstances include:
- Any water infiltration to a structure. This includes a pipe bursting, flood, or a broken water supply line.
- During the building process while manufacturer warranty still covers the building materials.
- Before you purchase a property.
- When you suspect a plumbing leak, but not confirmed by traditional methods.
- When an ice dam occurs or other roofing problem.
How Does it Help Flood Clean-Up?
- It can be a powerful tool for discovering the source of a leak.
- Determining if there is latent moisture behind a wall after a dry-out.
- Combat the potential for mold growth throughout a property.
- The greatest challenge in water damage restoration is ensuring the affected area is completely dry. One prime concern after water damage is the mold growth, which can happen quickly in moist and damp areas.
- It can determine if moisture is still present, treat any areas for mold that are still wet, and continue the drying process until no moisture is detected.
- Although it may seem easy to handle water damage on your own, it can be difficult to determine when your house is truly dry and ready for final repairs. By using infrared thermal technology, you can rest assured that water damage restoration services will get your home completely dry.
In addition to aiding in flood clean-up, we will touch on best practices of use.
Recommended Best Practices
- Beyond the technical limitations the use of an IR camera, there are also ethical implications for its use that should be addressed.
- An infrared camera detects temperature to determine if something is wet.
- Readouts near walls with cold water lines and air conditioning ducts can give the impression that an area is water damaged.
Now that we have listed some best practices for use, we hope you found this post informative.
In conclusion, thermal imaging has many benefits for use during flood clean-up. It not only allows for more efficient work, it also takes the guesswork out of finding moisture.
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