Thermal imaging survey for condensation!
Thermal Imaging has been around for years but it is almost never used by the timber and damp industry.
I have started to use the thermal imaging to highlight cold areas and differences in wall and ceiling temperatures which encourage condensation to track to these areas and possible black mound growth. I am starting to include this sort of thermal mapping to demonstrate how differences in temperature can encourage condensation and mould growth in old buildings.
Cold walls are often damp, and conduct heat much more readily than dry walls. Imaging can show how badly installed insulation causes cold spots, which encourage mould. We often find cold spots in walls where gypsum based plasterboard adhesive is bonded to cold and wet surfaces Our thermal imaging cameras can also show areas of poorly installed insulation in loft spaces, this is a common occurrence we see. We combine thermal imaging with other instruments to measure moisture in any area. We also use hygrometers and air temperature readings to further prove the existence of condensation.
Below are pictures taken from yesterday's survey in Sheffield.
The property was a solid wall construction property circa 1900
Thermal imaging showing Cold spots
Condensation and Black mould in domestic property
The customer had complained of “damp” in 2 corners of her lounge.
In this property there was very poor natural ventilation, I recommended the installation of 2 sovereign eco merlin constant running background fans in the kitchen and bathroom areas to help control airborne moisture at source, installation of a passive vent to allow moisture from the lounge area to migrate outwards without causing a uncomfortable draft for the homeowners and also the installation of thermal backed plasterboard to raise the thermal value of the external walls in the lounge.
We have created a free guide and checklist to help you the homeowner check your own property here.
Check out our FREE Guide - 8 Signs That You Have a Condensation Problem >>
