Ever wish that there was an easier way to detect moisture, an air leak or structural features within a wall or roof system without having to perform destructive testing? Thermal imaging used in conjunction with moisture meters and visual observations may reduce and/or eliminate the need for destructive testing in some cases.

Thermal imaging is achieved with an infrared camera that is capable of collecting video and still images. This camera detects differentials in thermal energy stored within building components. Different building components have different colors, densities and moisture contents. All of these affect the manner in which thermal energy is absorbed into different building components. For example a component that contains more moisture is going to retain thermal energy longer than a component with less moisture. This is important because the infrared camera will detect the retained thermal energy. This condition can then be verified with a moisture meter or visual observations.

The only drawback to thermal imaging is that in most cases the sun is the only energy source that is abundant enough to provide adequate energy for the infrared camera to detect. This means that the camera is very effective for detecting moisture contained within roof membranes and/or building envelopes exposed to direct sunlight. If a building component is not exposed to direct sunlight or does not have a pronounced temperature differential thermal imaging may be ineffective. Some other uses of thermal imaging include but are not limited to:

• Locating filled cells within masonry walls
• Locating wall studs and/or termite damaged wall studs within frame walls.
• Locating decay within tree limbs
• Locating moisture within roof membranes or building envelopes

Shown below are a few examples of location of different features within a structure.

Figure 1: Filled cells within a CMU wall

Figure 2: Air infiltration under a door opening

Figure 3: Wall studs within a wall cavity

If you would like additional information on the use of thermal imaging in the assessment of buildings, our building envelope group is ready to assist you. Please contact Gary Pailthorp at gpailthorp@brackenengineering.com.

Stephen "Steve" R. Towne with Bracken Engineering Inc in Tampa, FL has earned the title REGISTERED ROOF CONSULTANT (RRC) from RCI, Inc. Steve qualified for this designation by meeting the requirements of a rigorous two-part program based on verifiable levels of education, ethics and experience, and successfully completing a challenging examination. Steve is a Project Manager with Bracken Engineering's Building Envelope Group and now joins an elite group of over 300 Registered Roof Consultants in the U.S. and Canada.

The RRC registration is administered by RCI from its international headquarters in Raleigh, NC and is rapidly gaining recognition throughout North America as a key element preferred by building owners, public and private, when retaining the services of a roof consultant.

RCI was founded in 1983 as a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit organization and its professional members offer unbiased design, repair planning, quality assurance, legal testimony and general roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope services. RCI's roof consultants adhere to a strict code of ethics that offers unprejudiced professional services without affiliation with any product or manufacturer.

If you are experiencing roof problems, a Registered Roof Consultant can help. Contact Steve Towne at stowne@brackenengineering.com.