Even after the initial flood waters have been extracted, moisture that has seeped into walls, floors, and other materials causes issues if left unchecked. Thankfully, infrared scanning technology offers restoration contractors a high-tech solution for locating this hidden moisture during the restoration process. Infrared scanning utilizes special cameras that detect infrared energy that is invisible to the human eye. All objects emit some level of infrared energy in the form of heat. The amount of energy emitted depends on the object’s temperature – the hotter the object, the more energy is given off.
Infrared cameras contain special sensors that detect these infrared waves and convert them into an image that maps out the temperature variation across the scanned area. Since water has a very different temperature than most building materials, an infrared camera easily highlights any trapped moisture issues. Cool spots in floors, walls, and ceilings stick out like a sore thumb when viewed through the infrared lens. By scanning a property with an infrared camera, restoration contractors pinpoint exactly where moisture has traveled and pooled within the structure.
Why scanning is crucial after water damage?
Locating all the moisture is a part of the restoration process after any water damage event. If excess moisture is left behind, it opens the door to mold growth, wood rot, and other issues. Mold devastates a structure if moisture provides an environment for it to thrive in. Infrared scanning is an effective way to ensure no moisture gets overlooked during the restoration process. Its detailed thermal imaging uncovers moisture hidden behind drywall, under floors, within ceilings, and more. Alternative moisture detection methods like moisture meters are helpful but only provide readings from a single point of contact. Infrared cameras give restoration teams a comprehensive map of the entire moisture situation within a property.
This allows them to systematically dry out each trouble area using equipment like dehumidifiers, air movers, and heaters. Relying solely on moisture meter spot readings makes it much easier for damp areas to slip through the cracks. The last thing any restoration Damage Control 911 wants is to leave moisture behind and get called back to the same property for mold issues a few months later. Infrared scanning minimizes this risk substantially by fully exposing all the moisture to be addressed.
Infrared scanning in orlando restoration
Infrared cameras are a common sight during water damage restoration projects across the Orlando area. With its humid, tropical climate and frequency of heavy rainstorms, moisture intrusion is an all too common issue that local restoration contractors have to address. During the long, hot summers, excess moisture also easily sparks mold outbreaks if proper drying does not take place. Contractors rely on detailed thermal data to guide the entire restoration process from start to finish.
The scans point them to concealed moisture in walls, under flooring, and elsewhere that is driving the elevated humidity levels within the structure. They then set up drying equipment to slowly return the environment to normal pre-loss conditions. Follow-up scans later on confirm that all trouble spots have dried out and no hidden moisture remains. This clearance is necessary before any rebuilding of the actual damaged areas commences.
