Moisture Problems

Arguably one of the most common causes of long term deterioration of your building structure is moisture.  Moisture can cause wood rot, mold, mildew, and structural damage.  Each problem has the potential to be very expensive for a building owner.

• Mold- Mold is a fungal that feeds off moisture, oxygen and susceptible surface such as wood, gypsum, ceiling tiles, plaster board and anywhere that organic material or residue is present. The worst situation is mold growing in hidden or inaccessible places, where it can spread unseen and unchecked.  Mold can cause a variety of health and environmental hazards and should be taken seriously.
• Wood Rot. - Caused by infestation of various fungi, ultimately causes irrecoverable structure loss to wood surfaces. Window sills, roof eaves, joists, studs and exterior trim are common victims of wood rot.  Like mold, wood rot is caused by moisture and oxygen.
• Water Damage- Many materials in your home are susceptible to moisture damage. Over time moisture can cause significant damage to structure or reduce structural integrity. This almost always results in costly repairs.

There are many ways that moisture can get into a building structure such as plumbing leaks, poor sealing, flashing and construction defects   of exterior elements as well as around windows.  Poor landscaping and improper grade height can also cause significant water damage.   Identifying potential moisture penetration areas or early detection of moisture problems can help prevent long term and expensive building structure and indoor air quality problems.

Infrared Thermal Imaging is an excellent method of detecting thermal anamolies which can help discover moisture problems in your building.  Moisture laden material will give off a “different” thermal image than it would in a “normal” state. This method can be done with no physical intrusion to your building, yet it can examine problems not seen by visual inspection.  Infrared Thermal Imaging requires expert and experienced interpretation in order to get the best results.   Jon Anderson is a level I, Level II and level III Certified Infrared Thermographer with the Infraspection Institute.

Contact us for more information on how you can effectively deal with moisture in your home.