Infrared detection of water damage

Hi, The problem faced by most property owners is that moisture behind walls, over ceilings, and under floors is often impossible to detect until the problem is excessive and visible to the naked eye. Since the investigation and removal of infestations of not yet visible mold in structures is often difficult, technology is now being used to do what once was impossible. Thermal imaging using infrared cameras helps detect hidden damp spots in floors, ceilings or walls. It also helps water damage restoration professionals track down the source of the water, making it easier to solve water damage mysteries. These powerful and accurate tools act as our eyes where we cannot see and help prevent extensive damage from occurring. Infrared cameras show temperature differentials and thermal patterns. The rainbow colored images can help identify cold spots due to drafts or uneven insulation, but can also help to spot moisture as well. Because evaporative moisture cools the surface of nearby materials, water spots are often seen as dark blue spots on an IR (infrared) camera. Moisture trapped near the roof can sometimes show as a warm spot, as heat from the roof causes the temperature of the water to rise. Because there are many variables involved, only a skilled technician should use and interpret the thermal images from an IR camera. Hope this helps 👍🏻

Hi There, You potentially have a rising damp problem. The amount of ambient humidity you indicate of circa 70% would certainly suggest that. Rising damp is a relatively rare form of damp that affects the walls of buildings. It occurs when moisture from the ground travels up through the walls by capillary action. This means that ground water is effectively sucked up through tiny tubes in the bricks, like a series of straws. This water contains salts that also travel up through the wall. Rising damp occurs when the DPC or damp proof course has failed or been bridged in some manner. This can be fixed whereby the internal plaster is hacked off to around 1 metre in height and a proprietary waterproofing chemical cream is injected into the walls to re-establish the aforementioned DPC. The cream, like the water and salts causing the damp, is drawn into the brickwork thus forming the new DPC. The walls can then be re-plastered and painted. I hope this helps.

What i would recommend to get a company round that pumps gas into the heating system or hot and cold services to pin point the leak if no gas is detected then the issue is rising damp