Re: at the beginning and heartbroken - Infrared Camera

[Guest guest]

and bbw,

, you are exactly right that IR cameras don't see mold, it sees

temperature changes - that are cause by water but not the water

itself. And it will be " hit or miss " if the operator doesn't

understand the variables.

To fine tune this a little so we don't get misled, IR cameras detect

temperature differences - no matter what causes them. Finding heat

loss from leaky houses is one of the main uses. Another is electrical

transformers on power poles that are running too hot. Seeing people

in the dark.

With moisture and mold, for example, the camera may see different

colors around a window that a mold remediator may interpret as mold

from water leaks. However, the temperature differences may be caused

by water leaks with no mold, or simply by air leaks, or metal

flashing that heats and cools more quickly than 2x4 framing and

sheetrock. Or brick siding compared to vinyl siding. Each material

and structure warms and cools at different rates that the IR camera

translates into different shades of gray or as different colors.

The inspector needs to know the possible causes of temperature

differences so he can account for them and provide an accurate

assessment. One of the leading proponents and research experts on IR

cameras gives a presentation on nothing but the errors. He also says

for each hour he runs the camera, he spends multiple hours evaluating

the data, comparing it to other measurements and with his visual

inspection before beginning to writing the report.

There has to be a temperature difference and that can change as the

day changes, or even reverse if the water becomes warmer than the

wall. IR cameras indicate the temperature difference only on the

surface of the wall or floor but not inside or behind it. The image

often looks 3D like the X-ray vision of Superman, but it isn't.

IR inspections are very similar to mold testing. Because there are no

absolutes, operator and client bias with self-fullfilling

interpretations are all too common. Therefore, IR camera data (like

mold samples) should be compared to other observations and

measurements to achieve reliable conclusions.

There are some great general images on the Flir camera site:

www.x20.org/thermal/pictures.htm

The Mason Grant site has free information including a moisture

detection video that is quite eye-opening:

www.moisturedm.com/html/accessories_training/free_downloads.html

Or go to the bottom of the page at: http://www.moistureview.com/

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

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> Yes,

> It can " see " changes in temperature behind walls. If there is an

> active leak then it should be cooler than the normal air, and show

> up as a different color when viewed through the camera.

>

> They did my entire house and didn't notice anything behind the

> walls.

>

> If you have a roof leak (or had one) and it was fixed by the

> previous owner - the mold is back there and dormant, it will not

> detect that. So it's hit or miss..

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > The first time included an infra red camera (to

> > > see if any mold was

> > > behind the walls) and 4 air samples - 800

> > > bucks. The next two were

> > > just a combination of tape lifts and air

> > > samples, and were each about

> > > 700 bucks. So I think if that's more in your

> > > ballpark, you should

> > > still look around.

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> FAIR USE NOTICE:

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes,

It can " see " changes in temperature behind walls. If there is an

active leak then it should be cooler than the normal air, and show

up as a different color when viewed through the camera.

They did my entire house and didn't notice anything behind the

walls.

If you have a roof leak (or had one) and it was fixed by the

previous owner - the mold is back there and dormant, it will not

detect that. So it's hit or miss..

>

> > The first time included an infra red camera (to

> > see if any mold was

> > behind the walls) and 4 air samples - 800

> > bucks. The next two were

> > just a combination of tape lifts and air

> > samples, and were each about

> > 700 bucks. So I think if that's more in your

> > ballpark, you should

> > still look around.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

One thing I wonder about a lot. Can thermal cameras be used to image

the skin temperature of people with enough accuracy to show

inflammation from mold illness's progression when they get exposure?

(say, via an animation done with time lapse thermography)

Now, that would be interesting!

Anyone?