WATER, WATER GO AWAY. . .

“The pipe burst spraying water all over the place.” “They saved our home from burning to the ground with an ocean of water.” Whatever the cause of water damage, the clean up is always the same. Find where the water traveled and dry it properly and quickly.

Locating water damage can be very difficult. Inside the wall and ceiling pockets of a home, water may travel around like the lines of a map. Ceilings, walls and flooring in all directions of the source may be affected. The only true pattern water follows is the pattern of chance. Identifying which direction(s) it has gone has become so important these days. With buildings being built tightly and over insulated, the structures’ ability to vent and breathe has been reduced. When water gets trapped in a building, it festers. Mold growth and rot become a true concern.

For year’s infrared technology has been used by our military and even our local Fire Departments to examine the different temperature characteristics of materials found in all types of buildings. This technology has moved into the realm of insurance claims as yet another tool to assist adjusters and remediators to identify and correct damaged areas.

The use of moisture detection devices has been around for decades. Years ago, the palm of one’s hand was used to detect moisture on a wall or floor surface. It wasn’t long for this test to be recognized as unreliable. Hand-held contact moisture meters were developed that gave an indication of moisture in a wall surface.

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Hand-Held Moisture Meter

Infrared technology has been used for years by our military and even our local Fire Departments to examine the different temperature characteristics of materials found in all types of buildings. This technology has moved into the realm of insurance claims as yet another tool to assist adjusters and remediators to identify and correct damaged areas.

The infrared camera indicates the differences in surface temperatures. Water heats up and cools off at a different rate than that of building components. It is the difference in temperature that indicates the probable presence of water. Follow-ups with handheld detection devices provide confirmation and help to avoid false positives. Entire rooms can now be examined in minutes versus the time consuming task of swiping a surface device over the same materials.

Infrared Camera

Fourteen months ago, a building in Cambridge, MA suffered extensive water damage as a result of a massive buildup of water on the roof. The roof gave way and thousands of gallons of water entered the building affecting all three levels and the basement. After two weeks of drying techniques coupled with thousand of dollars in costs to do so, the building remained wet. It was decided that the use of infrared technology might assist in pinpointing where the “hot-spots” were so that specific areas could be addressed.

A specialist in infrared technology was brought in and his discoveries were amazing. The infrared camera located wet areas that were once thought of as dry. This gave the remediation contractor a new view of how to approach the drying process. Using the handheld devices as a secondary source of confirmation, we were able to identify the surface areas of the walls and ceilings that remained wet. More impressively, we did this LIVE with the insurance company adjuster present during the testing. Concerns over the plaster ceilings and walls collapsing along with out-of-control mold growth were put to rest. Had these areas not been identified, tens of thousands of dollars in mold or structural repairs might have been needed AFTER the initial repairs were completed.

At Professional Loss Adjusters, we are on the forefront of securing and training in this technology. We are among the first adjusting firms to make the investment in this equipment. At a cost that exceeds $9,000.00 for the camera alone versus the $350 for a handheld unit, we are committing our financial resources toward this new technology. The acquisition of the infrared camera becomes one more piece in a growing arsenal of equipment that we believe the claims industry must and should have.

Thermogram/photo showing water intrusion from plumbing leak