For  anyone living in Minnesota, determining weather a home or office has existing leaks or mold growth issues may seem like an impossible task. In most cases I would say your right. In most cases, leaks and existing mold are not visible to the naked eye, mainly because they are behind walls or even above ceilings. We are all looking to maintain as healthy of an environment as possible regarding where we live and work, but would rather not tear down every wall in the house to do so.

Luckily there is a non-invasive technologhy that detects those pockets of moisture that could signify mold growth, possible water damage, pipe leaks, structural abnormalities, temperature variations, including many other issues that could make a building uninhabitable. Thermal Tech uses thermal imaging as the primary method in which such problems can be identified and taken care of, more importantly by doing so eliminates destroying walls or other structures in your home or office. Thermal imaging is the ability to distinguish variations in temperatures in the infrared spectrum, due to change in temperature. Every material has a unique thermal signature and when that thermal signature is compromised by one of the following; moisture, heat, and cold, these changes can be seen by the infrared thermal imaging camera. There are several reasons why it’s important to detect such variations regarding temperature within wall cavities and one major example is mold.

Generally speaking, moisture means that mold may be present and needs to be removed immediately. 72 hours is all it takes for mold to begin it’s growth process with the presents of water, no matter the size, and if left, can cause health issue for those living or working in the structure. Some health issue associated with mold include: Scratchy, sore, or itchy throat. Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, coughing / wheezing, shortness of breath / breathing difficulties, Asthma flares, sensitive and itchy skin.

If such moisture is detected using infrared thermal imaging, the cost of remediation can be cut significantly and deterioration of a structure can be stopped. Water damage by itself can destroy a structure, so detecting the problem and fixing it quickly is the best course of action. Infrared thermal imaging can also show possible gaps in insulation due to cold spots that can be detected with the infrared camera. These gaps can cause a home to run too hot or cold, depending on the issue. These gaps can also create scenarios in which water damage is more likely to occur and further structural damage can be done. The EPA has also been testing the use of infrared thermal cameras in detecting leaks, along with several other issues and concluded that such a device would “revolutionize the control of leaks.”