Thermal imaging for water damage?

[Paul Bukowski]

Hi All, new here but thought I'd look for some advice. I saw these thermal imaging cameras are being sold at a pretty steep discount on this site and was thinking about grabbing a bunch for my team. Anyone tried them before?

 

[Scott W]

Care to disclose your financial connections to the products sold there?

 

[Paul Bukowski]

None, Scott. Just looking for advice. Your grout powder looks nice though. Do you have an opinion?

 

[tres]

Lol

Paul, looks like a great deal. You should buy every single one of them. Can never have too many thermal cameras. Pull the trigger and do it!

 

[Scott W]

Be sure you know what you are getting. Compare sensitivity, number of pixels and other features. These seem to be priced appropriately for what they offer. A contractor who does a lot of water restoration projects might want something more.

 

[gtech12v]

Something more like what Scott?

 

[Scott W]

Flir is pretty much the indsutry standard for detailed images; fast resposne time, ability to place a regular light image with an IR image so that later you and the insurance adjuster know what your were making images of; ability to get an accurate image at a greater distance. All these features save tiem if doing a lot of inspection and help document what your images represent.

Some models have ability to transmit images via blue tooth, etc.

Price range from just under $1,000 to about $8,000. This one at $1500 is popular for water damage restoration companies. http://interlinksupply.com/index.php?item_num=AC145

 

[Mike Krall]

Can a camera like that pinpoint where water entry is coming in from?

I have a customer with a 10,000 sq' basement that floods a few times a year under heavy rainfall. They can't figure out where it enters from.

 

[Frank House]

Guys look at this one. It is both a thermal type and moisture meter with hydrometer.



The FLIR MR176 Imaging Moisture Meter Plus with IGM™ is an all-in-one tool
equipped with a built-in thermal camera that can show you exactly
where to measure moisture.




Featuring Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM) technology, the MR176 helps you quickly scan and target moisture issues, visually guiding you to the spot where you can confidently take measurements and analyze readings. An integrated pinless sensor and an external pin probe provide the flexibility to take either non-intrusive or intrusive measurements.



Coupled with a field-replaceable temperature and relative humidity sensor, and automatically calculated environmental readings, the FLIR MR176 delivers added convenience and ease of use, producing the right measurements — faster.



Visually identify hidden moisture with IGM.
Easily investigate moisture issues and troubleshoot quickly

• An 80 x 60, 4,800-pixel Lepton® thermal imager powers IGM technology, visually indicating potential moisture areas via the color display
• Customize thermal images: select which measurements are integrated (moisture, temperature, relative humidity, dew point, vapor pressure, mixing ratio), and choose from one of four color palettes (Iron, Rainbow, Ice, Greyscale); a lock-image setting prevents extreme hot and cold temperatures from interfering with images while scanning for issues
• Equipped with a laser and cross hair to easily reference the exact location of the potential moisture issue seen in the thermal image

Get precise readings.
Confidently take measurements and analyze readings

• Field-replaceable temperature/relative humidity sensor can simply be removed from meter and exchanged when needed, so you can continue to work and reduce downtime
• Progressive Environmental Stability Indicator removes response time error when you move through a site to different measurement locations, informing you when the relative humidity readings have reached a steady state
• Integrated pinless moisture measurements for fast detection, and external pin probe included with expandable probe options

Convenient and easy to operate.
Get more work done in less time

• Rugged, portable design with intuitive menu system
• Document readings and images to share via included USB cable
• Free FLIR Tools PC software quickly generates reports

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THERMAL IMAGING

• Imaging detector: FLIR Lepton microbolometer
• Image Calibration: Automatic with manual lock scale option
• Thermal Image resolution (W x H): 4800 pixels (80 × 60)
• Spectral response: 8–14 μm
• Field of view (W x H): 51° × 38°
• Sensitivity: <150mK
• Detection Limit
  (Wet Area Detection @ 32ft (10m): 19.7in2 (49cm2)
• Image update speed frequency: 9 Hz
• Thermal image palettes: Iron, Rainbow, Ice, Grayscale
• Thermal image minimum focus distance: 4" (10 cm)

MOISTURE MEASUREMENT

• Pin moisture via external probe:
  • Range: 7% to 100% | Basic Accuracy: ± 1.5% MC
  • Range: 30% to 100% | Basic Accuracy: Reference only
• Pin moisture groups: 9 material groups
• Pinless moisture range:
  • Range: 0–100
  • Basic Accuracy: Relative
• Pinless moisture depth: 0.75" (19mm) Max
• Measurement resolution: 0.1
• Response time pinless mode: 100ms
• Response time pin mode: 750ms

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENT

• Relative Humidity: Range: 0 to 100% | Basic Accuracy: 2.5%RH
• Air Temperature: Range: 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C) | Basic Accuracy: ±1.1°F (±0.6°C)
• Dew Point: Range: -22 to 122°F (-30 to 50°C) | ±1.8°F (±1.0°C)
• Vapor Pressure: Range: 0.0 to 12.0kPa | Basic Accuracy: ±0.05kPa
• Mixing Ratio: Range: 0 to 560GPP (0.0 to 80.0 g/kg) | Basic Accuracy: ±2GPP (0.25 g/kg)

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Display type: QVGA (320 x 240 pixel) 2.3” color TFT graphical display
• Saved Image File format: BMP with measurement values overlaid
• Stored image capacity: 9999 images
• Laser Orientation: Single laser pointer to center of thermal image
• Continuous Run Time: 18 hours max
• Typical Usage: 4 work weeks
• Battery: 3.7V, 3000mAh Li-ion rechargeable via micro USB
• Certification standards: EN 61326 (EMC), EN 60825-1 Class 2 (Laser)
• Agency approvals: CE, FCC Class B

SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Flir
Category Moisture Meters, Multi-Function Meter, Non-Penetrating, Penetrating, Thermal Imaging Camera, Thermo-Hygrometer
Resolution 4,800 pixels
Thermal Sensitivity <150mK
Condition New

 

[Frank House]

 

[Frank House]

Can a camera like that pinpoint where water entry is coming in from?

I have a customer with a 10,000 sq' basement that floods a few times a year under heavy rainfall. They can't figure out where it enters from.

Yes this one can help in that.

 

[Scott W]

Can a camera like that pinpoint where water entry is coming in from?

I have a customer with a 10,000 sq' basement that floods a few times a year under heavy rainfall. They can't figure out where it enters from.

An IR camera can cedrtainly help in that regard. They actually detect even very small differences in temperature. If there is any moisture present, that area will be cooler due to evaporative cooling, the reason your skin feels cooler after swimming or showering. But there are also other things that can cause temperature differences such as missing insulation in a wall, an A/C blowing on a particular spot and so forth. So, you do need to have a little training and practice to read and interpret what you see.

One demo for IR cameras is for a person to place their hand against a wall for 5 or 6 seconds. Then som eone comes into the room with an IR camera and searches the wall for that spot that is maybe .1 degree warmer and the camera shows up a perfect image of the hand that was there a few minutes ago.

 

[Mike Krall]

An IR camera can cedrtainly help in that regard. They actually detect even very small differences in temperature. If there is any moisture present, that area will be cooler due to evaporative cooling, the reason your skin feels cooler after swimming or showering. But there are also other things that can cause temperature differences such as missing insulation in a wall, an A/C blowing on a particular spot and so forth. So, you do need to have a little training and practice to read and interpret what you see.

One demo for IR cameras is for a person to place their hand against a wall for 5 or 6 seconds. Then som eone comes into the room with an IR camera and searches the wall for that spot that is maybe .1 degree warmer and the camera shows up a perfect image of the hand that was there a few minutes ago.

Thanks Scott.

I actually suggested a IR camera to them thinking about how it would detect the different temperatures between the water and the other materials. I wonder though since it's block wall and concrete floor if it's all going to show up a cold zones?

 

[Scott W]

Temperature range can be adjusted on most models. So even when there are many cold surfaces, itc can show a surface that is just slightly cooler or warmer. Differences will still be visible.

The issues might be if the water was several inches below the surface. If water is anywhere close to the surface, it will find it.

You can get cameras that willf ind water even much belwo the surface. For example fire fighters can use a (more expensive) IR camera to detect a "cold" signature of a person in a burnign building event hrough walls and flames.

 

[Cat 3]

I bought a inexpensive Flir for around 1500 and I wish I would have spent more to get better resolution.

 

[mathis1]

I've used them all and to be honest the flir that's around 600.00 will serve the purpose for water damage , that said your gonna back your finding with a meter anyway

 

[owenscott]

Can a camera like that pinpoint where water entry is coming in from?

I have a customer with a 10,000 sq' basement that floods a few times a year under heavy rainfall. They can't figure out where it enters from.

I think the water is coming from outside ?!??
(I couldnt resist)

 

[Mike Krall]

I think the water is coming from outside ?!??
(I couldnt resist)

That's elementary my dear Watson.