Johnson’s uses Infrared Thermal Imaging equipment to investigate equipment, electrical and building problems. Thermography helps our customers see things that are not visible to the naked eye. This technology can be used to solve many problems associated with moisture in building materials before the damage becomes permanent. Examining electrical circuits and equipment reveals hot spots and problems that can go un-noticed using conventional inspection methods. Leakage of heated or cooled air that would be invisible otherwise can be detected. Water leaks from roofs, plumbing and air conditioning equipment that is concealed inside walls, ceilings and building cavities leave a thermal trace that can be picked up using thermal imaging equipment.
Johnson’s uses Infrared Thermal Imaging equipment to examine electrical equipment, circuits and connections. Many electrical problems cause heat to be generated in locations that can be inspected using infrared equipment. Things as simple as loose electrical connections that would otherwise go undetected are easy to pinpoint. Inspection of electrical panels and circuit breakers reveals all of the hot spots to detect overloads and failing components. Circuit boards can also be checked for any potential problems.
Electric motors are inspected to determine if there are any concerns of electrical or mechanical nature. Hot spots on armatures reveal themselves and bearings and moving parts are also checked for any heat producing wear or friction. Belts, pulleys and gears that are worn or failing often produce higher than normal heat levels of heat before complete failure occurs. Inspections of electrical and mechanical equipment serve a valuable proactive maintenance service and increase the level of safety assurances for prevention of electrocution and fire hazards.
Although air is invisible to the human eye, the cooling or heating effect is has upon the materials it contacts leaves a heat signature that can be visualized using infrared equipment. Thermal imaging reveals the effects of heated or chilled air upon surfaces and tells us where repairs are needed. Often ducts are located in concealed spaces such as drop ceiling cavities where the duct cannot be seen. When heated or chilled air leaks above drop ceilings it chills the drywall in the vicinity of the leak. Rather than demolition that would have been required to inspect the entire duct system ; the ceiling can be removed for repairs only in the areas where leaks where detected. Cutting access holes for repairs can be limited to just the areas where needed to make repairs ; reducing the costs ceiling repairs.
Grills and diffusers can cause problems when chilled air is directed onto drywall or other building materials. Examination using infrared imaging reveals where the deflection of the air needs to be corrected.
Moisture from infiltration air that makes contact with building materials adjacent to air conditioned spaces makes itself known during the four humid months of our SWFL rainy season. Infiltration points produce vivid images during the humid months due to the extreme moisture content of the air ; the images fade during dryer seasons when the weather conditions are more forgiving. Johnson’s uses multiple test methods as applicable to the time of year and exposure ; our SWFL rainy season is the time of year when infrared technology is most useful to us.
Bulk Water Intrusion
Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, mechanical equipment malfunctions and condensate drain problems can occur at anytime around our calendar year. Infrared detection is useful during all seasons to solve these problems. Rooftops can be inspected from above or below depending upon the types of materials used, the accessibility for inspections and the type of construction. Water often meanders from the point where it entered the structure to other locations where it drips out. Using thermography we can trace its path from where it is evident back to its root cause. Finding roof leaks can be very frustrating without the use of thermography ; sometimes the water damage is many feet away from or several stories below its entry point. The path it takes is much easier to trace when thermal imaging lights up its route through the structure.
When inspected from above, water beneath the roof surface can be seen between the various ply's of roofing materials. It creates cool spots under the roof surface that can only be detected using thermal imaging equipment.
When inspected from below the roof deck, the method and results are very similar. On sloped roofs above attic spaces, the point where the leak is evident may be several feet below the point where it entered. The thermal image often looks like a miniature river flowing above the deck to the point where it is found. Plumbing leaks are easy to find when they are large. When piping ruptures or breaks releasing large quantities of water it is evident without any need for thermo inspections. It’s the small leak that can be hard to find but can quietly go unnoticed and do lots of damage over time. Condensate drains from air conditioning equipment are also low flow ; but can do a lot of damage if undetected.