Moisture Investigations Using Thermal Cameras

This article explains how thermal cameras have proven to be useful tools for investigating moisture problems in structures. Moisture influences how building materials respond to temperature fluctuations, either because of thermal inertia (dry parts of building materials respond more quickly to temperature changes than do the wet parts) or evaporation (as moisture evaporates, the material gives off heat, resulting in a raised surface temperature). Both of these phenomena can be displayed as images in real time by modern infrared cameras. This article details for interior and exterior moisture investigations and offers tips on "infrared camera savvy."