| Using Infrared Thermography to detect common problems that can produce damage to homes and illness to occupants |
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| Unknown sewage pipe leak Client stated that they had a water problem in the basement and thought an underground stream may be to blame because sometimes they actually heard water flowing into the basement. Upon entering the basement, a musty odor was detected which is common when water intrusion is a problem, and numerous areas of the foundation walls were noticeably stained (as shown in thumbnailed images below). Besides the musty odor, a foul odor was also evident at times, mainly in the southwest corner of the basement. During the infrared survey, multiple areas of dampness were found along the concrete block foundation walls (as shown in thumbnailed images below). Warmer temperatures in a horizontal and vertical pattern on the concrete block wall in the southwest corner were found (as shown in upper left image). Visually, the area was noticeably wet in the lower area and a demarcation line of water damage was also evident. The warmer temperatures immediately made it clear that a sewage leak from a broken pipe behind a foundation wall was to blame (as shown in middle two images). I had the client run hot water in the kitchen sink. Within seconds, water began pouring from the wall as shown in the bottom left images. Without infrared imaging, the warm temperatures seen along the wall would not have been detected leading to the discovery that the water intrusion was actually from a broken sewage pipe which was causing harmful sewer gases to enter the home causing illness to the occupants. |
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