Infrared Exterior Cladding Inspections
Why use an Infrared Thermographer for an External Cladding Inspection?
Thermal imaging has greatly improved our ability to perform cladding moisture inspections as the infrared camera can see temperature. If there's moisture in the cladding it will effect the surface temperature in that area, the infrared camera can see the temperature difference and therefore can see the leaks. As the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words" so being able to take simultaneous digital and infrared photos that can show the effected areas, present them to the customer or compile an easy to understand report is also a huge advantage. Particularly as it means we no longer have to perform costly invasive testing to find a leak. The Thermal images allow us to see and document the extent of the areas of moisture ingress at the click of a button. By using Infrared Cameras for cladding inspections as well as our non invasive moisture meters for confirmation we are now better able to identify the correct areas that need repair quickly and easily compared to other types of inspections. Owners that take preventative steps now will most likely avoid leaky building type headaches later.
When should I get an Infrared Exterior Cladding Inspection?
If your house .....
* was built before 2005. * has living areas that are below ground level. * has flat roofs or decks with living areas below. * has plaster or monolithic cladding. * is built with untreated kiln-dried framing timber. * there is mould or other stains on exterior walls. * has bad smells mould or damp. * has any exterior walls without eaves for weather protection. * has cracks in the exterior cladding or bubbling paint. * has windows without head flashing's. * if buying or selling (Pre-purchase or Pre-sale). * has any history of moisture ingress. * has a complex design. *has more than one type of cladding* has areas of concern or in poor condition* has any sign of moisture ingress. *has not had an infrared scan before.
Exterior Plaster, Stucco Inspections of direct fixed plaster claddings
Problems with both direct fixed (Hardies type) cladding systems and solid (mesh type) plaster systems are that they all crack as they age and the paint coating has to be relied on to keep out moisture, as the cement plaster is very moisture absorbent as are the fibre backing sheets. Usually if you get a crack in
Monolithic plaster cladding you would expect the damp proofing underneath to prevent moisture ingress, but my experience has shown that a large proportion of these homes were built with the black paper type building wrap which commonly fails completely when it has been exposed to moisture after time. As a result a large percentage of plaster homes are at risk of serious moisture damage which can cost thousands of dollars to fix and could substantially devalue the property. The Poly (polystyrene) clad systems although they fall into the same category are much better in respect that the poly itself is quite water resistant. But, it can still fail especially around windows and transition areas if not flashed properly or because of design issues. Most moisture problems can be detected by simply having regular thermal scans, finding out what needs to be done, fixing it promptly before the rot and mould sets in and following up with regular maintenance. Detect-A-Leak endeavours to keep up to date with current cladding trends and information and attends related seminars. Detect-A-Leak are also members of the Cladding Institute of New Zealand (CINZ).
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Avoid the stigma of having your home labelled as a leaky building. Book a cladding moisture inspection NOW..
Exterior Cedar and Plywood Battened Cladding
Problems with cedar clad homes are that they rely heavily on the stain for weather-tightness and to protect the Cedar from the sun. This stain has to be regularly maintained otherwise the cedar will warp crack and split at an alarming rate. Most of the time I recommend painting due to the fact that the paint is a higher build it is going to give more protection and last longer. The photo on the left above shows a complete failure of the stain allowing moisture to penetrate the cladding. The cedar has dried out and split not to mention the window head flashing finishes to short and there are no bungs fitted into the corner batten. Thermal image scanning has greatly improved our ability to perform cedar cladding moisture inspections. If there is hidden moisture in the cladding it's often visible with our Infrared thermal imaging cameras. Owners that take preventative steps now will most likely avoid the damage and depreciation that is very likely to occur if appropriate precautions are not taken. These problems can be avoided by simply having regular thermal scans, finding out what needs to be done and fixing it promptly. We are kept up to date with current cladding information by attending seminars as we are members of the Cladding Institute of New Zealand (CINZ).
Avoid the stigma of having your home labelled as a leaky building. Book a cladding moisture inspection NOW. .
Exterior Brick Veneer and Concrete Block Cladding Inspection, what defects to look for?
Contrary to popular belief brick cladding is not without its own problems. Most common causes of moisture ingress is around the window and head flashing's, often there are none. Brick sills are prone to leaking as was the case in the LH photos above. Newer brick homes have had issues caused by the block layers dropping to much grout down into the cavity which then allows the moisture to transfer into the bottom plate. Two-story brick homes with block bases also have a lot of moisture ingress problems where the brick sits on top of the block base or were the brick joins other types of cladding. As always penetrations of pipes etc need regular maintenance and resealing.
Avoid the stigma of having your home labelled as a leaky building. Book a cladding moisture inspection NOW..
Exterior Weatherboard Cladding Inspection, what defects to look for?
Timber cladding is one of the better claddings for weathertightness but most weatherboard homes in NZ are now quite old and if they are not well designed or maintained they can leak, particularly around windows, gable ends and doors, check the condition of the flashings and make sure the are no gaps especially underneath the sill. Also a lot of the older homes can have warped, cracked, unpainted, missing flashing's and rotten boards as well as ground levels that have crept up over the years. (Ground levels should be 100mm below the inside finished floor height if concrete on the exterior and 150mm if it is garden or soil unless it is tanked). Other problem areas are where extensions and decks join the old with the new. Older homes can benefit also with an energy check.
Avoid the stigma of having your home labelled as a leaky building. Book a cladding moisture inspection NOW. .