Surveys & Investigations

Damp Guru Fluorescent Dyes and Traces

Enquire about purchasing any of our dyes for DIY

We import our own products that are specially formulated versions of water tracing dye from the United States of America. These dyes are the traditional fluorescent water tracing and leak detection materials that have been used for labelling studies from the beginning of the century.

• Our Guru-C8a Fluorescent Yellow Green Water Tracer Additive Concentrate EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Approved and for Drinking Water.
• The Guru-C8 Yellow Green, the Guru-33 Orange, Guru-C7 Red, and Guru-14 are EPA Approved and Certified for drinking water.
• The Guru-C8 Yellow Green is highly fluorescent and visible while the Guru-14 Blue is just used visually and is used to give pools a blue tint.
• Our Guru-C0 is a special clear to colour blue requiring a black light and is not as strong as the others nor approved for drinking water. Dilute the Guru-C0 1:40 1:100 for starting ratios, which makes this hard for large projects. Hence, the Guru-C8 1 pint (± 0.8 Litres) treats 125,000 gallons (±430 m³) is hard to beat.
• The Guru-C8 is EPA approved but has a visible colour along with being extremely bright under black light. Since it does have a yellow green visible colour it attracts attention so in some circumstances guru-C0 or other clear blue has to be used.

Protimeter Sureymaster (Moisture Meter / Damp Meter)

Protimeter Surveymaster is a newly developed dual mode moisture meter which allows us to distinguish between sub-surface and surface moisture.

• The Protimeter Surveymaster incorporates two modes of operation - Measure and Search. This combination enables the user to distinguish surface moisture from sub-surface moisture, essential information when trying to establish the extent and cause of a dampness problem.

Measure Mode

Utilising the two-pins at the top of the instrument, a direct reading of the surface moisture level can be read. Measure mode readings are precise and specific to the immediate area of contact of the electrodes. The numerical values displayed in the LCD display represent the actual percent moisture content of wood (% MC) and the wood moisture equivalent (WME) of concrete, dry wall and other materials.

• Pin-type probes measure moisture in wood and other building materials.
• Deep wall probes establish the presence of moisture in wall cavity insulation, sub and surface structures.
• Hammer electrode can be used to measure the moisture level at depths in wood floors.

Salt Analysis

We can determine the presence of electrically conducting salts contamination on site.

• With the use of a Protimeter Salt Analysis kit that enables us to analyse samples of plaster for the presence of soil salts.
• Certain nitrates and chlorides are deposited by evaporation of soil-water (rising damp) on the surface of walls. A meaningful analysis can therefore be carried out provided if a wall has not been disturbed for some time.
• The diagnosis of the origin of salts should not be made on the presence of salt alone, but considering other information available such as the moisture distribution within the building. A high reading of nitrates may signify that evaporation of soil water has continued for a long time. Soil salts are hygroscopic.

Thermal Imaging

The FLIR E60BX thermal image offers one of the most effective ways to detect any form of water damage and to keep track of faulty or damaged insulation

• Detects water damage such as water leaks on ceilings, walls and roof tops.
• Inspect insulation for areas such as energy loss, home inspection and HVAC.

Thermal Images let you see far more than just what is on the surface!!!

Using Thermal Imaging for Building Applications

Inspecting buildings using a thermal imaging camera is a powerful and non-invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings. Thermal imaging technology has become one of the most valuable diagnostic tools for building inspections. A thermal imaging camera can identify problems early, allowing them to be documented and corrected before becoming more serious and more costly to repair.

A building diagnostics inspection with a thermal imaging camera can help:

• Visualize energy losses
• Detect missing or defective insulation
• Find moisture in insulation, in roofs and walls, both in the internal and the external structure
• Detect mould and badly insulated areas
• Locate thermal bridges
• Locate water infiltration in flat roofs
• Detect breaches in hot-water pipes
• Detect construction failures
• Monitor the drying of buildings
• Find faults in supply lines and district heating
• Detect electrical faults

Thermal imaging cameras are the perfect tool for locating and identifying building failures because they make the invisible visible.

A thermal image that includes accurate temperature data provides us with important information about the moisture ingress, mould development, the presence of thermal bridges and the conditions of HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems) which all play a part in the transfer of mould spores which left untreated can cause mould infestation and lead to health risks.

Thermal imaging is an outstanding tool to locate building defects and condensation problems.

Moisture Detection

Moisture damage is the most common form of deterioration for a building. Air leakage can cause condensation to form within walls, floors, or ceilings. Wet insulation takes a long time to dry and becomes a prime location for mould and fungi to flourish.

Thermal Bridges

Other applications include the location of thermal bridges, which indicate spots in a building where energy is being wasted.

A thermal bridge is an area where the building envelope has a lower thermal resistance. It is caused by construction constraints. Heat will follow the easiest path from the heated space to the outside - the path with the least resistance.

Typical effects of thermal bridges are:

• Decreased interior surface temperatures; in the worst cases this can result in condensation problems, particularly at corners.
• Significantly increased heat losses.
• Cold areas in buildings.

Finding Water Infiltration in Flat Roofs

• Thermal imaging is also used to detect water infiltration in flat roofs.
• Water retains heat longer than the rest of the roofing material and can easily be detected with a thermal imaging camera very late in the evening or at night after the rest of the roof has cooled down.
• Tremendous savings can be made by repairing wet areas rather than replacing the entire roof.

Locating Leaks in Floor Heating

Thermal imaging is an easy-to-use tool to find and check pipes and tubes for leaks, even when the water pipes are laid in the floor or under plaster. The heat of the pipes radiates through the surface and the pattern can be easily detected with a thermal imaging camera.

Quality Assurance

• Thermal imaging technology is also used for quality assurance and the inspection of new buildings.
• During construction-drying, thermal images make it possible to determine the progress of the drying procedures so that necessary measures can be taken to speed up the drying process.
• If this process can be accelerated and it can be proven, with the help of a thermal imaging camera, that the construction is totally dry, the building can be surrendered faster to the client.

Building Renovations

Thermal imaging provides valuable information during the renovation of buildings and monuments. Framework constructions hidden by mineral plaster can become clearly visible in a thermal image. It can then be decided whether exposure of these structures is useful. The detachment of plaster from walls can also be located in a very early stage so that preservation measures can be taken.

Plumbing

Thermal imaging is a perfect tool to detect blocked or broken pipes and other plumbing relates issues. Even if the pipes are laid under the floor or inside a wall it can be possible to determine the exact location of the problem by having hot water flowing through the pipes. The heat will radiate and the problem area will become clearly visible on a thermal image.

HVAC Installations

Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems need to be well maintained. They need to deliver air at the correct humidity and temperature and filter any indoor pollutants. Thermal imaging can help to determine whether HVAC systems are operating properly. When working incorrectly they can cause poor indoor air quality.

Leak Detection

Thermal imaging inspections provide us with a picture of a specific condition of a building. Infrared cameras allow us the ability to see and locate what the naked eye is unable to detect. Infrared images can capture thermal anomalies from moisture or water damage, roof leaks, behind stucco etc. Infrared Scans are able to locate water and moisture intrusion in buildings by thermal patterns.

A Building Envelope survey can locate water leakage or moisture in buildings and flat roof surveys for water intrusion. Thermal Moisture Imaging Infrared surveys can pinpoint water damage, by locating leaks in buildings, Planters, garage structures etc.

Wall and ceiling damp not visible to the naked eye

Roof moisture ingress

Water leak ingress into wall via window installation defect

The speed of using infrared, and the larger areas covered rapidly by an Infrared camera, can save time and money by providing a faster, more efficient and more reliable survey. An Infrared camera can detect moisture located behind interior walls, under the right conditions. The temperature difference created by the presence of moisture on the inside surface of a wall will appear differently than the surrounding area.

We highly recommend that property owners or their insurers use Infrared Imaging cameras for moisture detection under the following circumstances:

• After any water damage event like a flood, broken water lines, equipment failure, roof leaks, etc.
• Before warranty expiration on new construction.
• Before acquiring a building suspected of having hidden moisture damage.
• When isolated walls are covered by new finish materials out of context within a building.
• When suspected plumbing leaks have occurred from in-slab water supply and/or waste lines.
• Locating hidden leakage and/or dampness under resilient flooring.
• Locating wet areas in non-accessible crawlspaces.

This picture illustrates moisture ingress (red marks).

A leak has occurred in a concrete slab caused by the skylight.

The underside of a flat roof with torch-on that has failed.

Flat roof with torch on that has been compromised and allowing ingress in.

This picture shows a leak before it causes damage. Imagine us going through your property saving you time, money and unnecessary inconvenience.