Locating the source of water leaks in buildings constructed with non-absorbent materials, such as glass, pre-cast concrete panels, and stone facades can be expensive with little to no progress to show for the investment. Intruding water travels quickly through these types of buildings and leaves behind a trail of damage without clues of its entry point. Conventional infrared surveys that look for entrained moisture in the exterior layer of a building envelope often yield inconclusive results, leaving the building owner to contemplate the next step.

This presentation highlights a recent infrared inspection of a building that was experiencing the exact symptoms of water intrusion mentioned above. By utilizing the building’s HVAC system combined with an interior and exterior infrared survey of the building envelope, the origin of water intrusion was accurately located on the exterior of the building. The inspection also provided insight to the materials used for construction and the overall performance of the building.