Nowhere in the water damage recovery process, is the use of hi-tech equipment more important than during the initial, progressive, and final inspection phases.This equipment locates the general extents of the water migration, determines the specific amount of water saturation, defines the wicking levels up the wall, and reads current and changing environmental conditions which helps determine the proper equipment to dry the loss. Front Range Restoration utilizes all the equipment discussed within this site and has personnel trained to use this equipment on every loss. More importantly, Front Range Restoration has experts within the company ready to aid with fungal, bacterial, and moisture concerns. Moisture Sensors:The moisture sensor simply detects water within wet carpet and pad. Although it can be used for moisture detection in other items such as drywall and floor decking, those uses are outside its designed intention. The moisture sensor works by measuring conductivity, or the lack thereof, within the material the two pins are inserted into. The moisture sensor provides no measurement of moisture, so its uses are typically limited to defining the affected area of moisture under wet carpet and pad. The picture to the right shows a moisture sensor in use.
Moisture Meters:These devices have long been the standard of inspection in the water damage restoration industry. Most work by measuring electrical resistance between two points. Penetrating or Invasive Moisture Meters Penetrating or Invasive moisture meters contain two pins that penetrate the item being measured. Although some principles have changed regarding the technology, the basic concept remains constant. Two pins enter the item being tested. The pins emit a light electrical current and the resistance between the two pins is measured. The device compares that resistance to that of a dry standard of the same type material and computes a level of moisture for the material being tested. Several accessories exist to compliment the moisture meter. |
|
Non-Penetrating Moisture Meters Non-penetrating moisture meters simply shoot a radio frequency signal into the item being measured without penetration. Some also use a set of conductive pads for transmission of electrical current through the material. The radio or electrical transmission conductivity is measured and the moisture is ultimately calculated through the capacitance or resistance. These meters can be very useful for many reasons but it is arguably accepted that this measurement is less accurate than those produced by the pin type meters. The argument usually lies within the acceptable level of deviation more than the accuracy between the two types. One of the most valued benefits of the use of the pinless moisture meters is that it is usually completely non-destructive. It is also very quick compared to surveys using the pin-type meters. It is often of benefit to measure large areas of damage with the pinless meters but to confirm the readings in inconspicuous areas with a pin-type meter. This type of meter can also cause false positives on walls or ceilings with metal studs, metal ties, special coatings, metal corner beads, foil faced insulations, pipes, ducts, and other conductive items. This becomes especially crucial in commercial water damage losses since the wall framing is typically metal. False negatives can also be a problem under certain circumstances where air gaps are encountered.
Thermo Hygrometers Thermo Hygrometers are essential tools in the assessment of water damage scenarios. The thermal hygrometer, in our firm, digital thermal hygrometer, is used to measure specific qualities of the air inside and outside the structure. These devices measure temperature and relative humidity. From that data they calculate dew point temperature, vapor pressure, and specific humidity. The measurement of these items is crucial in establishing baseline environmental conditions as well as monitoring the progress of the alteration of this environment to establish optimal environmental drying conditions |
|
Some of the Tools We Use for the Initial Inspection |
|
Contact Us at: 866-674-8990 Toll Free 303-257-8056 Cell E-mail: eric@frontrangerestoration.com Web: www.FrontRangeRestoration.com
|
|
Water Damage |
|
|
Hammer Probe The hammer probe is one typical moisture meter accessory that is commonly used during the initial and progressive assessment of water damaged properties. This device utilizes a slide hammer to push two teflon insulated pins deep into water damaged sub flooring, wood flooring, wood framing, timbers, and other items requiring deep readings. Insulation pins allow the technician to reach deeper areas such as insulated wall cavities or under cabinets. The sides of these pins are insulated so the reading is taken only at the tips. |
|
A hammer probe being employed for |
|
|