Little help please

[rbibler]

Thanks for your time... Just a note: ( Hope all of you have a great year in 2010) May all we find new Ideas and understandings with IR.


The problem... 10 Year old home EIFS siding. The Images are from the interior West wall at 2:30 pm Direct sun load on the exterior from about 11:00 am on... Areas of the stucco do have some cracks most are small. We have had rain in the past few day. Inspection day was dry and about 69 degrees out.

Look at the images posted. Areas were tested with 2 moisture meters.
high moisture at studs and some lower readings in the bays.
upper section of the walls have higher reading of moisture 40% and lower section of the wall are in normal reading 10% moisture.

They have been after moisture problems with this home over the last 8 years.

One of my question is Why do we have a higher moisture content in the upper areas of the walls ? Do you think the Sun thermal loading has any effect on the moisture of the walls ?
Any help guys... Thanks

If you have other Question or have come across this please explain your past finding.

I'm recommending further inspection by an EIFS Expert with coring if applicable. And further inspection of the sheet rock. Small 3/4 inch holes and use a Ridge Probing Snake Cameras to look inside the walls.

Any help guys... Thanks

Best

Ron

[Marvin V. Frandsen]

I am sorry Ron, I do not have an answer to your post. I am interested in knowing what is the best way to get involved in the "energy audit" business. I would appreciate any insight on this matter.

[rbibler]

Originally Posted by mfrandsen

I am sorry Ron, I do not have an answer to your post. I am interested in knowing what is the best way to get involved in the "energy audit" business. I would appreciate any insight on this matter.

Marvin get in contact with

Kevin A. Richardson, CPI®
Level III Certified Infrared Thermographer, #7493
BPI Certified Building Performance Analyst
Maryland Licensed Home Inspector, #29727
InterNACHI Certified Professional Inspector, #04091175

1-888-NSpect | 301-942-4610
www.richnspect.com(Residential Inspections)
www.infrared-diagnostics.com (Commercial Infrared Services)
www.thehomegreenteam.com (Home Energy Performance Audits)

He is going to have more infor in that area.

Best

Ron

[Jason Kaylor]

Ron,

If the customer would want to do the inspection in IR again I would recommend doing it about 15-30 minutes after sun set. I think your moisture (hotter spots) would "pop" a lot better.

As far as moisture content being higher up, my guess would be something as simple as that the leak (or condensation) is forming high up and simply flowing downwards. It is always tough to guess based off a few pictures, and not being there in person.

Do you have any digital pictures of both inside and out of the structure where the IR pictures were taken?

What kind and type of moisture meter are you using?

JJ

[rbibler]

Originally Posted by jkaylor

Ron,

If the customer would want to do the inspection in IR again I would recommend doing it about 15-30 minutes after sun set. I think your moisture (hotter spots) would "pop" a lot better.
Ron... My report will line out condition of further testing for the buyer and seller to approve or disapprove.

As far as moisture content being higher up, my guess would be something as simple as that the leak (or condensation) is forming high up and simply flowing downwards. It is always tough to guess based off a few pictures, and not being there in person.
Ron... This has me at a loss in that on each story the moisture is at the upper area of the walls and not at the lower areas of the base boards.


Do you have any digital pictures of both inside and out of the structure where the IR pictures were taken?
Ron... See the attached photos.

What kind and type of moisture meter are you using?
Ron... I use TRAMEXÒ and DelmhorstÒ

JJ

Best

Ron

[Jason Kaylor]

Ron,

Perfect moisture meter on that Tramex. I personally think they are the best you can buy. The Delmhorst is no slacker either.

Do you know if there is a moisture barrier between the two levels of the structure?

JJ

[Michael Larson]

Ron,

How is that banding attached?

Is there a flashing above it or is is applied over the EIFS?

What are the two vents coming through the banding and are they sealed?

[rbibler]

Originally Posted by mlarson

Ron,

How is that banding attached?

Is there a flashing above it or is is applied over the EIFS?

What are the two vents coming through the banding and are they sealed?

Belly band is a some kind fo a plastic polystyrene. Its around the windows, Doors and is makes up all the Trim for this home. Then covered with the finish coat of stucco.

The vents are from the bathrooms.

The moisture is in the vent area be this complete West face wall has a moisture condition. The builder has replaced the bathroom thinking that was the problem 2 years ago. But my inspection has discovered the moisture its the the complete West inside wall. at the upper side only?
Odd.

Best

Ron

[Jeffrey Moore]

Ron,
What was the inside temp?
Did you take any thermals of the exterior?

My hmmm moments are due to interior high reading temps of only 69,
same as outside temp.

Did the home have a humidifier?

[David A. Andersen]

Moisture is "latent heat".

Heat rises.

Cool roof and thermal bridging causes condensation below the dew point temp.

Studs and higher building elevations cause more condensation.

Want to talk about it. Call me....

[rbibler]

Originally Posted by jmoore5

Ron,
What was the inside temp?
Did you take any thermals of the exterior?

My hmmm moments are due to interior high reading temps of only 69,
same as outside temp.

Did the home have a humidifier?

No humidfier... out side temp around 69...

interior temps high 59 to 68. I had not ran the heater on these images. If I would have ran the heater it would have wash-out the walls. had good delta the way it ways.

Best

Ron.

Other walls in the home have low moisture reading. But I have concerns about these walls. as the same construction applies to all exterior walls.

Best

Ron