1. Track moisture intrusion to its source, not just identify the manifestations of the problem...

2. Repair all causes of moisture intrusion...

3. Re-mediate a home or office in a way that prevents emission of fungi and dust contaminated with fungi from entering a non-contaminated area...

4. Monitor a re-mediated area to ensure the underlying cause of water intrusion has been rectified so fungal growth will not recur...

Midwest Infrared Services, of Somerset, Michigan is a company of dedicated technicians and consultants who can track and assess moisture intrusion, verify problem resolution during repair & monitor properties for future prevention.

Damage to structures is caused indirectly from captured moisture. It can be significant. Moisture is the primary source of attraction for pests, insects, rodents, spiders, and many popular species of termites. Without moisture, most species of termite and most mold forms would not be attracted to the structure.

Orkin Pest Control, a subsidiary of Rollins, Inc., based in Atlanta, is one of the largest residential pest control companies in the country. They have recently set aside over $110 million in contingency for the repair of damage to homes under the company's care caused by termites. There are numerous pest control related lawsuits seeking damage repair reimbursement. What has not been understood by the pest control companies, nor their insurance companies is that in most cases, the homes already had preexisting moisture which would render invalid the warranty repair bonds. Only the infrared imagers can show this.

A second major problem caused from captured water is the humidity, which supports mold and fungus. Molds and fungi are major contributors to poor indoor air quality. Naturally, moisture is in equilibrium with its environment. This suggests that while moisture is present in wood or other building materials, the surrounding atmosphere can also approach saturation. Like 99.9% of all life, molds, and bacteria cannot live without moisture.

Many diseases and many other forms of medical discomfort originate from molds. There are thousands of molds and bacteria types, which contribute to over 50 million allergic illnesses in people in the United States alone. 15 million people feel the effects of respiratory illnesses related to asthma. While billions of dollars are spent annually to treat the symptoms of allergic disease, billions are spent to repair buildings from moisture damage. Most of the repairs do not properly treat the causes of moisture intrusion. Too many structures are being repaired to solve improperly diagnosed construction problem areas.

Molds are hardy and can even grow in freezing temperatures. Molds cannot be easily cleaned up but can be controlled and eliminated when the sources of moistures are eradicated. Molds grow wherever there is a source of moisture, oxygen, and a source of food from a few other chemicals they need. While they often thrive in warmer areas, growth is temperature independent. Hot spots for mold growth in a building are areas of moisture. Therefore, one factor for mold control and management is the level of moisture in the building. Often moisture is the only controllable factor.

The NIEHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last July a joint grant to study a black mold which has harmed 34 infants in Cleveland alone, killing ten of them. This disease has been found in 60 other cases of lung hemorrhage in infants in the past four years.

The fungi Stachybotrys atra, one of a number of black molds grows in water-soaked cellulose, typical in buildings damaged from flooding, plumbing leaks, or roof leaks that soak building materials such as insulation, gypsum board and ceiling tile.

Locating these areas before catastrophic damage occurs greatly reduces re-medial costs and solves problems before public concern becomes un-manageable.