We've been reminded of the damage that water can do to some forms of asbestos-containing materials. The clean up costs for this type of damage can be incredible and buildings are often shut down for weeks, even months. Additionally, even if the building materials are asbestos free, water leakage can create the perfect environment for microbial growth, potentially leading to compromised air quality.

If you have materials that could be wetted by a roof system failure, you should be concerned. By the time you notice a problem, you may already have a significant and costly asbestos fiber release episode or microbial problem on your hands.

How a Roof Leak Can Cause an Environmental Crisis

When water seeps through a roof it can soak into sprayed-on asbestos insulation or ceiling tiles. The weight of the water, its softening effect, and its effect on cohesion can cause delamination or collapse. The cellulose nutrition along with constant moisture can also create a microbial growth site. As these materials dry, asbestos fibers can become airborne in dangerous quantities, and the water can be so contaminated with asbestos that it must be filtered before being disposed.

Here's the good news. Most cases of water damaged asbestos, particularly from roofing failure, can be prevented.

The Institute has long been a proponent of periodic roof moisture scans using Infrared Thermography (Thermal Scans) for early detection of roof failure. If done correctly, it can provide information that can both limit the chances of water caused asbestos fiber release and reduce the costs of standard roof maintenance.

How Thermal Scanning Can Protect You

Thermal scanning, or infrared imaging technology, has seemingly endless applications because it allows you to "see" radiant temperature differences. If you were to place your hand on a cool wall, even for just a couple of seconds, and then remove it, a high resolution infrared imaging system would detect and display the image of your very slightly warm handprint on a video screen.

Doctors use this technology for detection of breast cancer, infections, and other diseases. It can detect problems early and pinpoint their location, enabling precise treatment before the disease becomes life threatening.

Just like in medicine, thermal scanning of a roof can catch problems early, reducing the damage and enabling less radical treatment.

Thermal scanning of a roof system is conducted after dark, when the roof begins to cool in the night air. Any moisture-laden insulation within the roofing system will retain the sun's heat much longer than the dry insulation and will appear as warm areas on the imaging system. The infrared technician then marks the spot and makes a photo-record of the scanned image to include in your comprehensive final report.

It's Hard to Argue Against the Value of Roof Scanning

It should be obvious that if you have asbestos-containing material that could be damaged by water, you simply cannot tolerate a leaky roof. You probably would also agree that without thermal scanning, the first sign of roof failure you're likely to see is a puddle of water on the floor - after it has passed over or through asbestos-containing materials.

If only to lower the asbestos risks, we could rationally advise the use of infrared roof scans. But there is more - roof scans can benefit you in ways other than asbestos exposure protection.

Thermal scanning of roofs is used by many commercial and industrial building operators as a means to reduce and contain roof repair costs by precisely locating the point of failure. This enables partial roof replacement at a fraction of the cost of total replacement. It will significantly lower the life-cycle costs of your roof (you can keep your roof in place for more years). Roof scans, used preventively, can also protect costly equipment from water damage.

Many private businesses, some Fortune 500 companies, incorporate infrared scans as part of routine building maintenance.

So, with thermal scanning you can kill three birds with one stone. It provides asbestos protection, reduced costs in roof repairs and life-cycle costs, and limits the risk of water damage to your building and its contents. The bottom line on periodic roof scans is, they will save you money.