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Infrared technology now part of home
inspection service
By
Larry Thompson
President
NPI Premier Inc, dba National Property Inspections
Special to GwinnettForum.com
NORCROSS, Ga., March 6, 2007 -- Thermography is the use of an infrared
imaging and measurement camera to "see and measure" thermal
energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared, energy, is
light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to
be detected by the human eye; it's the part of the electromagnetic
spectrum that we perceive as heat.
Unlike visible light, in the infrared world, everything with a
temperature above absolute zero emits heat. Even very cold objects,
like ice cubes, emit infrared. The higher the object's temperature,
the greater the infrared radiation emitted.
Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. Infrared thermography
cameras produce images of invisible infrared or "heat"
radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement
capabilities.
Nearly everything gets hot before it fails, making infrared cameras
extremely
cost-effective, valuable diagnostic tools in many diverse applications.
And as industry strives to improve manufacturing efficiencies, manage
energy, improve product quality, and enhance worker safety, new
applications for infrared cameras continually emerge.
National Property Inspections has incorporated infrared technology
into home and business property inspections.
National Property Inspections of Norcross offers thermal imaging
as a part of our services in residential and commercial property
inspections. Using a radiometric infrared camera, we scan all interior
and exterior surfaces of a home.
The camera detects even minute temperature changes that can indicate
and isolate the presence of moisture, areas of heat loss, plumbing
leaks and their sources, electrical faults in wiring and in the
panel and even locate areas of substantial termite damage or ant
infestation.
Thermal imaging can pay for itself in the first heating season
by locating where substantial heat loss is occurring through missing
or inadequate insulation. The photo above shows stud bays where
insulation was not installed and heated air is escaping.
Exterior moisture penetration on roofs, at eaves, valleys, and
flashings and at grade level can be detected by thermal imaging.
It can also be instrumental in determining the source of the moisture,
often WITHOUT expensive and messy invasive examination. This photo
(at left) shows a lighter area on the roof that indicates where
moisture penetration is occurring, and probably significant damage
to framing is present.
Missing insulation is not an uncommon find in new construction.
A quick scan of the interior of a new or older home can spot walls
and ceilings that are under insulated or not insulated at all. This
leaves the unsuspecting homeowner or buyer to foot the bill for
higher energy costs. The photo at right shows a joist bay in the
master bedroom of an upscale home in Gwinnett that is without insulation.
Here comes the sun on Sunday, about an hour
later!
By
Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MARCH 6, 2007 -- Sunday, March 4, 2007, marked a milestone.
Brack |
For it was exactly one year from the date Georgia set years ago
to participate in the 2008 Presidential Preference Primary. So on
this, the first Tuesday in March, next year, you'll be selecting
your preference in the party primary of your choice for president
from the many candidates that have so far announced.
Of course, by the first Tuesday next March, you may have already
voted, if our presently-meeting State Legislature decides to change
the date, and "move up" the primary to an earlier date
in February. For what at one time several years seemed like an "early"
primary by voting in March, now Georgia could vote even sooner if
lots of other states decide to vote earlier too.
Of course, by next March, no telling how many of the so-called
presidential contenders will still consider their race viable. We've
already seen people dropping out of the race even before it really
begins, as national candidates face the biggest hurdle of them all
for now -- raising enough money to stay a contender.
National politics have taken such a turn that this year I am even
thinking of contributing my three dollars by checking off on my
tax return to finance public campaigns for president. It's the least
I can pay, if only it would make the candidates stop the frantic
money searching and begging. It won't, of course.
At one time I didn't like the government financing presidential
campaigns. Yet with the way Big Money is becoming even bigger in
determining the candidates, all of a sudden governmental financing
seems to make more sense than private wealth doing the picking of
the candidates for the rest of us.
If only we could legislate that the only money candidates could
spend to become president was the hand-out from the government!
These days this seems like a far more positive way to select a president
than the present system.
We presume that the major aspect against us having government-financed
campaigns is the ingenuity of the American people. Somehow, even
if candidates were limited on how they would spend money, someone
would find a way around it.
Therefore, we might as well give up the government-financed
campaigns. Perhaps someone has a better way.
* * * * * *
March this year is bringing us a new wrinkle: an earlier move to
Daylight Savings Time. Next Sunday, March 11, at 2 a.m. comes the
big time switch. Suddenly, on Sunday morning, the day will seem
like it's arriving an hour later.
All the additional morning light we have earned since last December
will be wiped out by this 25 hour day on March 11. On March 6, the
sun rose at exactly 7 a.m. Next Sunday it'll be 7:54 a.m. here before
the sun will rise. If you get up early, buy batteries for your flashlight
as you get the paper, walk the dog, or get in your car.
And it'll be 7:42 p.m. that night before sunset, which came about
6:37 on Monday. Enjoy your morning daylight the rest of this week.
It'll be April 21 before the sun will rise in Gwinnett at 7 a.m.
again.
We welcome the Daylight Savings Time. At least after April 21.
 The
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Wants no Boston "Big
Dig" tunnel worrying Georgians
Editor, the Forum:
A recent tally by another publication showing a substantial approval
of the proposed state sales tax for funding transportation issues
in and around Atlanta caught my eye. I, for one, am not in favor
of the proposals. They include items like Boston's "Big Dig"
tunnel from Georgia 400 to I-675; a "free" Peachtree streetcar
at taxpayer's expense; state supporting the MARTA system; and other
such nonsense.
We are taxed "collectively" enough and don't need to
compete with the Europeans on how much tax we can pay before we
suffocate.
I am in favor of a limited access toll road from I-85 to I-75 north
of Atlanta. I think it would be a huge success. Building it similar
to Georgia 400, with toll gates, would pay for it relatively quickly
and not burden our populace as a state penny sales tax would.
I'm curious how many other of my fellow Metropolitans know of,
and support or reject the proposed state penny sales tax for transportation?
-- Kevin S. Moffitt, Lawrenceville
"Dudge"
Pruitt was early advocate of business progress
Editor, the Forum:
I appreciated your article on former County Commission Chairman
"Dudge" Pruitt. He worked very closely with us at Peachtree
Corners, Inc. in the early days to bring business to the county.
Probably one of the things that may have created some of the anti-vote
was his help with the Kaiser-Aetna Business Park, an area that was
the forerunner of much to come. Thanks for tracing him down. He
was due much credit in the early days of trying to "make things
happen" in Gwinnett.
-- Ruth Strickland, Norcross
Five
forums scheduled soon on solid waste in Gwinnett
Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, on behalf of Gwinnett County, is
updating the County's Solid Waste Management Plan as required by
State law, and will hold five public Community Forums to gain public
input on issues such as trash collection and recycling collection.
As Gwinnett grows and changes, a trash collection and recycling
system must be developed to meet the needs of today and the future.
Citizens are encouraged to participate in one of the upcoming Community
Forums and share their thoughts about the type of garbage and recycling
collection system they would like to see in Gwinnett's future.
These forums are set at the following places:
- Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m. at the George Pierce Community Center,
55 Buford Highway, Suwanee.
- Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Dacula Activity Building,
735 Old Auburn Road. Dacula.
- Tuesday, March 20, 7 p.m. at Rhodes Jordan Park, East Crogan
Street, Lawrenceville.
- Monday, March 26, 7 p.m. Pinckneyville Community Center, 4650
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross.
- Thursday, March 29, 7 p.m. Mountain Park Activity Building Aquatic
Center, 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain.
Additional resources such as the current Solid Waste Management
Plan and the history of Solid Waste Management in Gwinnett can be
found at www.gwinnettcb.org.
Dacula
seeks relief from county on transportation
From dirt farm lanes to suburban traffic, the transportation infrastructure
in eastern Gwinnett County and the City of Dacula has improved little
in the past 40 years.
The Dacula City Council voted a resolution last week calling on
the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and the Georgia General
Assembly to join with the City of Dacula in beginning an expedited
program to alleviate these traffic problems by instituting traffic
infrastructure improvements along Harbins Road, Dacula Road, Winder
Highway and replacing or widening the bridge over the CSX Railroad.
Within the next seven to ten years, 400,000 more people are expected
to move into Gwinnett County, most in eastern Gwinnett, and the
City of Dacula's population is expected to double. Without a serious
effort, transportation problems and public safety issues will increase.
Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks stated that, "There have been few transportation
improvements in the Dacula and eastern Gwinnett County area in the
last forty years, except for the extension of Georgia 316 to Athens
and a few County intersection improvements. The City of Dacula is
spending its 2005 SPLOST allocation to improve traffic flows along
City/County streets including widening the intersection of Harbins/Tanner
Roads and beginning the widening of McMillan Road, a connector road
from Harbins to Winder Highway."
Suwanee seeking sellers
for weekly farmers' market
If you grow it, they will come--to the Suwanee Farmers' Market.
The City of Suwanee is seeking farmers, backyard gardeners, and
horticultural enthusiasts to participate in the weekly Suwanee Farmers'
Market at Town Center Park. The farmers market will be held from
8 a.m.-noon each Saturday, May 19-September 29 (except for September
15).
Now in its fifth year, the Suwanee Farmers' Market offers a variety
of fresh seasonal produce, fruits, flowers, plants, canned goods,
and other agricultural products.
The market is limited to individuals who register in advance and
have themselves grown the products they have to sell.
The City will conduct a site visit to the growing area of all farmers'
market applicants. For more information about guidelines and fees
as well as an application, visit the City of Suwanee website, www.suwanee.com.
Police discovered
pot growing in new homes in nice areas
Police recently discovered several houses in Gwinnett, Hall and
Jackson Counties that were major marijuana factories. They were
new houses in nice subdivisions. These photos show 'renovated' basements.
In addition to growing grass, they were stealing electricity by
tapping into the power lines before the meters. Note the elaborate
and costly details in providing the atmosphere for the marijuana
plant to grow.
Gwinnett Medical Center
wins GHA Gold Standard Award
Gwinnett Medical Center has earned another addition to its impressive
quality award list, receiving an honor from the Georgia Hospital
Association's (GHA) long standing Performance Measurement System,
CARE. GMC was named a "Top CARE Hospital" from the Georgia
Hospital Association, the gold standard for excellence in patient
care, for maintaining its standing in the top quartile of its peer
group for at least three years.
The award represents GMC's outstanding achievement, as well as
sustained improvement and performance in six key areas of clinical
quality, patient safety and financial management.
CARE hospital award-winners are selected based on statistical analysis
of quality and cost data regularly submitted to CARE for reporting
and benchmarking purposes. The analysis measures both process (how
well the hospital delivers care) and the outcomes or results of
that care.
The CARE Program began in 1992 with a grant from the Robert Woodruff
Foundation in response to member needs for comparative data for
benchmarking and quality improvement. Since that time, hundreds
of volunteers have devoted thousands of hours to developing the
performance assessment indicators and report formats that are currently
used in the CARE program.
Shane's Rib Shack,
Norcross
"Don't just notice that there's a new Shane's Rib Shack on
Peachtree Industrial Boulevard north of Holcomb Bridge Road. Stop
in and do dinner! My husband and I just ate at their new location,
open 10 days ago. I ordered the chargrilled chicken salad which
was very tasty and my husband got the BBQ Chicken sandwich which
he enjoyed with a side salad. Both meals together were under $15.
The decor is upbeat and comfy with fun road signs. They also have
the patio in place for spring outside dining. Maybe I'll order their
cobbler next or go there for a leisurely lunch."
-- Cindy Evans, Duluth
- An invitation: What
Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your
best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have
read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus
what book you plan to read next. --eeb
Chickamauga
significant for Cherokees and in Civil War
Chickamauga, in Walker County, is historically significant for
its importance to the Cherokee Nation and for the bloody Battle
of Chickamauga that nearly changed the course of the Civil War
(1861-65). The city was incorporated in 1891 and since the early
1900s has been a textile-mill town. Nestled near the foot of Lookout
Mountain about 10 miles below the Georgia-Tennessee state line,
Chickamauga is also a bedroom community for Chattanooga, Tennessee,
and a tourist attraction. In an effort to attract visitors, business
owners agreed to a makeover of the town's façade in the early
1970s.
Chickamauga Battlefield |
The town is named for the area's original occupants-Native Americans
known as the Tsikamagi Cherokee. ("Chickamauga" is a phonetic
spelling and pronunciation of "Tsikamagi.") The Tsikamagi
settled in an area known as Crawfish Springs, which was named after
Chief Crayfish of the Cherokee Nation. Five hundred Tsikamagi fought
with General Andrew Jackson's soldiers against the Red Stick Creek
Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (March 27, 1814) in Alabama.
In 1820 the Tsikamagi built the first courthouse in Walker County,
but they were forced to leave the area in 1838 as part of the infamous
Trail of Tears.
The Lee and Gordon families greatly influenced Chickamauga's post-Cherokee
history. In 1836 Gwinnett County native James Gordon established
a plantation at Crawfish Springs and built a gristmill two miles
east of town on Chickamauga Creek. Lee and Gordon's Mill, which
contained the area's first general store, was situated near a blacksmith
shop and stagecoach stop. From 1840 to 1847 Gordon built his Doric-columned
brick house (known today as the Gordon-Lee mansion), which overlooks
Crawfish Springs.
The Battle of Chickamauga, fought September 18-20, 1863, involved
more than 128,000 Confederate and Union soldiers. With 34,000 casualties,
it was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War; it was also the South's
most decisive victory. In 1890 much of the battlefield was established
as the nation's largest national military park. Upon Chickamauga's
incorporation as a city, the north-south streets were named after
Confederate and Union generals, including Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet,
John B. Hood, and Thomas T. Crittenden.
Consider yourself lucky
if you had a happy childhood
"One of the luckiest things that can happen to you in life
is to have a happy childhood."
-- Agatha Christie, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.
Send your thoughts, 55-word short stories, pet peeves
or comments on any issue to Gwinnett
Forum for future publication.
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© 2007, Gwinnett Forum.com. Gwinnett Forum
is an online community commentary for exploring pragmatic and sensible
social, political and economic approaches to improve life in Gwinnett
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