Thermal Imaging
Thermal cameras can only sense temperature, as opposed to the human eye or conventional cameras which see only light.
Thermography is a "heat diagram", or a visible picture using certain infrared wavelengths. This imaging technique is a powerful and noninvasive means of monitoring and diagnosing some conditions in buildings.
Infrared imaging can provide immediate documentation of water and moisture intrusion of interior finished building surfaces. Water on building materials will typically evaporate and cool by about six degrees. A wet spot can be observed with the infrared camera as a distinct cool spot. This spot is then verified to be wet by using a noninvasive moisture meter. Missing insulation can be detected as a hot spot on a warm day. Thermal imaging can detect missing or disconnected duct work, overheated wiring and a variety of other building defects. This is included at no extra cost on all of our full home inspections, as is a visual inspection for mold.
Take a look at some of the hidden problems uncovered using thermal imaging:
THIS WALL LOOKS NORMAL TO THE NAKED EYE, BUT...
THE THERMAL IMAGE SHOWS MOISTURE INTRUSION
NOTHING LOOKS UNUSUAL HERE, BUT...
THE THERMAL IMAGE SHOWS MISSING INSULATION
THIS BREAKER SEEMS FINE, HOWEVER...
IT IS MORE THAN 50% HOTTER THAN IT SHOULD BE
IS THIS MOLD ACTIVE?
YES, IT IS GENERATING HEAT
EVERTHING NORMAL HERE?
NO, SOMEONE INSTALLED DRY WALL OVER THE HVAC DUCT, OVER SEVEN YEARS AGO
WHEN THE CARPORT WAS ENCLOSED...
ONLY HALF THE WALL WAS INSULATED
