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Infrared Inspection Service
Infrared Thermography
is a powerful non-invasive means of observing a building. Infrared cameras see
"heat", our natural eyes see "light", and therefore infrared cameras by definition can see what our eyes cannot see. In the
application of moisture surveys, building materials that are wet will be subjected to the process of evaporation and therefore
be represented as a "cooler" image. This will alert the inspector that there is a "suspect" area and it will be documented
using infrared photography and natural photography in the report. This survey can be combined with a general home inspection
to include an infrared survey of the buildings walls, ceilings, and floor for moisture.
This thermogram shows us that
darker colored areas are cooler in temperature and therefore are consistent with moisture and will be quantitatively verified
with a moisture meter
Why Perform Infrared Home
Inspections?
Combined with traditional home inspection techniques, the infrared inspection method
reveals substantially more of the house than can be perceived by the naked eye and conventional inspection tools. Many things can't be be seen with only a flashlight.
Examples of infrared inspection applications:
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Water intrusion: scanning interior surfacesof a building with an
infrared camera can reveal excess moisture due to plumbing leaks, roof leaks, leaks around windows, etc. Wet areas of
building materials cool when energy is transferred during the water evaporation process; therefore, a wet (“cooler”)
area will stand out from the surrounding dry (“warmer”) surface.
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Insulation deficiencies: appreciable temperature differences, due to variations in thermal energy (heat) transfer, allow for detection of deficient or missing insulation when scanning ceiling and wall surfaces.
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Roofing leaks: scanning roof coverings can reveal water intrusion and accumulated
moisture below the surface. Due to its thermal properties (high thermal capacity),
water typically gives up heat at a much slower rate than the surrounding roof materials. The areas of accumulated moisture
can therefore be detected when scanning the roof surface. This type of roof inspection is best done in the evening or
early nighttime after thermal energy imparted during the daytime is transferred or released.
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Electrical systems: deficiencies within the electrical system can be made visually apparent by use of
an infrared camera. For example, a deficient connection between electrical components can result in resistance which
will manifest in an apparent temperature elevation when compared with similar types of connections under similar load conditions.
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Structural issues: differences
in thermal capacity, conductivity, and other intrinsic qualities of building structural
components can allow for their detection when scanning walls, floors, and ceilings with an infrared camera. Under the right
conditions, missing structural components, and portions of structural components which are damaged (to the extent that their
intrinsic qualities are significantly changed), can be detected.
NOTE: Although infrared thermal imaging is a far better
diagnostic tool than the naked eye, it does not guarantee 100% accuracy, unless removal or destruction of components can be
achieved to validate findings. When possible, other tools are used to verify thermal images, but even with these considerations
we do not claim to have x-ray vision. Conditions may change and cause the apparent temperatures revealed on thermal images
to be different at any given time.
Buy With Your Eyes Open With A Complete Home Inspection & Infrared Thermal Imaging
A Leaking Bedroom Ceiling: The thermogram clearly shows a leaking bedroom ceiling. The leak was assumed by
the owner to originate in an upstairs marble-paneled bathroom in the $3 million home. The estimated cost to rip out and replace
the marble to access the plumbing was estimated at $80,000! Further IR investigation absolved the bathroom and traced the
source of the leak to a clogged weep hole under the threshold of a door leading to an upstairs porch.
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