There’s been a lot of talk about the use of thermal imaging on property inspections. In this post, I hope to clarify what thermal imaging can, and perhaps more importantly can’t, do for you.
What Thermal Imaging can do for you
Using an Infrared Camera, a trained inspector can uncover issues such as moisture intrusion, missing insulation, air leakage, leaky pipes and electrical issues. Infrared Cameras translate heat signatures of objects (e.g. water and building materials) into colors. For example, a warm wall will appear in an orangish color and a water leak in that wall may appear as a blue color.
In the images below you can see on the left a ceiling as visible to the naked eye and on the right through an Infrared Camera. The orange hot spots are where there is missing insulation in the attic.
Limits of Thermal Imaging
Contrary to popular belief, Infrared Cameras cannot see through objects. It doesn’t give an inspector x-ray vision (or any other superpowers) and can’t guarantee that every issue will be uncovered. For best results, you’ll need a trained inspector and proper temperature conditioning. Without proper training, and environmental conditioning (there needs to be a temperature differential for IR to be effective), an inspector may misinterpret the images and/or miss problems altogether.
Hire an Infrared Certified Inspector
We use thermal imaging on nearly all of our inspections, at no extra cost. We strongly advise that you hire an inspector, preferably us, who will use thermal imaging to your benefit. It is important that whatever inspector you use is trained and certified in the technology. I am trained and certified in IR Thermography by InterNACHI (the world’s leading association for home inspectors.).
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