Thermal Imaging Inspections included FREE with every home inspection
Thermal imaging inspections can detect hidden moisture, missing insulation or electrical hot spots. We provide Free Thermal Imaging scans of all your exterior walls, ceilings, doors, windows, skylights and electrical panel as part of your home inspection.
Infrared testing is based on the principle that heat flow in a material is altered by the presence of some type of anomalies. These changes in heat flow cause localized temperature differences in the material surface. The imaging or study of such thermal patterns is known as Thermography.
Heat can be described as the energy associated with the random and chaotic motions of the atomic particles from which matter is composed.
The thermal imaging camera has a lens which focuses on the infrared light being emitted by object camera is pointed at. The camera typically has a phased array which will detect the infrared elements and depict them as a thermogram.
The thermalgram is interpreted by the circuits in the camera and transmitted to the display. Most cameras can display in black and white (grey scale) or in colour (rainbow) depending on settings the operator chooses.
Infrared cameras scan at a rate of 29 to 31 times a second and can read temperature from minus 20 degrees C to over 2000 degrees C. These cameras can detect a change in temperature as small as 0.2 C.
Home inspectors typically will be using the un-cooled type of thermal imaging camera.
Thermal imaging can identify Moisture Intrusion in ceilings, windows and walls. Wet insulation caused by roof leaks can also be identified. This is especially valuable on Commercial Roofs as water penetration can be detected prior to actually leaking into building. Hot spots in electrical equipment can also be detected by professional use of Thermal Imaging camera.
Light is basically divided into two categories for the purpose of thermal imaging, visible light and invisible light. There is an almost infinite range of light beyond human range of vision. Light, as described in physics, is an electromagnetic wave that propagates through space at a fixed speed. This wave is further identified by its wave length, frequency and energy. As displayed in chart to the right the actual wavelengths visible to the human eye is quite small.
Although most moisture problems are visible there are times where an area may have been repaired but there is still a minor leak which has not become visible, this is where a thermal image scan will detect hidden moisture.
As shown in the picture below, thermal imaging using an infrared camera has no problem finding and identifying hidden moisture in the ceiling.
The Thermal Imaging Advantage
Infrared thermal imaging scans can easily verify insulation inside walls and ceilings. The camera will reveal where there is missing, settled, or wet and damaged insulation. As an added benefit, when we scan your home, we can also identify where cold air is coming through your walls.
Home owners now understand the importance of infrared home inspection. From seeing what you are getting in a new home purchase, pre-post renovations, to finding current home problems in making corrective action determinations and cost decisions, to knowing how and where you need to make improvements in cutting down your energy bills making your home as efficient as possible. Realizing that infrared can do this for you and show you the actual images of exactly where you need to spend money and resources make an infrared home inspection very appealing to knowledgeable home owners.
“Today, more and more home owners are becoming knowledgeable about infrared’s benefits”