Thermal Imaging during a home inspection…What it can uncover.

Since long, thermography (also known as In-fared) and thermal imaging in calgary have been available. This is something I believe should be mandatory when doing a home inspection. It provides so much value for my clients that I include it free with every inspection. It is a great way of identifying issues and pretty cool.

It was amazing to discover all the uses of these cameras when I was certified in FLIR Thermography. Everything, from diagnosing cancer to electrical. Technology is amazing, isn’t?

Because it is such an interesting topic, I thought I would share how I use thermal imagery during my inspections to find my prey… The “construction defect”.

Missing wall insulation

In winter, the cold areas caused by missing wall insulation are visible. This photo shows that the wall temperature is significantly higher than the surrounding wall areas.

Insulation for the Attic

The master bedroom picture was taken in spring when the sun shone through the roof. This created a warm attic. It is difficult to miss the missing insulation in the attic. The homeowners didn’t know why their bedroom was so hot in summer.

Inadequate Garage Ceiling Insulation

Many people have purchased a new house only for the room above the garage to be extremely cold in winter. It is impossible to see the insulation so it is best to test the house during winter. The thermal camera can detect temperature differences and provide documentation to support the owner or home builder in making repairs. You can see the difference of 4 degrees Celsius between the bedroom area and the hallway in this house.

Foundation Water Leaks

Thermal cameras can show temperature but also wet areas if the conditions are right. Evaporative cooling occurs when the air is dry. The heat leaves the surfaces with vaporized water and the surface becomes colder than the dry areas. This basement was affected by a water leakage from the sprinkler system. Although there was not much evidence, the thermal data shows the wet carpet and my hot foot prints. It’s pretty cool, huh?

Plumbing Leaks

The shower head piping in this bathroom, newly renovated on the 2nd floor, seemed a bit loose to me when I looked at it. A little suspicious, I used my thermal camera to scan the ceiling below the living room and found the area where water was dripping onto it. My moisture meter confirmed that the ceiling was wet. The ceiling was not stained with any substance that could indicate a leak. Without the camera, it would have been difficult to spot this.

Rodent Activity

Sometimes I find evidence of rodent activity in a home, but it is difficult to determine the extent of the problem. The rodents can often tunnel through insulation in walls or attics, creating air pockets and causing the insulation to be displaced. This tool can help you see the extent of the problem. This is a great tool for detecting the problem. I have had mice fall on my inspections and this gives me goosebumps.

Radiant Heating Performance

A camera can also quickly inspect the radiant in-floor heating’s performance and placement. Although the location of heating elements is obvious, it can be hard to determine if the floor is warm or cold by using your hands. This is a great way of ensuring that the heating elements are working properly.

In Summary

So, Thermography is a cool camera. They have improved a lot over the years and are getting better every day. It is important to have an inspector with a background in construction to help you understand the home and also to be able to give the best inspection possible by using the right tools.

These are just a few of the many capabilities these cameras have. These cameras can also detect hidden Stucco water damage and identify an overheating wire, circuit breaker, or receptacle.