Infinity Home Inspections Thermal Imaging Inspection Page Page

The home-buying market depends on professional Home Inspectors to provide detailed inspections for property sales. While visual inspections are thorough, there is only so much the human eye can see and detect. To determine if a home is experiencing plumbing or HVAC system leaks, the best Home Inspectors complete thermal imaging for home inspection.

One of the first items taught during Home Inspection training, regardless of the State, is learning how a building is constructed. This is known as building envelope science, or how the different layers of a building work harmoniously together to form a solid structure.

Infrared inspection is one of these vital tools for experienced Home Inspectors. But what exactly is a thermal imaging inspection? Are infrared home inspections the same as thermal imaging inspections? What tools are used, and are there best practices for following infrared thermography inspection?

These are all questions that we’ll explore in the information below.

Home Inspectors complete thermal imaging for residential property buyers and sellers across the United States. This imaging test is conducted using a thermal imaging camera. The test aims to detect warning signs of water leaks within any residential or commercial property’s foundation, walls, attics, or hard-to-see spaces.

A thermal imaging camera can see in the infrared spectrum and detect warm and cold heat signatures. The colors of a warm image are white and red, while a cold image is yellowish and blue. In case you’re not aware, water and moisture absorb heat energy, which causes them to have a cool signature. The thermal imaging camera detects these signatures to identify potential water leaks.

The process of completing a thermal camera inspection follows a basic structure. The Home Inspector will pass the thermal image camera over the surface of the interior and exterior walls, ceilings, floors, and all other accessible areas of the property.

As the camera passes over each surface, it produces a thermal image translated into various colors depending on its detected temperature signature. These color variations help the home inspector identify potential problem areas that may require further investigation.

Once the thermal imaging inspection is complete, the home inspector will review the images with the buyer or seller and point out any areas of concern.

A typical home inspection is a visual review of the overall conditions of a property. It will include a detailed inspection of the home’s electrical, plumbing, HVAC, foundation, roofing, landscaping, and exterior features. While the inspector will use several specialized tools to gauge the quality and integrity of these systems, an average home inspection does not include thermal imaging.

Thermal imaging is often an elevated service – that can be conducted as part of a regular home inspection or as a standalone service. While a thermal imaging home inspection can identify potential problem areas that may require further investigation, a standard home inspection cannot.

While thermal imaging is not a replacement for a regular home inspection, it’s a great complement that can provide additional peace of mind. Suppose customers are buying or selling a property. In that case, thermal imaging home inspections are a valuable tool to help them avoid costly repairs.

There are many benefits of thermal imaging for home inspections, but these are three of the most important:

Water leaks can cause extensive damage to a property if left unaddressed. The problem is most of them don’t visually appear until the damage has been done. Thermal imaging can help identify potential water leaks early on – by detecting the minuscule amounts of moisture before they have a chance to cause significant damage.

Unlike other types of inspection methods, thermal imaging does not require any demolition or opening of walls. The thermal imaging camera needs access to the surface area in question. This makes thermal imaging a very non-invasive inspection method that won’t cause any damage to the property.

A thermal imaging inspection can be conducted quickly and easily in just a few hours. And because it’s such a non-invasive method, there’s no need for the buyer or seller to be present during the inspection. This makes thermal imaging a very convenient option for busy buyers and sellers who want an accurate picture of the property without disrupting their schedule.

A thermal imaging camera is a device that uses infrared technology to create thermal images or heat signatures. Thermal images are created by translating the thermal energy emitted from an object into a visible image. This thermal energy is invisible to the naked eye, but a thermal imaging camera can detect it.

Thermal imaging cameras come in various shapes and sizes but use the same basic principle. The camera uses a lens to focus on the thermal energy emitted by an object and then translates that thermal data into a visible image.

During a thermal imaging home inspection, the inspector will use the camera to scan the property for any areas of concern. The thermal images produced by the camera will be used to identify potential problem areas that may require further investigation.

Thermal images can also create a thermal map of the property. This thermal map can detect patterns or trends indicating a potential issue.

There are two main types of thermal imaging cameras.

• Uncooled thermal imaging cameras use a sensor to detect the thermal energy emitted by an object. This type of camera is less expensive and can be used for various applications.
• Cooled thermal imaging cameras use a cryogenic cooler to cool the sensor. This helps to increase the sensor’s sensitivity and allows the camera to produce higher-quality thermal images. Cooled thermal imaging cameras are more expensive than uncooled ones but are often used for more sensitive applications.

During a thermal imaging home inspection, the inspector will use the thermal imaging camera to scan the property for any areas of concern. The thermal images produced by the camera will be used to identify potential problem areas that may require further investigation.

During a thermal inspection, infrared inspectors rely on thermal imaging cameras to identify potential hazards. These hazards could be anything from electrical issues to moisture leaks. Inspectors must take the time to explain the potential dangers to their clients and ensure they understand the importance of safety.

While thermal imaging is a powerful tool, it does have its limitations. Thermal imaging can only detect surface temperature changes and cannot see through walls or other obstacles. Additionally, thermal images can be impacted by environmental factors such as wind, sun, and rain.

Here at Infinity Home Inspections, we are aware of these limitations and consider them when interpreting thermal images. Suppose an inspector is unsure of what they see in a thermal image. In that case, we take additional measurements to confirm their findings.

Thermal imaging is a great tool that can help you find issues that you might not be able to see with the naked eye. However, it’s important to remember that thermal imaging is not a replacement for a visual inspection. There are many things that thermal imaging can’t see, such as electrical issues, plumbing leaks, and termites. As such, performing a visual inspection in addition to a thermal scan is essential.

Most leaks don’t happen overnight. It may take weeks or months for an issue to turn into a full-blown plumbing issue that can damage the structure of a building. However, if left undetected, a small leak can cause catastrophic damage when it’s discovered.

That’s why thermal imaging home inspections are necessary for buyers and sellers of residential or commercial properties. Like any other home inspection service, using the right tools to complete the inspection, document findings, and communicate with clients helps a Home Inspector build strong relationships with the homeowner or future buyer.

Please get in touch with Infinity Home Inspections today if you’d like to learn more about our Home Inspector’s solutions.

Yes. That’s essentially what their primary task is during thermal imaging inspections. A thermal imaging camera can be used to detect moisture in a variety of ways. For example, thermal images can identify areas of high moisture content, structural defects, heat loss, roof leaks, leaking pipes, water leaks, air conditioner leaks, and damp walls or ceilings. They don’t determine electrical faults or failures with electrical systems. Thermal images can also monitor the drying progress after water damage or leakage has occurred.

Yes and No. Thermal imaging can see through walls in some cases. However, the ability to see through walls depends on various factors, such as the type of wall material and the thickness of the wall. Additionally, thermal imaging can only detect heat signatures. This means it can’t be used to see electrical wiring or plumbing pipes. Home buyers trust inspectors to use a thermal camera with a physical inspection to identify energy loss and explain temperature differences. Sometimes, missing insulation can be the cause of infrared imaging data.

Unfortunately, there’s no guaranteed way to detect snakes using thermal imaging. However, thermal imaging can identify potential hiding places for snakes, such as areas of high moisture content or cracks in walls. Thermal images can also monitor the drying progress after water damage.

A home inspection is intended to provide a detailed overview of the quality and condition of a residential or commercial property. Thermal imaging is crucial because it can help you detect issues that you might not be able to see with the naked eye. Thermal imaging can also monitor the drying progress after water damage has occurred.