Reliable home inspection & Thermal Imaging Inc. is one of few inspection companies in Ottawa to offer thermal imaging as one of our many services. Although infrared cameras have been around for decades, it is only recently gaining popularity in the field of building inspections. Once you see what this technology can do, you will wonder how we ever did without it!
While thermal imaging is an extraordinary tool, which greatly helps reveal potential problems in a building or its components.
As mentioned above, while this technology is powerful in aiding the detection of wet or moisture-damaged areas, it is not a moisture meter. It only detects temperature anomalies, which may result from moisture. The data is interpreted by our trained professionals to identify areas that require further investigation.
And, while the infrared camera does detect wall studs and other components typically hidden from view, it isn’t x-ray vision at work. Along the same principles described above, it detects the thermal signature of different materials. Nevertheless, much useful information can be inferred from the data.
Overall, thermal imaging greatly reduces the risk of hidden problems by identifying areas that require further investigation. Although many issues that would not have been found during a standard visual inspection have been detected with an infrared camera, there are some limits to what can be detected by reading thermal anomalies. There are also limitations created by some materials that do not conduct heat adequately enough to emit detectable levels of thermal differences.
With the help of thermal camera under the right conditions with the right procedure the experienced thermographer may detect the following problems:
- Moisture behind a surface
- Leaks in air ducts or plumbing
- Missing or damaged insulation
- Problems with radiant heating
- Unexpected air leaks from exterior
- Furnace, AC and blower motor problems
- Abnormal heat from an appliance or electrical system
- Unwanted animals in the attic and crawl space
- Problems with sealed windows
- Structural problems, such as missing or damaged studs
We use the latest Thermal Imaging Cameras: TESTO-Germany(model # 885-2) and FLUKE-USA
we also use Moisture Meter : GE -Protimeter-Surveymater-USA