Thermal Imaging Home Inspection Decker Home Services
As new technologies are developed, they become available in areas of use far from what they were originally developed for. Thermal Imaging, also known as infrared imaging, is one such technology. Originally developed during the Vietnam War for finding enemy soldiers at night, it progressed to medical imaging, industrial testing and, finally, to the construction trades and building consultation.
It is the newest tool in the Home Inspection profession. Read a recent Chicago Sun-Times article on the value of Thermal Imaging in home inspections.
A Home Inspector, equipped with a thermal imaging camera and properly trained in its use, can find problems with a house that normal home inspectors cannot. These problems include:
- Water intrusion through the houses exterior covering, whether the house has brick, stucco or siding.
- Plumbing leaks inside the house, including leaking pipes, improperly seated toilets, leaky shower pans and bathtubs and water pipe condensation.
- Improperly insulated HVAC ducting that can cause condensation dripping in attics and crawlspaces.
- Improperly installed or insufficient insulation in ceilings and walls.
- Leaking roofs, skylights, roof vent piping and roof vents.
This house had problems with the installation of the siding which lead to water (purple area in the center of picture, right) infiltration behind the siding.
Here we see another example of water intrusion from badly installed siding on the house's exterior, but seen from the inside of the house.
Water intrusion is a common problem and cannot, usually, be found without thermal imaging.
This is an interesting picture. It shows the operation of a 2004 Carrier category 4 high efficiency furnace draft blower. Note the exhaust air duct on the lower right. Thermography is also used to check on the operation of industrial machinery, to determine if there are worn out motors, gears or bearings. This type of preventative maintenance inspection is used to predict equipment failure and avoid the problem of down time while the equipment is being repaired.
Thermal imaging cal also be used to detect uninvited guests living in your house. This picture shows two rats that had taken up residence in the crawlspace of the house. Raccoons and squirrels in attics, as well as termites and carpenter ants in the house's beams and walls can also be detected.
This picture shows, from the inside, an exterior wall of a newer house. The exterior is covered with cement fiber siding. There is only a 3 degree variation in temperature between the drywall covering over the wooden studs (the blue vertical lines) and the drywall covering the insulated stud bay area. Such differences are perfectly normal.
A common public misconception is that thermal imaging can "see through walls". Images like these seem to perpetuate that belief. Remember, it is not enough for the home inspector to use a thermal imaging camera, they also need the necessary training to be able to properly interpret the image. Incorrect interpretation can mean missing problems in the house as well as calling out defects that are not actually there.
These images show radiant heating pipes in the ceiling of a house heated by hot water. Water is heated in a boiler and circulated through copper piping. The piping can be installed in the floors of the whole house, in bathrooms and in basements.
A home inspection that includes thermal imaging is can find leaks in this piping and find problems while they are still small.
This image shows an electrical panel. The breaker in the lower right
was rated for 15 amps, but the circuit was serving a newly installed furnace
blower motor that was rated for 20 amps of load. Undetected, this problem
could have caused serious damage. A good home inspector would probably
have found this problem, but thermal imaging can find it quicker
Thermal Imaging can detect loose electrical connection in the house's electrical system, bad switches and outlets and overheated wiring. Electrical defects are a common cause of house fires and are often the result of older wiring deteriorating or new electrical work that was not done properly.
Thermal imaging can give the homeowner assurance that the house's electrical system is safe and has been properly maintained.
Thermal imaging in home inspection has many uses:
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Finding water leaks, water infiltration in walls, ceilings, floors. |
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Evaluation of the electrical system of the house, looking for 'hot' connections and aging, overheating circuit beakers. |
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Wood destroying insect infestation. |
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Insulation efficiency and coverage. |
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Energy efficiency and use evaluation and energy audits |
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Aged electrical receptacles, circuit breakers, loose wiring connections. |
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Possible areas of mold buildup. |
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Roof leakage. |