Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging is here, and it’s available for your benefit now!
Just as X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI’s have been an invaluable tool in the medical field, infrared thermal imaging technology (FLIR, forward looking infrared) is a breakthrough in the inspection and assessment o
f buildings and equipment. This technology has been used widely in military and industrial applications, and now it’s available to you, at your house or business, at a very competitive price.
An infrared thermal camera is a unique camera that “sees” heat like our eyes see light. It reads the surface temperature of the objects being viewed. After seeing thermal images most people are amazed to see the world of heat we live in. Look at the thermal pictures on this page and you’ll notice the information that thermal imaging provides that can’t be obtained otherwise. And the images just look really neat too!
Another benefit of thermal imaging is that it’s completely safe and can often see anomalies that normally would require destruction or dismantling. For example people would rather not cut a hole in their wall (or expensive wood flooring, etc) to see if they suspect moisture intrusion, only to have to repair the wall and repaint if there’s no moisture found. Thermal imaging can often see the slight temperature differences that a wet wall will produce. Thermal imaging can save our clients much time, money and frustration.
Even though thermal imaging is a tremendous assessment tool it does have limitations. That’s why it’s so important the person using the imager is properly trained and qualified. Eric Babcock with HOME INSPEX is a Level 1 Certified Infrared Thermographer #7681 through the Infraspection Institute. The Infraspection Institute is the oldest and most respected thermal imager training association available.
Below is a list of some common applications for thermal imaging:
- Moisture intrusion (water/sewage leaks) on or within walls, floors and ceilings.
- Identifying hot spots at electrical components (such as poor connections and defective breakers in an electric panel).
- Identifying roof leaks.
- Identifying areas of energy loss such as air leaks at exterior walls, missing or ineffective insulation, widows and doors, and at HVAC systems and ducts.
- Looking for missing/ineffective insulation.
- Identifying hot spots and/or uneven heating on boilers, radiators, coils, steam traps etc.
- Overheating motors, bearings and couplings.
- Identifying flue blockages.
- Identifying areas of pest infestation inside wall cavities such as termites, bees and rodents.
- Night time surveillance.
- Verification of in-floor heating operation.
- Predictive and Preventative maintenance for commercial and industrial equipment.
- Verification that repairs have been performed as intended.
When you should contact HOME INSPEX for thermal imaging:
- When you’re buying a house.
- When you suspect moisture or mold in your house.
- If you want to save money on energy costs by finding out where your building is leaking air.
- During preventative/predictive maintenance at your commercial or industrial property that you work at/maintain.
- Every 6 months for a flat rubber roof.
- After the repair of a component that was found to be an anomaly during a previous thermal imaging, to see if the anomaly has been resolved.
| “Hi Eric. Just wanted to pass along the electrician’s diagnosis of the two excessively warm outlets you found during our thermal scan. As it turns out, one of the hot wires had come loose *in both outlets*. [The Electrician] said he has seen that problem snowball into “hundreds of dollars’ worth of repairs”. And of course, there’s the fire hazard, too. So…..thanks. Had it not been for the thermal scan, we probably wouldn’t have caught it until something bad happened. “ |
If you’d like a free quote, have any questions or would like to schedule your thermal imaging evaluation please call Eric at (804) 744-4663.