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See your home as you’ve never seen it…in infrared!
Infrared camera use,also known as thermal imaging is relatively new to the home inspection industry. ITI (infrared thermal imaging) once used primarily in the military has made it's way into the industrial and finally residential sector. With ITI technology, I can see beyond the spectrum of "natural light" (which is the light that bounces off all object we can see under the sun or under a light bulb), and measure the temperature variances of any surface to determine where heat, cold, moisture and even mold be occurring in undesirable places. As human beings, we are limited to seeing light only in the visible spectrum called white light. This is the light that bounces off everyday objects whether that light is being emitted by our Sun or an artificial source such as a light bulb. Without ITI, we cannot to see surface temperature variances, and it is the ability to see these variances that allows us to more-accurately identify potential problems in your home that would have otherwise been missed. The unique aspect of seeing surface temperature variances is that such variances can be caused by issues that may lie below the surface of a floor, behind a wall, or above a ceiling - places that are "out of sight" and are thus out-of-mind. Also, surface temperature variances can be caused by airflow such as cold air seeping under a door or warm air leaking from central air ducts. The air itself changes the surface temperature of objects that come in contact with the air. Surface temperatures can also be changed by living organisms such as mold, mildew and household pests. Because these organisms often thrive in places that cannot be seen by the naked eye (such as behind walls), the use of ITI technology allows us to pinpoint exactly where a problem area is in your home without the need for any immediate invasive damage to the structure of your home. Thermal Imaging Technology allows us to more-accurately identify problems with your home's electrical systems. By being able to pinpoint "hot spots" in fuse boxes and household wiring, we can provide you and your electrician with detailed imagery that will help the electrician to identify defects and make repairs more quickly to save you money. In short the use of ITI in home inspections gives the extra advantage of finding problems such as missing or wet insulation, hidden electrical hot spots, disconnected HVAC ducts, plumbing leaks or clogs.
Why I offer infrared inspections
An infrared inspection can identify and document:
• electrical faults before they cause a fire.
• overloaded and undersized circuits.
• circuit breakers in need of immediate replacement.
• missing, damaged, and/or wet insulation.
• heat loss and air infiltration in walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors.
• water and moisture intrusion that could lead to mold.
• possible pest infestation.
• hidden roof leaks, before they cause serious damage.
• air conditioner compressor leaks.
• under fastening and/or missing framing members.
• structural defects.
• broken seals in double pane windows.
• energy loss and efficiency.
• dangerous flue leaks.
• damaged and/or malfunctioning radiant heating systems.
• unknown plumbing leaks.
• overheated equipment.
A picture is worth a thousand words:
Infrared Camera shows more than meets the eye
blue areas are cold air coming in from below.
Thermal imaging better determines the actual problem as opposed to merely identifying symptoms. I include this visual documentation within your inspection report providing hard proof in color. Have me perform a thermal inspection on the home that you own, or are buying, building, selling or leasing.
