** Thermal Imaging **

Thermal (or "IR", short for Infrared) Imaging is an advanced, non-invasive technology that is achieved with a special piece of equipment known as an Infrared Camera. This special camera is a non-contact, non-destructive device that can detect small but crucial differences in temperature from one area, or object, to another. These temperature variations show up on the camera's viewing screen as "cold" or "hot" spots, producing a multi-hued or colored image.

Thermal Imaging has real implications for how building inspections will be conducted. The industry is slowly being transformed from a "visual" inspection service to a "technology" powered service that can satisfy even the most robust seller and buyer questions. The implications are so great that the perception that home inspectors can "kill" a deal will be thing of the past because with technology answers can be provided quickly, non-destructively (no tearing into walls), and in budget (hundreds of dollars versus thousands).

So why is Thermal imaging important in existing home and building inspections? Simply put, an Infrared camera in the hands of a properly trained inspector will harness the power of technology to provide you with a superior inspection. This is innovative inspection technology available today that gives you the power to see what no one else can see. Before infrared technology that brown stain on the ceiling might be a leak in the roof, after infrared technology that brown stain (after it was verified using Thermal Imaging that it is not active), now just needs a little paint touchup and not major repairs. That is just one example of how the power of technology can literally save buyers, sellers and homeowners thousands of dollars by getting answers to their questions, rather than creating more questions.

Under the proper conditions, a Thermal Imaging Scan combined with traditional inspection techniques may reveal substantially more information and hidden problems that often cannot be detected in the course of a traditional visual inspection and conventional inspection tools.

• Lower your energy bills
• Keep small problems from becoming major problems
• Locate faulty system components before they cause expensive down time
• Maximize your maintenance expenditures

• Water intrusion: scanning interior surfaces of a building with an infrared camera can reveal excess moisture due to plumbing leaks, roof leaks, leaks around windows, etc. Wet areas of building materials cool when energy is transferred during the water evaporation process; therefore, a wet ("cooler") area will stand out from the surrounding dry ("warmer") surface.
• Insulation deficiencies: appreciable temperature differences, due to variations in thermal energy (heat) transfer, allow for detection of deficient or missing insulation when scanning ceiling and wall surfaces.
• Roofing leaks: scanning roof coverings can reveal water intrusion and accumulated moisture below the surface. Due to its thermal properties (high thermal capacity), water typically gives up heat at a much slower rate than the surrounding roof materials. The areas of accumulated moisture can therefore be detected when scanning the roof surface. This type of roof inspection is best done in the evening or early nighttime after thermal energy imparted during the daytime is transferred or released.
• Electrical systems: deficiencies within the electrical system can be made visually apparent by use of an infrared camera. For example, a deficient connection between electrical components can result in resistance, which will manifest in an apparent temperature elevation when compared with similar types of connections under similar load conditions.
• Structural issues: differences in thermal capacity, conductivity, and other intrinsic qualities of building structural components can allow for their detection when scanning walls, floors, and ceilings with an infrared camera. Under the right conditions, missing structural components, and portions of structural components, which are damaged (to the extent that their intrinsic qualities are significantly changed), can be detected.

This image shows just how much heat the shingles on a common asphalt shingle roof can absorb on a hot summer day. Excessive heat is the enemy of asphalt shingles; It is important to provide adequate attic ventilation to keep the temperature of the attic and roofing shingles as low as possible.

This is a side view of the house from above.With infrared vision you can clearly see the elevated temperature in the attic space.

The sensitivity of the FLIR BCAM is simply amazing!
These are actual handprints just recently left on a sheetrock wall!

Verifying no leakage is present at the connection of the steel vent pipe into a masonry chimney is a snap with the FLIR BCAM

Here's an excellent example of the effectiveness of Thermal Imaging technology. The picture on the left shows a light brown stain on the ceiling of a first floor kitchen. On the right, the same area when viewed by the FLIR BCAM showed temperature anomalies that were then validated with a moisture meter. Further investigation lead to a leaking shower pan in an upstairs bathroom above the kitchen!

Another great image that illustrates the sensitivity of the BCAM: You can clearly see the plumbing pipe through the foundation and tile floor. A qualitative infrared camera like this can be an invaluable tool for diagnosing a variety of buried pipe situations including; radiant heating systems, hot water pipes, steam pipes and other underground elements.

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