Infrared thermography is a powerful tool that can be used in a variety of ways to inspect buildings. It can detect areas of insulation that are missing or depleted, help locate air leaks, and even reveal water leaks that can cause structural damage and mold growth.
A thermal imaging inspection is an excellent complementary service to offer as a part of your visual home inspections.
Moisture
Moisture in a wall’s insulation can lead to high energy bills due to thermal loss or gain. It can also cause health problems by promoting mould and mildew growth or posing structural risks to a building. The good news is that moisture issues can usually be detected with a thermal imaging inspection.
Unlike air leaks, which can be difficult to detect without tearing through walls, insulation gaps caused by moisture often stand out as hot or cold spots on the image. These areas can be identified quickly and easily, leading to quick repairs and a return to a comfortable environment.
A thermal imaging inspection can also identify spots of poor insulation where the material has become displaced, damaged, or missing over time. This can occur at wall junctions, where walls meet roofs, or in attached garages. Depending on the issue, it may be possible to fix the problem inexpensively by resealing or replacing the affected insulation.
Thermal imaging can also help locate spots of water intrusion in a building’s structure, including the framing and plumbing. These issues may lead to mold and rot, which require costly repairs or replacements. In addition, the use of a thermal camera can also reveal any asbestos-containing materials that may be present in older buildings, allowing them to be safely removed and abated.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural, dirt-cheap fibrous mineral that was once used in a huge variety of building and household products for its strong and inexpensive insulating and fireproofing properties. It’s now a major health risk, however, and is linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
If your building was built before the 1980s, you’re likely to find asbestos in some of your insulation materials – particularly attic and wall insulation. While many old asbestos insulation is safe, any that has been disturbed or damaged is likely to release harmful asbestos fibers into the air.
While a visual inspection can help identify suspicious material, it’s best to have any suspect insulation tested by a professional. A certified asbestos inspector can safely take a small sample of the material and send it for testing.
A thermal imaging camera is very effective in evaluating the condition of insulation. It can show hot or cold spots, as well as areas where insulation is sagging, wet, damaged, missing or blocking air infiltration. It’s also very useful in assessing the conditions of electrical and mechanical systems that can generate excess heat. Identifying these issues early can prevent electrical fires and equipment failure. It can also save you a lot of money on your energy bills.
Air Leaks
A thermal inspection can help homeowners find areas of air leakage that may not be visible during a limited visual home inspection. These can include fireplace flues, wall vents, and argon gas windows. These points of air leakage can reduce a home’s energy efficiency and cause discomfort to its occupants.
When a leak is present, the area surrounding it will be cooler than the rest of the room. This can be identified by a thermal camera as it will show up as a cold spot on the image. In this way, it’s possible to pinpoint potential problems that could lead to costly repairs.
Whether the insulation was installed correctly or not, it’s common for some gaps to occur over time. Thermal imaging can help uncover these gaps, which may be due to changes in the structure of a house or modifications that were made after it was insulated.
It’s also a great tool for identifying where the insulation contractor didn’t thoroughly cover an attic or where gaps exist between the attic and the house. These issues can significantly reduce a home’s energy efficiency, especially during the winter.
In addition to revealing missing insulation, HVAC air flow and equipment problems, radiant heating malfunctions, and compromised roofing, thermal imaging can help inspectors identify electrical problems that might cause fire hazards. This is because overloaded circuits, faulty wiring and malfunctioning equipment generate excess heat that is often detectable with a thermal camera.
Energy Efficiency
Thermal imaging offers a valuable additional service to any home inspection, complementing the visual examination with an infrared scan. Thermal imaging helps to identify areas of air leakage and energy waste, allowing for quick and inexpensive remediation. For example, in some cases, poor insulation or gaps between wall studs can cause drafts that are costly to heat and cool the building. Thermal images show these cold spots that can easily be corrected to reduce energy use and improve occupant comfort.
Infrared images can also reveal moisture issues that are difficult to find with a standard visual inspection. Wet basements, mold growth, and broken seals on double-paned windows are all detected by thermal imaging because they create a different temperature signature from the rest of the walls and ceilings. Early detection of these problems allows for prompt repair and minimizes damage.
A thermal imaging inspection can also detect areas where the wall studs are bare, which indicates that the insulation is missing or has been moved by pests or weather. This can lead to significant energy loss and should be addressed promptly. In addition, a thermal imager can locate the source of drafts, indicating where air is leaking in or out of the building. This can also be a sign of insulation failure and should be addressed immediately to improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort.