Home inspectors are adopting new tools to assist in the inspection process. Among these tools is thermal imaging technology, which gives more information about the condition of the home to the inspector. Infrared cameras allow inspectors to see heat signatures in an area to help diagnose problems in a home. Let’s look at how thermal imaging in home inspections helps provide more information.
Thermal Cameras Offer a More Detailed Report
With an inspector who uses infrared imaging, you’ll receive a more comprehensive inspection report complete with thermal images that will give you more detailed information about your home.
On a thermal camera, energy is associated with a particular color. Warmer colors represent warmer areas of the home and cooler temperatures show cooler colors on an image. Any color disparities and abnormalities will be assessed by the inspector to determine if they indicate a problem.
What Problems Can Thermal Cameras Detect?
Thermal imaging cameras provide clues to issues that might have gone unnoticed if relying on the naked eye for the assessment. Issues such as hotspots, excess moisture, and insulation problems can be revealed with thermal imaging technology. Let’s look at some of these issues in greater detail.
Thermal Imaging in Home Inspections Can Locate Excess Moisture
From basement flooding to mold growth, excess water leads to a host of problems that are pricey to fix. Discovering these issues during a home inspection could save the homeowner significant money. What can’t be seen with the naked eye might be detected with an infrared camera. Cooler pockets may point to standing water and/or excess moisture in the area, which is often a sign of a leak.
Electrical Hotspots
Another important issue that can be detected with thermal imaging is electrical hotspots. These hazards show up on a thermal camera as abnormally warm areas. In the home, It’s critical to take care of these issues immediately because electrical problems are dangerous and can lead to a house fire.
Thermal Imaging Can Help with Energy Efficiency
Any openings in your home in the form of cracks, holes, or spaces will cause heat loss problems and decrease your home’s energy efficiency. With air leaks, it’s hard to keep your home comfortable and you likely have higher heating and cooling costs. A thermal camera can detect cooler areas around doors and windows and show places that need to be resealed.
Choose a Professional Who Uses Thermal Imaging in Home Inspections
If you’re looking for a home inspector, find one who uses an infrared camera. A home inspection is a helpful tool to really understand your home. Ask your home inspector if he or she will use a thermal camera as part of their inspection.
Inspect Co. offers home inspections, including thermal imaging inspections, to our customers in the Carolinas. Contact us to request an appointment.