Termography And House Inspection · Water Leaks · Electrical Faults

Thermographic Cameras are becoming increasingly popular when inspection work is required and it is very easy to understand why: they are able to detect a wide range of problems in a non-destructive manner.

The science behind it…
Cameras operating in the infrared spectrum actually allow us to see thermal energy, just like in the Predator movie! Infrared energy behaves very similar to visible light: it can be reflected, absorbed, emitted and measured. It is longer in wavelength, that’s why it is invisible to the human eye, however we can feel it – as heat.

Detecting Hidden Moisture

Thermographic cameras cannot "see" water but they can detect the temperature difference as water tends to evaporate thus creating a cooler spot:

In the image above you can see a kitchen towel that I have used to dry my hands. Because of the moisture it retained, it is cooler than its surrounding environment as water started evaporating. The same principle applies to a wide range of materials from concrete to drywall.

Detecting Potential Electrical Faults

Heat is a very common symptom of electrical problems. Undersized cables, unbalanced loading, loose or corroded connections are all potential problems that a home inspector can identify in a thermal image.

This is a typical example of a loose or corroded connection at a central breaker panel:

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