GRIFFINSPECT Home Inspections

• 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.
  
  NOTE: Although infrared thermal imaging is a far better diagnostic tool than the naked eye, it does not guarantee 100% accuracy, unless removal or destruction of components can be achieved to validate findings. When possible, other tools are used to verify thermal images, but even with these considerations we do not claim to have x-ray vision. Conditions may change and cause the apparent temperatures revealed on thermal images to be different at any given time.

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Infrared and Mold

Infrared thermographers must recognize the limitation of infrared surveys in mold detection. It is always best to recommend that the client also hire an expert mold inspector. In all types of buildings, moisture information gathered by an infrared thermographer is extremely valuable to the mold inspector because it narrows down the search for mold, so long as the IR survey is performed quickly after the event. This saves the client time and money. Experts in both fields are needed – one dealing in moisture detection and the other in mold detection. The final objective is to help the client determine whether and where water damage has occurred and if so, whether there is a mold problem in the building. The cost of hiring both experts is minimal when the owner considers the preservation of structural integrity of the building and safeguarding the health of its occupants.

Buy With Your Eyes Open With A Complete Home Inspection & Infrared Thermal Imaging

NOTE: Although infrared thermal imaging is a far better diagnostic tool than the naked eye, it does not guarantee 100% accuracy, unless removal or destruction of components can be achieved to validate findings. When possible, other tools are used to verify thermal images, but even with these considerations we do not claim to have x-ray vision. Conditions may change and cause the apparent temperatures revealed on thermal images to be different at any given time.