Thermal Imaging Home Inspection

March 30, 2013 Comments Off

HOW THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA WORKS

Thermal imaging detects heat patterns. All materials on earth emit heat energy, in the infrared portion of the spectrum. Objects with a temperature above absolute zero (- 273° C) emit infrared radiation which is not visible to our naked eye. Unlike visible light, in the infrared world everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat. Even very cold objects, like ice cubes, emit infrared. Unfortunately, the unaided human eye cannot see in the infrared.

Thermal Imaging Camera enables us to see and measure heat. The Thermal imaging camera is extremely sensitive and has the ability to detect small temperature changes in a building and is a useful tool when detecting termite nests in the home, possible termite damage and areas of moisture within the house. When termites invade buildings, the normal heat patterns of the walls, floors and roof are changed due to the presence of termites.

How is it done?  A moisture audit


Water is THE killer of houses. Moisture damage is the most common form of damage to a house.  It is very possible that insulation inside your home has had water damage of some type.  This damage does not require a visible leak or may only happen when it rains from a particular direction.  Wet insulation takes a long time to dry and becomes a prime source of mould and fungus.  Insulation, when wet, has an insulating property of almost zero and can actually be pulling heat out of the house like a sponge.  This is easily detected with a thermal imager.  Excess condensation, like in an attic, is similarly visible with a thermal imager.  Inside the house, water can be coming from sources as various as the roof, plumbing leaks inside walls, foundation cracks, windows, doors, flashing, stucco – you name it.

A thermal imager “sees” it all.

Moisture in the walls creates conducive conditions for termite infestation!

Termites will use any means of getting into a house, and need a very small crack to do so, as small as 1/64 of an inch! Improve the drainage and ventilation to reduce the conducive conditions for termite infestation.

They are searching for food, and homeowners provide a buffet!  Any wood product outside the house, such as a wood pile or mulch, will do the same thing! Homeowners should pay strict attention to what they place around, near or next to their houses.

Things that cause an anomaly are numerous. They often occur from:

  • Air infiltration – due to inadequate building envelopes, like caulking and insulation, or air leakage from mechanical equipment like the air exchanger or duct work, and windows and doors.
  • Moisture intrusion – water retains its heat longer and appears warm.  A below-ground leak, or siding or roof,
  • Specific density changes – the ability of a substance to retain its heat will change when deterioration from rot or Termite infestation occurs.
  • Changes in fluid flow – increased or decreased fluid flow are apparent during the heat exchange in hydronic heating equipment.
  • Equipment performance – the first sign of impending equipment failure is increased heat, like a circuit breaker in an electric panel box.

For Thermal house inspection, call Quality Termite Control Sydney on 1800 656 343 NOW!

 Thermal Imaging Home Inspection / Termite Thermal Inspection

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