When buying, selling or maintaining a house, a home inspection is invaluable. A home inspection can provide more details about a home that most homeowners or sellers may miss. There are many tools used to inspect the home, such as drone video and infrared cameras. Infrared imaging can help see what is going on behind the walls and ceilings, which is something that cannot be seen otherwise. Lifeline Home Inspections will share the benefits of infrared camera inspections and how they help provide a deeper inspection of a home.
Thermal Imaging Camera Working Principle
The infrared camera’s primary purpose is to locate moisture that is hidden behind the wall. Infrared cameras can detect cold and hot spots inside the home. Cold spots indicate mold, mildew, and moisture. The hots spots that infrared cameras detect can be areas with poor insulation or even pests. Termite nests will generate lots of heat. So will rodent activity. When intense cold or hot spots are located in the home, it can help direct the home owner to these sites to tend to needed repairs.
Common Areas to Find Hot or Cold Spots in a House
Roof & Attic: In the attic and along the roof, cold and hot spots are frequently detected with infrared cameras. Hot spots in most cases are the result of insulation that wasn’t installed correctly or is damaged. Hot spots in the attic can also be due to pests. Rodents love to nest in the attic as it is quiet and stay from people. Rodents also like the insulation found there to build their nests. Termites or carpenter ants will also invade the attic as they can gain access through the vents. Both termites and carpenter ants will nest in the attic and damage the wooden framing. Termites and carpenter ants can produce hot spots on an infrared camera. Cold spots along the roof or in the attic are often the result of a roof leak.
Electrical Defects: An infrared camera can also pick up electrical defects that are difficult to discover unless walls are removed to inspect electrical wiring. When looking at an electrical panel you may not notice anything wrong. However, with an infrared camera, electrical faults are detected as they tend to run very hot. With an infrared camera, wires or other electrical components inside the home such as the HVAC system, appliances, light fixtures, and the electrical panel will look bright orange or yellow if a problem exists. When electrical defects are detected, they demand attention to prevent any fires.
Structural Defects: A home may have some defects such as structural damages. At times infrared cameras discover there are some missing rafters or studs in the ceiling or walls. Some structural framing has been found to be soaking wet and covered in mold. Wet wood or mold will appear cold or a dark blue color in infrared cameras.
Buyer, Seller Pre-Inspection & Maintenance Home Inspections in Griffin, Peachtree City, Fayetteville, Newnan, Zebulon, Thomaston, Douglasville & Metro Atlanta, GA
Using infrared cameras during our home inspections, allow us us to help you see things inside the home that may have been missed with the naked eye. For infrared camera inspections and more, contact Lifeline Inspection Services today.
