Thermal Imaging & Home Inspections

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Application Examples

Moisture & Water Damage

It is often possible to detect moisture and water damage in a house by using an infrared camera. This is partly because the damaged area has a different heat conduction property and partly because it has a different thermal capacity to store heat than the surrounding material

Example Image

The image shows extensive water damage on an external wall where the water has penetrated the outer facing because of an incorrectly installed window ledge.

Jeremy Goodmurphy - Thermal Imaging

Insulation Deficiencies

Insulation deficiencies may result from insulation losing volume over the course of time and thereby not entirely filling the cavity in a frame wall.
An infrared camera allows you to see these insulation deficiencies because they either have a different heat conduction property than sections with correctly installed insulation, and/or show the area where air is penetrating the frame of the building.

Example Image

In the image, insulation in the roof framing is lacking. Due to the absence of insulation, air has forced its way into the roof structure, which thus takes on a different characteristic appearance in the infrared image.

Drafts

Drafts can be found under baseboards, around door and window casings, and above ceiling trims. This type of draft is often possible to see with an infrared camera, as a color airstream cools down the surrounding surface.

Example Image

The image shows a ceiling hatch where faulty installations has resulted in a strong draft.




Faulty Contacts in Electrical Sockets

Depending on the type of connection a socket has, an improperly connected wire can result in a local temperature increase. This temperature increase is caused by the reduced contact area between the connection point of the incoming wire and the socket, and can result in an electrical fire.

Example Image

The image shows a connection of a cable to a socket where improper contact in the connection has resulted in a local temperature increase.