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Thermography and Home Inspections

Our EXTENDED HOME INSPECTION package includes a full thermal scan of the home

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What is thermal imaging?  Despite what you might have heard or seen, a thermal or infrared (IR) camera can't see through walls or ceilings. Instead, it displays colour images based on the surface temperatures of various materials. To illustrate, think of a digital camera that requires thousands of points (or pixels) to form a photo.  An IR camera on the other hand, requires thousands of points (temperature readings) to display a thermal image. Warmer surface temperatures show up as brighter colours and cooler surface temperatures will show up as darker colours on the IR camera's display.  These can be evaluated by a qualified operator to determine what images are typical and where there might be an issue.

Thermography and Home Inspections, Thermal Imaging, Thermal Imaging Camera, Infrared Imaging, Infrared Camera, Thermal Camera, IR Camera

Can anyone operate a thermal imaging camera?  Anyone can purchase and "use" an infrared camera, but proper training and experience are required to operate one properly and interpret the images it produces accurately.  The cost of an IR camera can run from $300 to $50,000 where the main factors that push up the cost are resolution followed by features.  Proper infrared training for a level 1 certification course can cost $1,500 to $2,000.  There are many camera manufacturers and various models flooding the market with cheap devices that can create a thermal image, but not all of these can or should be used for building diagnostics. Our professional grade IR cameras are specifically built for building diagnostics with 76,800 (320 x 240) and 110,592 (384 x 288) pixel resolution. Vahn Balabanian is also a Certified Level 1 Thermographer who has performed thousands of thermal scans on buildings since 2011.

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What problems can a thermal imaging camera find in buildings?

● non-typical supply air duct leaks or blockages
● active moisture problems (ie, roof, exterior wall/building envelope, and plumbing leaks)
● inadequate/non-existent or significantly compromised insulation
● non-typical heating and cooling losses
● abnormal heat from an appliance or electrical system component
● possible vermin or pest infestation
● poor construction/structural defects (under fastening and/or missing framing members)
● damaged and/or malfunctioning radiant heating systems

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Home Inspections and Infrared Thermography

Performing thermography or a thermal scan of a home can add value to your home inspection with another layer of technical depth and possibly locate problems that may not otherwise be found by just a visual inspection.  Our Essential Home Inspection does not include a full IR scan of the house but our inspector can use the IR camera during the home inspection in a localized area on a discretionary basis.  Why does Solex Group charge extra for a full thermal scan of a home?  Mainly because the professional grade IR cameras we use are expensive to purchase/maintain and it takes additional time to perform/report on if any issues are identified.

Some examples of what an IR camera can reveal

Active Moisture Leak (Plumbing)

​No visible signs of an issue when looking at this ceiling.  But the IR camera revealed an unusual thermal pattern and a moisture meter was used to confirm active dampness. 

Active Moisture issue 

​No visible signs of a problem when looking at this ceiling.  The IR camera revealed an unusual thermal pattern and a moisture meter was used to confirm active dampness from condo unit above. 

Active Moisture Penetration 

​Thermal imaging camera reveals active moisture penetration into face sealed Exterior Insulation Finishing System (EIFS). Active moisture penetration confirmed by using a moisture meter.

Missing Insulation 

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Thermal imaging camera reveals missing insulation in this (cathedral) ceiling cavity.  



Note:

This thermal scan was performed in the summer season.  If it were winter, the area missing insulation would show up as dark colours (cooler surface temperatures).  

Missing Insulation 

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Thermal imaging camera reveals missing insulation in this (cathedral) ceiling cavity.  



Note:

This thermal scan was performed in the summer season.  If it were winter, the area missing insulation would show up as dark colours (cooler surface temperatures).  

Missing insulation in exterior wall

​No visible signs of an issue when looking at these bedroom walls with the nakid eye.  But the Infrared camera revealed cooler surface temperatures between stud cavities in this exterior wall. 

Missing Insulation in roof cavity

​Thermal imaging camera reveals missing insulation in this (cathedral) roof cavity. Note: This thermal scan was performed in the summer season.

Radiant Heating 

​Thermal imaging camera being used to confirm proper operation and location of hydronic heating pipes in this bedroom floor.

Active Roof Leaks 

​Thermal imaging camera reveals a thermal anomaly when viewing the ceiling.  A moisture meter was used to confirm active leaks from roofing system above.

Plumbing issues 

​No visible signs of an issue when looking at this toilet. But the Infrared camera helped us determine that the toilet was connected to the hot water supply. 

Electrical Hazards or Faults 

​Thermal imaging camera reveals overheating wires which is a potential fire hazard.  Note:  these wires were undersized for the application

More Information 
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