Businesses in every industry must constantly seek new ways to improve their products or services and provide better value to their customers. This means finding and utilising technologies and techniques that create better, faster and more cost-effective ways to deliver that value. Thermal imaging is one of those technologies for professional building and pest inspection businesses, enabling them to deliver more accurate and comprehensive reports, using less intrusive methods, faster.
Here is a quick guide to thermal imaging and how it helps professional building and pest inspectors provide better reports.
How does thermal imaging work?
Thermal imaging is a non-destructive, non-intrusive way of imaging using the infrared radiation produced by all objects, rather than the light reflecting off them, as in photographic imaging. An object’s temperature determines how much radiation it emits, and warm objects visibly stand out clearly against cooler objects.
This has made thermal imaging incredibly useful in forensics, medicine, navigation and surveillance as well as in building inspections.
Applications in building and pest inspections
Thermographic cameras detect long-range infrared radiation to produce images that allow inspectors to spot minute differences in temperature and defects beneath large surfaces, such as floors and walls. Being able to identify structural problems without destroying anything makes the inspection process faster, less intrusive and more cost-effective, and means underlying problems can be dealt with before they become critical defects.
In building and pest inspections, thermal imaging is used to detect:
- Roof leaks
Leaky roofs can indicate significant building damage, but can be hard to assess when water pools in different areas of the building. Thermal imaging helps inspectors see points of outflow and any pooling of excessive moisture.
- Plumbing leaks
Moisture leaking from showers or sinks can cause serious damage if left unchecked, both by degrading the building’s structural integrity and leading to potentially dangerous mould.
- Termite infestation
Termites are a leading cause of significant property damage – and one of the most difficult problems to spot. Thermal imaging has improved inspectors’ ability to identify infestations – air pockets created by the termites can be spotted with thermographic imaging.
- Defective insulation
Insulation is an important investment for those who want an energy-efficient home, and like any investment, it must be maintained to deliver the best long-term returns. Thermal imaging is ideal for inspecting insulation, allowing inspectors to see the flow of temperature throughout rooms and spot any defects where it’s escaping.
Arranging a pre-purchase building and pest inspection? We recommend checking that the company uses the best technology and techniques to provide accurate and comprehensive reports. You’ll enjoy greater peace of mind knowing no issue will go undetected when it comes to your most important investment!
If you have any questions about professional Building and Pest Inspections, we’re here to help – contact us to speak with one of our friendly inspectors or arrange an inspection today.
