5 Benefits of Thermal Imaging in a Home Inspection

• By bk-digilatics
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Often, as a homeowner, you rest easy after scheduling a home inspection. They think everything will be covered by the home inspectors. But, what you don’t realize is that regular home inspections still have the potential to have human error. In fact, if you haven’t scheduled your home inspection with a certified, insured, and licensed home inspector, there’s a higher chance of this error. So, what can you do about it? It is better to schedule a thermal imaging home inspection. It is definitely not a new thing, but yes, it is usually overlooked by most homeowners as they think of it as unimportant and insignificant.

Thermal imaging in home inspections comes with many benefits that help you keep your home in its best condition. However, you need to remember that thermal imaging itself is not enough to find the issues as it has some limitations. Thermal imaging can only detect temperature variations. But, once thermal imaging is coupled with the home inspector’s expertise, knowledge, and professionalism, the inspection results are not only accurate but also reliable.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at the five major benefits of thermal imaging home inspections.

Detects Hidden Moisture Problems

Thermal imaging in home inspections is the best way to detect moisture issues within a home. It is reported that moisture-driven problems are occurring with greater frequency, especially in new American homes, particularly in hot, humid areas. This makes thermal imaging excessively important as it helps in identifying areas where moisture has infiltrated. For instance, leaks behind walls, ceilings, or under floors can be pinpointed accurately through variations in temperature detected by thermal cameras.

By detecting these issues early, you can prevent prolonged exposure to moisture, which is another headache. Moisture in your home for a longer period of time means that there could be a leading mold and mildew growth within your house, compromising the indoor air quality and posing health risks to you and your loved ones. Additionally, moisture can weaken structural components, leading to significant damage and costly repairs if not addressed promptly.

FYI, the cost to fix structural foundation issues in homes in the United States can vary widely but typically ranges from $250 to $25,000 or more

By identifying hidden moisture problems early, thermal imaging helps you take proactive measures to mitigate damage and maintain a safe, healthy living environment.

Identifies Insulation Deficiencies

Thermal imaging home inspections can be your go to way to identify insulation deficiencies in your home. This will lead to ensuring optimal energy efficiency and comfort. Thermal cameras capture thermal images, revealing temperature variations that are further inspected to detect areas where insulation is insufficient or missing altogether. Thermal images highlight cold spots in winter or warm spots in summer, indicating where heat is escaping or entering the home. Once you get this information, it becomes easier for you to address these deficiencies for further prospects, such as:

  • Maintaining consistent indoor temperatures
  • Reducing energy consumption
  • Lowering utility bills

Proper insulation not only enhances comfort but also reduces the workload on heating and cooling systems, extending their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Reveals Electrical System Issues

By capturing temperature variations, thermal imaging home inspections can identify overheating components within the electrical system, such as:

  • Outlets
  • Wiring
  • Circuit breakers
  • Panels

Often, these hotspots can indicate underlying problems like overloaded circuits, loose connections, or faulty equipment, which can lead to electrical fires if not addressed right away. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year. This resulted in nearly 500 deaths, over 1,400 injuries, and $1.3 billion in property damage. Thermal imaging saves you from such major consequences by performing timely repairs mitigating the risk of fire hazards. Moreover, identifying and resolving these issues can prevent costly damage to electrical appliances and reduce the likelihood of unexpected power outages.

Finds HVAC System Problems

Thermal imaging in home inspections is an invaluable tool to identify the issues with the HVAC system, later enhancing its efficiency and your home’s comfort. By capturing temperature differences, thermal cameras can detect issues such as:

  • Leaks in ductwork
  • Blockages
  •  Malfunctioning components

Note that all of these might not be apparent during a regular visual inspection. These problems can lead to uneven heating or cooling, increased energy consumption, and higher utility bills.

With thermal imaging, home inspectors can find these issues early on, helping you address these issues promptly and ensuring that your HVAC systems are operating efficiently. This not only improves the comfort levels within the home but also extends the lifespan of the HVAC equipment and reduces maintenance costs.

Uncovers Pest Infestations

You might not know, but there might already be intruders living in your home. But, with thermal imaging in home inspections, it becomes easier to uncover these and save you from extensive damage and a costly extermination process. By detecting heat patterns, thermal cameras can reveal where these nasty, unwanted guests are living. Some of the most common pests are termites, rodents, or insects. They are often found in walls, ceilings, and other hidden areas. These pests often create nests or burrows that generate distinct thermal signatures, which are easily identifiable with thermal imaging technology.

Early identification of pest activity allows for timely intervention, preventing the pests from causing significant structural damage or spreading diseases. Additionally, addressing infestations early reduces the need for extensive and expensive treatments later on.

Conclusion

Thermal imaging is a worth it approach for a home inspection as it helps in uncovering hidden issues that your home inspector might miss. Nothing to blame them for; it could be a simple human error. But with thermal imaging in home inspections, the chances for such errors are near zero. This advanced technology can detect problems such as moisture intrusion, insulation deficiencies, electrical system overheating, HVAC inefficiencies, and pest infestations. All of these are major concerns that can lead to significant damage and costly repairs if left undetected. So, when you are signing up for thermal imaging home inspections you will get a more comprehensive assessment that will help you address potential problems early, ensuring your property’s safety, efficiency, and longevity.

Yes, investing in a thermal imaging home inspection can be comparatively costly, but in the long run, it can save you from costly repairs. So, one way or another, it is still worth it.Ensure your home is in top condition with The BrickKicker! Our comprehensive home inspections come with the added benefit of Infrared Thermography, allowing us to detect hidden issues that other inspections might miss. Trust The BrickKicker to deliver peace of mind and help you protect your investment. Schedule your inspection today and experience the unparalleled advantage of infrared thermography!