THERMAL IMAGING

What is Thermal Imaging?

To keep it simple, Thermal Imaging is the process of viewing and recording actual surface temperatures, signatures, and anomalies observed at surfaces such as walls, ceilings, floors, pipes, ducts, etc. Think of it as a thermometer with a television attached. Instead of mercury rising through the marks, the temperature is translated into a visual image. Using a high resolution thermal imager (or camera), we can observe and interpret surface temperatures to help determine what is or may be occurring in areas we can’t readily view without destructive evaluations. All objects emit energy in the form of heat. Thermal imaging allows us to ‘see’ this energy and interpret our findings or the anomalies observed.

Can you see through walls?

Simply put… No. What we can see are the temperature differences that transfer through or occur at the surface of an object. Air movement, evaporation, moisture, heat transfer, and more all have an observable effect on surface temperatures. These create a temperature difference that our camera ‘sees’ and creates an image of the thermal signatures. Although our service sometimes appears to be, it is not x-ray vision.

I am buying a brand new house. Why do I need a thermal inspection?

Even new construction has defects. It is of great importance to have a thermal inspection performed since many mistakenly expect all systems to be installed properly and functioning as intended. Quite the opposite can occur unfortunately. I have observed active roof leaks, misaligned and damaged framing, and even missing insulation. Once the drywall is up, it’s impossible to ‘see’ these defects without the assistance of thermal imaging. Often the builders are just as concerned to discover the carelessness of their sub-contractors.

How can Thermal Imaging help with my commercial property?

Thermal imaging can help identify numerous issues that can be prevalent in both commercial and residential properties. From roof and moisture scans, to electrical and insulation scans, these issues are very important to help you understand the overall condition. Traditional visual inspections can’t come close to seeing what we can see. Thermal imaging can even help contractors to identify troublesome issues and find hidden systems like buried radiant heating systems and plumbing in walls.

Why are Infrared Thermal Inspections so vital?

The remarkable view from an infrared camera allows us to see and compare the relative temperature of an object or surface area to that of its surroundings. These comparisons can help identify otherwise invisible problems and concerns which can be caused by issues occurring below the surface of a floor, behind a wall, or above a ceiling. The images seen by the camera can reveal problems with moisture, electrical, and HVAC systems, as well as problems with insulation, foundation, framing, plumbing, and more. Combining Infrared Thermal Inspections with traditional inspection methods provides our clients the very best, state of the art service available.

About Infrared Thermal Inspections

Inspect It Neil LLC offers advantages to you over traditional inspections with our INFRARED TECHNOLOGY. We use a state of the art Flir B 50 and I am a Certified Infrared Thermographer. Very few understand the importance of infrared technology, yet what we discover through using infrared thermal imaging has helped save hundreds, and even thousands of dollars for commercial and residential investors, business owners, homeowners, home buyers, and home sellers. But most important is that Thermal Imaging is a NON DESTRUCTIVE method to inspect areas that were once could only be inspected with destructive methods.

What once was only thought of as a military or scientific technology, Infrared Imaging is now being applied in commercial and residential applications. Using the same technologies as used by science, industry, and military, Infrared Thermal Imaging technology combined with a traditional inspection provides us with a view of your property like no other. With Infrared Thermal Imaging, we can see beyond the spectrum of “natural light” or what we see with our own 2 eyes.

Because everything has a surface temperature, infrared thermal imaging technology allows us to ‘see’ the temperature of those surfaces. The images seen are then interpreted and further investigated. As human beings, we are limited to seeing light only in the visible light spectrum called white light. This is the light that bounces off everyday objects whether the light is being emitted by our sun or an artificial source such as a light bulb. The infrared spectrum is otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Without assistance from technology, we are unable to see the vital information provided by the infrared spectrum and surface temperatures. It is this ability to ‘see’ these surface temperatures that allows us to more accurately identify potential, and immediate, problems in your commercial or residential property that would have otherwise been missed.

Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, pests and vermin, airflow such as cold air seeping under a door or warm air leaking from central air ducts, all can be detected with an infrared camera. Because these and other issues often thrive or exist in hard to view places (such as behind walls), the use of Infrared technology allows us to pinpoint exactly where a problem area is in your home, office, or building without the need for any invasive investigation damage to the structure.

In short, our advanced technology is purposefully designed to provide you with a level of service that increases the accuracy of correctly identifying problems, reduces the time and effort required to fix those problems, helps you to catch small problems before they become expensive or unmanageable problems, and saves you time and money.