Building & Pest with Thermal Camera
A thermal camera (thermography) allows the inspector to detect thermal anomalies inside the building elements such as walls, floors and ceilings. These anomalies can indicate a range of building defects such as leaks, fire hazards or concealed termite activity.
‘A ‘Thermal Camera Inspection’ is carried out during a Combined Building & Pest inspection service.
What is a Thermal Inspection?
Thermography (infra red camera) is a powerful diagnostic tool that is used across a wide range of industrial applications. The use of thermal imaging or thermography has increased in popularity in the building inspection industry over recent decades. This is due to several factors like improvements in camera technology, a reduction in the cost of professional cameras (around $6K-$7K for ones we use), as well as an increase in customer awareness and willingness to embrace new technologies.
A thermal camera is a specialised camera that operates on the invisible infra-red light spectrum. Professional thermal cameras like ours (we use Testo thermal cameras) are able to detect minute differences in temperature. Under the right conditions these tiny temperature differences are able to ‘show’ hidden parts of the building structure and other elements, revealing things in a completely new way.
During a Building Inspection a thermal camera can be used as a ‘complementary’ non-destructive inspection tool. It is not used in isolation, rather in conjunction with a comprehensive Building and Pest Inspection. Using thermography the inspector is able to detect thermal anomalies inside building elements such as walls, floors and ceilings. These anomalies can indicate a range of building defects such as leaking or dampness, concealed termite activity and thermal performance issues.
A Thermal Camera is a powerful diagnostic tool
Structural assessment using a thermal camera
Termite activity detected with a thermal camera
Thermal camera detects a leaking roof
Why should I get a Thermal Inspection?
Thermal imaging is a non-destructive diagnostic tool that can be used in conjunction with conventional building and pest inspection proceedures – to help in the identification of a range of building defects such as:
- Concealed termite infestations, termite mudding and sub-nests, structural termite damage or conditions conducive to termite attack.
- Leaks and water penetration issues such as leaking bathrooms, leaking roofs or balcony membranes, water penetration around doors and windows, gutters and downpipes and rising damp.
- Damp areas inside the house which are conducive to mould and mildew.
- Possible detection of concealed structural damage.
- Areas of good or poor building thermal insulation.
The Truth about Thermal Imaging in Building Inspections
It is important to understand that thermography is not a ‘crystal ball’ and is not a stand-alone tool used for the detection of termites. A thermal camera does not allow our inspectors to ‘see inside walls’. Thermography is not part of the Australian Standard and as such, thermography is not required in order to comply with ‘best practice’ for pre-purchase building and pest inspections.
However, A thermal camera is a powerful diagnostic tool that can be used in conjunction with traditional visual and non-destructive inspection procedures such as thorough visual analysis, moisture testing, tapping, probing etc. A thermal camera must be used by an experienced building consultant and/or timber pest inspector as there is no substitute for the experience and skill of the inspector. Thermography is an important tool that can assist in detecting hidden issues and can provide a more complete picture of the overall health of the building.
Contact us today to Book a Building & Pest Inspection with Thermal Camera
Office Mobile – Call or SMS – 0488 900386
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