Why Do Miami Home Inspectors use Thermal Imaging?
You often hear about how professional home inspectors use “thermal imaging” when conducting an inspection. It is one of the more advanced, non-invasive technologies being used in the home inspection industry today. Thermal imaging enables them to inform homeowners about things that conventional inspection methods don’t reveal. If you’ve ever watched a movie or the news and seen surveillance images in contrasting or photo negative-like visuals, this will give you a better idea of what thermal imaging is.
What Does Thermal Imaging Reveal in a Home Inspection?
While the naked eye can only see visible light in an electromagnetic field, thermal imaging cameras see colder or warmer energy that the human eye or a standard camera is unable to detect. Since thermal imaging cameras are used to see colder or warmer temperatures and not visual elements that the human eye sees, they can capture temperature variants of a significant and insignificant nature. Consequently, thermal imaging cameras can reveal heat escaping the home or unwanted cold air getting in.
However, thermal imaging is also helpful in that it can give the home buyer or home seller a view of what cannot be seen with the naked eye including:
- hot electrical connections
- mechanical equipment that is running too hot
- missing insulation
- moisture
- overloaded circuit boxes
- water leaks
Another key feature of thermal imaging cameras is their ability to detect insects and pests that could be damaging the integral or structural components of the home. This type of damage typically occurs behind spaces or walls where we are unable to see what is happening. By thermal imaging, the areas with pests tend to show up in the heat spots.
Why Should You Consider Having a Thermal Imaging Inspection?
Maybe you’ve already considered having a thermal imaging inspection done in your home or wondered why you should consider having one done. Thermal images provide a closer look at the internal components of a home were never revealed years ago. But, it goes beyond that. It enables the home inspector and you to see any previous damage that hasn’t been detected or repaired and needs to be addressed before listing your home on the market.
Although you normally can’t foresee or predict any future problems, thermal imaging can provide insight into your home’s future. Interestingly enough, the use of thermal imaging dates back to 1929 when a Hungarian physicist invented the very first infrared-sensitive camera.
However, it was nearly half a century later before home inspectors started using thermal imaging cameras. For more information about the use of thermal imaging in home inspections, call Florida Inspections Unlimited today at 305-910-1171 or click here to schedule an inspection.