The infrared spectrum was first discovered in 1800, and since then we have come a long way with it.

Various modern devices make use of IR technology, with one of the most common uses being thermal imaging. Thermal cameras serve various applications, including home inspections.

But what can they actually show in a home? Keep reading to find out.

1. Detecting Pests

Thermal imaging can help find various pests in your home. Despite some misconceptions, thermal imaging can’t see through walls. It can, however, detect temperature differences based on what’s on the other side of a wall.

Termites generate heat and create tunnels in surfaces that contain a lot of moisture. Their nests can also produce some heat, so all of these can be found using thermal imaging.

Rodents and insects such as hornets also build nests within walls, and these all generate heat. Locating these can be almost impossible without thermal imaging.

If you live in Brisbane Southside and think you might have pests, ABIS building provides dedicated pest inspections in the area — click for more about their services.

2. Insulation Damage

Keeping utility bills down is important for all billpayers. Your location and lifestyle will affect your bills, and if you live in the Brisbane area then your air conditioning probably adds a sizable amount to your monthly expenses.

Because of this, it’s important to keep your home insulation in the best condition possible. Thermal imaging can help detect any insulation gaps during a home inspection. It will show areas that are hotter or colder than they should be, so you can investigate and determine what the issue is.

This is especially useful for walls or ceilings that can’t be accessed as there is no other easy way to check the integrity of the insulation.

3. Leaks

There are several locations in a home where a leak can occur, and if a leak is not treated soon enough it will almost always lead to further problems. Water holds onto heat more than other materials in a home which is what makes them show up on a thermal imaging monitor.

Roofs are a common source of leaks, and the larger they are the more easily they can be found with thermal imaging. Just bear in mind that a new leak may not be visible even with a thermal camera.

Moisture is easiest to spot when doing a building inspection at night during the summer. This is because the sun will heat your house during the day, then the solid materials will release the heat in the evening while any moisture will hold it for a time.

Using Thermal Cameras

While anyone can buy thermal cameras they are generally quite expensive, and the average person won’t get a huge amount of use from one. It’s often easier and more cost-effective to hire professional home inspectors.

Not only will this save you money, but they already know exactly what to look for so will be able to give you the best assessment of any issues with your home.

If you’re interested in more household articles check out some of our other blog posts.