Thermal Imaging of Building Envelopes

Introduction:
Thermograph inspections, using infrared imaging, can be used to assist owners and contractors detect thermal defects and air leakage of building and house envelopes. Thermal images can indicate areas requiring more insulation or where insulation is missing or damaged in exterior walls. Infrared scanning can also help determine roof leaks or water problems in the building envelope.

Whether buying a new or older building, a thermal imaging scan can help to assure that the building insulation is consistent. For the best results in conducting an infrared scan it is important that the interior and the exterior of the building has a 20 degree temperature difference.

The use of thermal imaging along with the blower door test can provide you with finer details of your home or buildings heat loss.

Thermal imaging building envelope inspections are useful when you are questioning:
Is there insulation in your walls? How effective is it? Is the insulation damaged? Have you achieved insulation in all of the wall cavities? Is there possibly water related damage that can contribute to mold growth in the walls or roof?

Thermography is a preliminary non-destructive investigative tool. Learn where the heat loss is located in your building envelope with our Thermal Imaging services. Thermography is a science and an art. Using thermal imaging we can see the thermal weakness in the building envelope.

This data can be particularly useful for contractors when diagnosing and estimating renovation and repairs to the building envelope. Note that this service is most effective when there is a 20 degrees difference between the inside and outside temperatures.

For the purpose of examining the building envelope we are most interested in the variation of temperatures not the actual temperature. The variations in temperature readings begin to provide an explanation of the problem under examination.

The examination of the building envelope can begin with this non-destructive approach to determine problem areas. For example, a scan can help determine the potential causes of ice damming and the damage to insulation properties as a result. Ice damming is a common problem usually due to insufficient insulation or air sealing or poor ventilation. It is important to keep warm moist air from the house out of the attic area. The thermal imaging examination of the building envelope will help diagnose the extent of a problem and contribute to solutions.

Pam Sayne of Know Your Home Inspections Inc. is a Thermographer and, with over 10 years of energy evaluation experience, can help you identity potential heat loss and water related problems in your house or building envelope. Call for your thermal imaging inspection 705 454-9384.