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Thermal Imaging on Inspections

By
Home Inspector with Perfection Inspection, Inc.

I am very new to blogging so it may take a while to get the kinks worked out.

I am the only home inspector in Salem Oregon who is currently using a high quality state of the art thermal imaging camera.  Almost daily my nifty little camera reveals things that I would not be able to see.

Even if the home I am looking at is very nice, the camera can tell weather the walls are insulated or not, where potential energy loss points may be in the home.  What the insulation looks like in the attic in areas you can't see from the scuttle hole.

On one of my inspections recently I notices a very interesting heat trail on a stairway wall.  The hot spot turned out to be where the drywall hangers hit an electrical wire with a screw!!

Last year I was even hired by a roofing company to find a leak that they could not.

The investment in the infrared camera was big, but in a competitive market this technology more than sets me apart.

As far as creating complications, or "seeing things that I didn't need to"  It is always better to know more than less.  Over all the thermal camera creates a sense of peace for the buyers I work with.  My clients can look through the camera and see the frame work of the wall.  They can see the individual screws that fasten the drywall this helps calm the fear of the unknown.   

Comments(6)

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Robert Huntsinger
Empire Realty - Upland, CA
Empire Realty Upland, CA - Full Service at a Discount

Your right, the thermal imaging sets you apart from the others, I looked at the pricing for them and WOW it is an investment.

Take care!

RJH

Jan 08, 2008 01:53 PM
Geordie Romer
Windermere Real Estate / NCW - Leavenworth, WA
Serving Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, and Plain

I can't wait until thermal imaging becomes the norm in my market. I know some agents will think it is a deal killer, but I think that the more info a buyer has the better. Less chance of us all ending up in court later. I have heard of imagers finding rodent infestations that weren't seen otherwise!

Jan 08, 2008 02:11 PM
Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector
I have located a cat in an attic, bee's nests, rodent trails....all from the living area with the thermal camera.
Jan 09, 2008 05:40 AM
Melina Tomson
Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.

Jim,

Congrats on your first post.  You need to post some of your thermal pics on here!   I guess I think when you hit 100 blogs, you have a better feel for the writing of them. One blog down, 99 more to go.  Welcome to AR, and I look forward to your information!

Jan 13, 2008 08:22 AM
M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Yes, Jim. Welcome to Active Rain. I can see that we can expect eye opening and usefull blogs from you. I am subscribing.

Sep 04, 2008 03:25 PM
Jim Allhiser
Perfection Inspection, Inc. - Salem, OR
Salem, Oregon Home Inspector

Suzi:  Thank you I hope to keep up my end of the bargin!

Sep 05, 2008 10:13 AM