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7 Things Discoverable During An Infrared Home Inspection

On the surface, a home can look like there is nothing wrong with it. However, when you dig a bit deeper, there can be all kinds of problems present that were not visible before. Unfortunately, this kind of in-depth inspection was once only possible by basically taking a home apart. But, these days, infrared (IR) technology allows an inspector to gain almost x-ray vision when they perform a home walkthrough. Here is a look at seven things that can be detected through an IR home inspection. 

1. Heat loss through the floor. 

The home's perimeter may be doing a good job of holding in heat, but heat loss can also happen through the floor. This is especially a problem in older homes that don't have a lot of insulation under the house or don't have the most protected crawlspace. 

2. Bad seals around your windows. 

Seals around the windows can look like they are doing what they should, but if they have started to deteriorate and become porous due to age and element exposure, they can contribute to heat and air loss. The inspector's IR camera will give them a view of hot and cold spots around the windows to detect if the seals need to be replaced. 

3. Wet insulation hidden in the walls. 

Wet insulation can occur due to leaks in the ceiling, but this issue can go undetected for a really long time. Moisture can show up as a different temperature in an infrared reading, which means wet insulation can be detected.

4. Signs of a pest infestation. 

Pest infestations are not always obvious; they are often hidden deep inside a home's structure. IR inspections can often pinpoint issues with termites, rodents, or other pests. 

5. Electrical wires that are overheating. 

Overheating electrical wires can be a major problem because this is a fire risk. These hot spots show up bright red in an infrared image, so an inspector can easily assess the wiring system throughout the house without having to disturb anything or take it apart. 

6. Leaks around a chimney flue. 

Chimney flue leaks can mean there is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning because smoke and fumes can be funneling back into the house. These spots are fairly easy to point out with an IR camera.

7. Water intrusion around the home's foundation. 

If a home's foundation is taking in water, it can put the rest of the home at risk of water damage. The inspector will spend some time either down in the basement or under the house to get a look at the moisture levels in these areas. To learn more information about infrared home inspections, reach out to a company such as Slaney Home Inspections Inc.