Delta T

[David Sorge]

Originally Posted by jhicks

In my opinion, home inspection is not usually a practical use for thermal imaging. A few months ago, I purchased a Flir B-60 and took the level one training. I have used the camera on many inspections and although it has a great "Wow" factor, it still cannot beat my experience and a simple moisture meter.

Depends on where you live and work. NOT using IR here in the tropics is what we'd call in the business...un-smart. One thing I can agree with you on is that IR is NOT always the right tool for the job no matter where you are.

[David Sorge]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Quit giving away the IR.

Wishful thinking. Just in the month of May I was low-balled by $125 and $250 respectively.

[David A. Andersen]

Same here! I have basically packed up the IR and raised my basic home inspection fees back up and am basically taking a "working vacation" by doing just basic home inspection like everybody else.

I had a $2600 inspection where I was talked down to $1900. I said sure! The guy wanted an engineer to do the inspection but couldn't find one. So I threw in a "no holds barred full-blown inspection"(building, HVAC (x14), IR Interior, IR Flat roof) quote. He commenced to try to talk me down. So I said sure I just won't make the second trip out to do a nighttime thermal imaging evaluation. So he turned around and settled for a basic home inspection on a commercial building by somebody else who isn't even qualified to inspect residential properties.

Oh well, that's the market these days. At least I've got work coming out of my ears! I just need to learn to control myself and not carry anything more than a flashlight into the inspection...

[David Sorge]

Here's one from today. This is a wall chase in a garage that conceals a 3 inch plumbing vent. The vent stack flashing for this vent is split and leaking. The staining was visible and I didn't need IR but just wanted to highlight what can be found with virtually no DT other than what nature provides. The home has no AC and has been sitting for a year. The stain created an evaporative cooling effect. Having a camera with good thermal sensitivity helps as well. This image was not manipulated at all and the camera was in the auto mode.