Homework: Eye Spy
Home inspections go high-tech.
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ShareAugust 1, 2008
It used to bE that when you ordered a home inspection before buying or selling a property, someone in a pair of overalls would show up armed with nothing more than a flashlight and a clipboard. For a good half day, that person would knock around the home’s darkest areas, probing the attic, the basement, and crawl space for leaks, termites, and other issues that could delay a closing. The best inspectors counted on observation and experience, sniffing out suspicious smells and tapping on walls to detect hollow spots.These days, home inspectors have evolved and now rely on infrared cameras that measure thermal infrared energy that cannot be detected by the naked eye. "Infrared cameras have revolutionized the industry," says David Quinn, president of D. Quinn Construction and a home inspector based in Kalispell, Montana. "They allow you to see water leaks, electrical problems, even termite infestations without opening up the wall."
Every material has a unique thermal signature, and when moisture, heat, or cold is introduced into a space, that thermal signature changes. The cameras, which are not much bigger than ordinary flashlights and feature digital display screens, register these temperature variations that often signify problems. For instance, a white, vibrant image indicates a hot source and may reveal electrical or insulation issues, while dark, cold areas may indicate water problems. "If the cool area behind the wall is near a water pipe, you can assume there’s a leak in there," says Michael Infantino of Inspection Services of America, based in Wilmington, Massachusetts. "If you see a cool spot and there’s a strange odor coming from the wall, it’s safe to assume there’s a mold problem."
Though infrared cameras cannot replace the experience of a good home inspector, they do show an amazing amount of detail, such as termite movement within a wood plank or high or low temperatures that could mean that a furnace is not set correctly. "I once found an area that was missing insulation," says Quinn. "I could actually see the flow of cold air moving behind the wall."
Roofers and plumbers also use infrared cameras to determine the locations of leaks, as do appraisers when writing up bids for property insurance. "The more you’re spending on a home, the more you want to know about any potential risks to that property," says Mark Schussel, a vice president with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in Warren, New Jersey. "An infrared camera can give you a complete overview of risks, as well as point out other issues you may want to address later on."
D. Quinn Construction, 877.237.3227, www.dquinnconst.com
Inspection Services of America, 877.658.9762,
www.inspectservamerica.com
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, 908.903.2000,
www.chubb.com
