Only a small number of inspection companies in Australia use thermal imaging technology due to the high cost of the units, however after discovering many hidden termite nests we believe its worth the cost.
With standard pest inspections, reporting is restricted to those areas visible with the naked eye. Moisture meters are used, however it is not possible to check all wall surfaces with a moisture meter. Unfortunately most termite activity is hidden in wall cavities and is often undetected until termites reach the roof void, particularly if the structure is on a concrete slab footing. By the time termites reach the roof void they have usually caused considerable damage to the wall framing timbers on the way up.
Thermal image camera inspections can extend the inspection boundaries into the wall frame. Termite activity gives off a large amount of heat and moisture which is detectable on wall surfaces using a thermal camera.
Case Study 1
Recently we were called to a property after the new owners had moved in. The home had been constructed on a concrete slab footing and had many concealed areas and restrictions limiting a standard pest inspection.
A thermal image camera inspection was made on the property and live termites were discovered. Photo 2 shows an open wardrobe area in a bedroom when viewed normally.
Photo 1 shows the same area when viewed with a thermal camera. The bright blue area indicated a higher temperature on the wall surface and areas below. After seeing these images, we removed insulation material in the roof void above and found termite activity and damage to the wall top plate.
If a thermal imaging camera inspection had been carried out on this property originally, it is likely an anomaly would have been found. Insulation would then have been removed to check further for suspected termite entry or a recommendation for an invasive inspection through wall linings would have been made.
|
