A thermal camera works by detecting and measuring the infrared radiation that ALL objects emit. All objects that have a temperature over absolute zero (-273.15°C or -459.67°F) give off thermal radiation. Since the temperature of absolute zero is physically impossible, all objects give off thermal radiation. Even you.

 

A Thermographer? Why do I need one?

When using a thermal camera there are many things to consider. It is very important that a person operating a thermal camera for the use of inspection is trained in thermography. You may think that you can buy a thermal camera and “point and shoot” to perform your own inspection. That may do more harm than good. As stated above, all materials emit thermal radiation. But did you know an object can also reflect another objects radiation?

 

Scenario

You recently purchased a thermal camera and you are inspecting your homes exterior. You find an anomaly and it appears you are looking at a wet spot behind your siding. You  proceed to tear off a large section of siding only to learn it is totally dry. Wait…What? You stand there scratching your head for a while before throwing in the towel. Finally, you decide to call FDS to come take a look at what has transpired. Well, it turns out that “wet spot” you saw was actually your stainless-steel grill radiating its thermal energy and getting reflected off your siding. Now you get to figure out how to fix the siding you accidently broke when you were taking it off. This is just one example of why it is important to know what you are looking at and the science behind thermography. With out this knowledge, it is extremely difficult to determine an accurate conclusion. This knowledge is especially critical when conducting exterior thermal inspections.

 

The thermal cameras used by Flightfield Drone Services, LLC do not see through clothing, walls, or even windows. Really, thermal cameras do not see through anything at all. A thermal camera detects the surface temperature of the first object in its line of site. If you were to point a thermal camera at a wall with a hot wire behind it, you will see the heat that is being transferred through the wall. If the wire recently became hot, it may not have heated the wall enough to get a good temperature difference. Therefore, the thermal camera would not detect it.

 

The cameras detect the objects radiation and converts it into electronic signals. It then takes this data and converts it into a color map of different temperature values. This “rainbow” colored palette is what you will typically see on T.V. and in movies. In movies, the good guys are using thermal scopes to look through walls to find the bad guys. In the real world, this is not the case. Our thermal cameras have the ability to take a thermal photo and an RGB photo simultaneously for side-by-side comparison. This makes deciphering images for clients very easy, and helps them to understand what the thermographer is seeing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thermal Inspections
Using our thermal imaging sensors we can find issues in your home that you wouldn't normally find until it is to late. FDS utilizes hand held, and aerial thermal sensors to give you the best look at your home or business. This non-invasive technology is reliable and and can provide more accurate results than an inspection with out. Knowing what defects lurk out of eye site from homeowners, FDS includes FREE interior certified thermal inspections with every inspection. Utilizing a thermal sensor for interior home inspections can locate issues not seen by the naked eye. This can reveal water leaks in pipes, water intrusion, lack of insulation, overheating wires and breakers, and much more. Click the tab below to see our credentials.



For an Additional cost FDS can perform an exterior aerial thermal inspection with one of its sUAS. While an interior thermal inspection is pretty straight forward, exterior inspections take more planning. Outdoor temperatures, humidity, building materials and many other variables will affect the results. There needs to be additional planning to ensure accurate, dependable data. Typically, these flights will happen in the early morning or after sunset.

These thermal inspection services are outside the Standards of Practice and not offered by all home inspectors. The Standards of Practice are the minimum requirements for conducting a home inspection. At FDS we know that sometimes “the minimums” are not enough when it comes to you and your family’s safety, and investment.