FALSE - Those of you that answered FALSE, get a gold star for the day...those of you who answered TRUE, should hear a loud BUZZING sound in the background, indicating an incorrect answer. If you answered TRUE, you need to review the answer from the previous week's Question which stated: "One of the largest misconceptions about Infrared (IR) cameras is that they can 'see through walls'. The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember about IR cameras is they only see surface temperature." The IR camera doesn't "see" moisture - it "sees" surface temperature. The camera user or "technician" must interpret the images on the screen to determine what anomalies are indicated. Typically, moisture will be visible as a cold / cool spot (about 6 degrees cooler than ambient temps), and when ever possible, suspect areas should be confirmed with a moisture meter. Why? Because cool spots can also be produced by other conditions, such as a disconnected HVAC duct, blowing cold air onto the back side of sheet rock, or cold air infiltration from the exterior. Remember, the tool is only as good as the technician...here's a good analogy: Just because a guy has a karaoke machine, it doesn't make him a great singer - and just because a guy has an IR camera, it doesn't make him a skilled themographer. When selecting an inspector, remember to look at basic credentials - The most respected national inspection organization is The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI at
www.ashi.org). Infrared cameras are a great tool in the hands of an experienced inspector, when used as a PART of the inspection, but when the camera becomes the center point of the inspection, you should be wary.
If your office is interested in a demonstration of the capabilities and limitations of infrared technology, please contact me to arrange a free seminar.
