Thermal Imaging vs. Traditional Inspection Methods: What You Need to Know

Inspections of homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities have always been an important part of property maintenance. For a long time, inspectors conducted visual examinations and tests to find issues. Technology changes have brought a faster and more precise way of doing inspections, and have improved traditional inspection methods. These changes are called Thermal Imaging.

More issues that are hidden from the naked eye can be found using thermal inspections. Whether you are looking at electrical issues or problems with plumbing, roofing, and even insulation, infrared technology helps give you more information and insights that support your findings without damaging the property.

Here, we will define the limits and benefits of both methods. Also, we will examine the advantages of using Thermal Imaging over the traditional inspection methods.

What is Thermal Imaging?

Thermal Imaging is using infrared technology to assess the differences in temperature of a particular surface. Since every object gives off heat, and infrared cameras can be used to view the patterns and create a thermal image that can pinpoint anomalies that may be missed in a regular visual inspection.

Rather than having to break open walls and take apart equipment to look for concerns, inspectors can more easily and quickly identify issues by viewing the infrared image and looking for discrepancies in the recorded temperatures.

Some of the more common uses include:

- Electrical inspections

- Water leak detection

- Roof inspections

- HVAC system inspections

- Building insulation checks

- Monitoring of Mechanical equipment

- Preventive maintenance

Because of the non-invasive nature of the inspections, the property being reviewed remains in the same condition as when the inspection began, and very valuable diagnostic information is obtained by the inspectors.

What are Traditional Inspection Methods?

When traditional inspection methods are used, the inspector is physically looking and doing tests to identify issues. These methods involve the inspection of visible elements and the use of basic tools to determine if there are indications of damage or wear.

Here are some common traditional inspection techniques.

- Visual assessments

- Use of moisture meters

- Voltage assessment

- Pressure assessment

- Manual measuring

- Listen for sounds

- Use touch to identify overheating

These methods have been widely trusted for many years. They are helpful in the process of property appraisal. However, they often are unable to detect hidden issues until the issues become apparent.

A Comparison of Thermal Imaging and Traditional Inspections

Ability to Detect Hidden Issues

The primary strength of Thermal Imaging is the ability to see problems hidden behind walls, ceilings, floors, and equipment coverings.

The traditional inspection primarily is used to detect issues which have visible indicators.

An example of this would be a leaking pipe hidden within a wall. As a pipe begins to leak, it may take some time before the visible damage is seen, which then may be the development of mold. Thermal imaging has the ability to identify moisture before signs of the leak and damage are visible to the inspector.

The same holds true for electronic circuit systems.

Thermal imaging of a circuit system can scan and detect overheating before the components of the system fail.

Non-destructive Inspection

Unlike traditional methods, which are often destructive, Thermal Imaging does not cause damage to the property.

Some methods may also require guesswork, which is significantly decreased, if not eliminated.

There are many benefits to this including:

- Less damage to the property

- Decreased time for needed repairs

- Lower cost for repairs

- Less disruption to the property

This ends up being a very efficient method, both cost and time.

Speed of Inspection

Thermal Imaging has the ability to scan very large areas within a short amount of time.

The traditional inspection, especially for large commercial properties, may take days to cover all the areas needing assessment.

Thermal imaging has the ability to cover entire mechanical systems, all of the thermal panels within a building, or an entire roof in a matter of minutes.

Thermal inspections are best for:

- Factories

- Warehouses

- Offices

- Hospitals

- Schools

- Apartments

Because of the time thermal inspections take, there is less downtime for employees and visitors.

Thermal imaging is perfect for finding phenomena where the traditional inspection methods cannot find something due to a lack of evidence.

The phenomena could also be a combination of the deficiencies like:

- Air leakage

- Equipment overload

- Insulation deficiencies

Thermal imaging allows inspectors to classify the problems of the building. 

Electrical Inspections: A Great Example

Electrical failures are a cause for a lot of commercial property damages.

Deteriorating wires that are failing, but also have a lot of heat generated are one of the more common problems.

Common problems that are easy to find with heat detection are:

- Loose connections

- Overloaded circuits

- Phase imbalance

- Failing breakers

- Defective switches

Without the technology to detect heat, these problems could cause a large failure of the system or a break in the safety of the building.

Moisture Detection Comparison

Water damage ruins the buildings from inside and could require floor renovations.

The traditional inspection methods to find water damage stains require visible damp spots or mold.

These signs usually arrive when the damage has been done.

Thermal imaging is able to detect water damage before it ruins the building.

Renewing the building early can prevent:

- Remodeling

- Rot

- Mold

This makes thermal inspections a value after recovering from a storm or a flooding event that damages the plumbing.

The Pros of Getting a Roof Inspection

Traditionally, checking a roof meant getting up on top of a building.

While it works, inspectors will often miss moisture trapped beneath the roof membrane.

With thermal imaging, inspectors can easily find moisture trapped beneath the roof and can see temperature variations across the roof.

The benefits of this include:

- Leaks can be found much sooner

- Costs of repairs are lowered

- Roofs last longer

- Maintenance is more efficient

Small repairs can easily be made instead of waiting until a full roof replacement is needed and a larger cost has to be incurred.

Evaluating HVAC Systems

System inefficiencies from wear and tear often stem from inadequate or blocked airflow and insufficient or inadequate insulation.

Traditionally, inspectors look at airflow and inspect each component separately.

With thermal imaging, inspectors can see:

- Air leaks

- Insufficient duct insulation

- Airflow blockage

- Uneven heating and cooling.

With this comprehensive view, thermal imaging shows the system as a whole and allows inspectors to help improve the performance of the system along with helping lower the cost of energy.

Improved Safety

Thermal imaging also makes safety much easier.

Inspectors can look at high voltage electrical equipment from a safe distance.

Traditionally, inspectors would have to come in contact with the energized components, which is very dangerous.

Conducting an electrical thermal scan reduces the safety concern of the component failing and overheating while also identifying the condition of the component.

Thermal imaging helps make preventive maintenance much safer for electricians, maintenance personnel, facility managers, and industrial technicians.

Savings from Costly Repairs

Some think the cost incurred from a thermal inspection is too high, but the cost from not performing preventative maintenance and inspections is always far greater.

The costs incurred from:

- Electrical fires

- Roof replacements

- Water damage

- Missed productivity due to halted operations

- Replacing equipment

are much greater than the cost of thermal inspections.

Thermal inspections help find the small problems before they become too costly.

The cost of thousands of repair bills can be avoided with only one inspection in a lot of cases.

Where Traditional Inspections Are Still Necessary

Even with the benefits of Thermal Imaging, traditional inspections are still needed.

Thermal cameras may show a variety of temperatures, but do not indicate the cause of the problem.

Inspectors may use the infrared data with the:

- Direct observation

- Electrical Tests

- Moisture Tests

- Mechanical Inspections

- or other methods

and their professional judgment.

Combining methods is the best way to make a complete assessment.

Thermal technology is meant to expand inspection methods, not replace traditional inspections.

The Industries that Benefit Most

Although many industries are able to use Thermal Inspections as part of their regular, preventive maintenance programs, some of them are listed below.

- Manufacturing Plants

- Commercial Buildings

- Residential Buildings

- Hospitals

- Schools

- Data Centers

- Hotels

- Warehouses

- Shopping Centers

- Industrial Facilities

Frequent electrical thermal scan inspections improve the reliability of operations and decrease the amount of equipment failures.

Thermal Inspections Best Practices

The following infrared thermal inspections, when frequent and properly done, can save time, money and improve the long-term performance of the building:

- Use certified infrared thermographers

- Regular preventive maintenance scans

- Combine thermal imaging with visual inspections

- Promptly correct problems

- Keep inspection reports

Conclusion

Traditional inspections and Thermal Imaging provide property owners with useful options for building maintenance. Traditional inspections provide a hands-on or physical method of verification, while thermal technology provides a method to detect hidden issues that traditional visual inspections fail to find.

Thermal inspections help ease the use of `tear ups` of walls and long expenses to find maintenance issues and help pinpoint problems, like overheating electrical components.

Does it manage any kind of property? Residential, commercial, industrial? Then you should consider Thermal Imaging as a part of your preventative maintenance strategy. It is a great complement to standard inspection methods. It helps you manage the condition of your property, helps you manage risk, and supports service and maintenance that saves time and money.