What is a Thermal Imaging Pest Inspection?
Thermal imaging pest inspections give a superior view of the nooks and crannies of your home and will provide a more accurate picture of what bugs may be living under your roof. With the ability to see through walls, a thermal imaging pest inspection is ideal for use on the coastal areas of NSW due to the humid temperatures and condition of the soil underneath dwellings.
Thermal imaging is an state-of-the-art method of pest inspections which uses an infrared camera to provide detailed information. It can be used on all types of property (establishment, business, house, etc) before any construction and building materials are damaged or break due to pest infestations.
What is the technology behind Thermal Imaging Pest Inspections?
It's essentially a technique used during pest inspections known for detecting heat emitting life forms and clusters in dark environments. The technology is able to display areas which are not visible to the naked eye, such as termite or cockroach infestations, making it helpful in performing successful inspections.
Thermal imaging cameras are sophisticated devices used to detect heat patterns, capturing the image on screen and using a colour palette to determine the level of temperature. These images and colour representations can be used in analysing and delivering an informed evaluation report. Instead of measuring the temperature, thermal imaging provides pictures of surfaces with different temperature levels and movements which represent the bug infestations.
How does a Thermal Imaging Camera Work?
This type of camera has a colour display. The colour display is a feature of thermal imaging which is used to help people understand a thermal image in a visual medium. The various colours represent different temperature levels detected. Thermal images are typically grey scale in nature: black for coldest objects, white for hottest objects and the dark grey represents the mid-range between the two. Advanced thermal cameras have the benefit of adding colour to the images so you can get a visual of the situation with a glance. This colour palette also makes it easier for the users to distinguish objects at different temperatures.
In thermal imaging, the introduction of colours only helps in determining the difference in temperature when inspecting surfaces. Colours are recorded, but there’s no need to set a particular temperature for a particular colour from the palette. These colours are just there to easily detect the coldest and hottest parts of the area. Nevertheless, these colours can still be used to clearly represent details in making a comprehensive inspection report. The various colours can represent cold and hot, as above, but also warm and cool. Each colour means a differing temperature.
What are the Uses of Thermal Imaging?
Thermal cameras can be used in several ways since temperature is used in many applications. They are used in the rapid inspection of surfaces, below surfaces, hard to reach areas and in other environments. It is a good way to detect potential problems that may arise and be able to prevent them as early as possible.
Whilst you may have noticed that it is mostly used for pest and house inspection, thermal imaging also seems to be a great help for the following industries:
Building Inspection
Radiant heat location in wires or pipes
Thermal insulation and HVAC problems
Spot electrical issues
Detect leaks on flat roof buildings
Locate potential areas for mould growth
Building moisture traps, leaks
Detect termite/pest nest
Missing or damaged wall framing
Heat loss detection
Pest Inspection
Detect termite activity
Ceiling and wall lining leaks
Scan areas with high moisture levels
Locate termite nesting areas
Termite damage in buildings
Detect small termite mud trails
Mould growth to surfaces
Determine moisture contamination
Electrical Inspection
Find over-stressed, poorly secured, corroded hardware
Troubleshooting electrical systems
Detect high resistance caused by poor surface contact
Measure overloaded or loose connections
Check operating conditions of motors
Determine the source of warm or cold air leaks
Find overheating pump motors prior to failure
Discover oxidation of high voltage switches
Determine if gear boxes are running hot
Find faulty resistors
Fire Rescue/Inspection
Help firefighters see through smoke
Detect unseen embers
See the flow of hot gases
Allows firefighters to see in darkness
Assist in finding trapped victims
Locate centre of a fire
Spot holes in flooring
Detect structural weakness before failure
Surveillance
See through pitch-black darkness
Spot intruder in any weather condition
Able to see over long distances clearly
Recognise intruders even with no lights on
Allow security personnel to monitor suspicious people
Help monitor areas with no glaring lights
What to look for in a Thermal Imaging Camera?
Thermal imaging is a method used in various applications from determining a potential electrical system failure to performing pre-purchase building inspection. Since this technology is advanced, it tends to become useful in detecting problems on different environments before they arise.
This gives you a better idea about the structure of the building prior to making a purchase decision. A solid home is a good way to ensure it holds its value over the years. That being said, more brands are offering this awesome tool online and to purchase in some local stores. Of course this type of technology is better used in the hands of a professional.
We understand how difficult and daunting it is to find the right thermal imaging camera for your job, but are sure these general characteristics of a good thermal camera can help you make a confident purchase.
Picture Quality: A thermal imaging camera has 120x120 pixels and 140x140 pixels. There are also cameras available with 180x180 pixels that provide superior resolution. It is ideal to choose a camera with high quality resolution because low thermal images can affect your report.
Screen: Any size from 35inch colour LCD screen and above will give you clear displays and easy to read information allowing you to discuss information using the image reference.