Infrared Cameras (IR) and their Role in Mold Inspections

Thursday, January 15, 2009 by Steven-Canter

Oftentimes, it is a good idea to request that an infrared camera (IR) be used for your mold inspection service.  There are a growing number of companies that do use this state of the art equipment. On the other hand, there is quite likely only a limited number of professionals employing this technology in your area due to the high cost of the units and limitations of their use.

There are many reasons that you should consider requesting the use of an IR camera:

• it may find a major defect in your home that could be overlooked with the naked eye
• it is able to see places in high ceilings or walls that never get checked in mold or home Inspections with standard moisture meters
• In the right conditions, it may speed up the time necessary to inspect a property and properly identify wet or damp portions of the home or structure

The infrared camera has some very special abilities if the property and conditions are just right. It also has distinct limitations as well. The camera measures the temperature of the surface and with the varying surface temperatures from warm to cool it creates a picture of the area surveyed. The cool areas many times will indicate wet or damp locations. Among the limitations of these cameras are "false positives" or what "appears" to be wet spots.   Sometimes these areas that appear to be wet, are just a cool spots and are not wet at all. This can be caused by insulation missing or air-conditioning ducting leaking or shadows on the surface. There are many variables to consider when using this state of the art type equipment--the IR Camera.

The scanning of large and/or high ceilinged rooms is an excellent use IR technology and can save a client significant time. One could look up at a high wall or ceiling and not see a stain or moisture damage but with the IR Camera one may find a defect that would have been overlooked in many inspections performed by an inspector using traditional moisture detection equipment. Remember that the areas that are identified as being wet or damp with the IR Camera must be verified using a traditional moisture meter.

Limitations are numerous and should be understood by the client if the IR Camera is deemed unusable for a particular situation. For example, if a home is heavily furnished or cluttered it is almost impossible to make this tool useful for a mold inspection. If the home has polished tile floors or walls, too many mirrors, or just the reflection of sun entering the home reflecting off polished furnishings, or if large drapery hangs around most windows and doors. Many small rooms will also limit most IR Cameras as well due to fact that most IRs are not equipped with a wide angle lens.

The “Tool”, yes a very costly tool, that sometimes will come in very handy and paint a wonderful picture and tell a story and assist in finding a problem.  Sometimes not.  Sometimes false positives. This tool will take years of experience as well as special training to even get close to mastering and still there will be surprises. My IR has surprised me many times.

The primary tool on the Mold Inspection with the IR Camera is the years of experience within the building trades, education of the tool, continuing education of construction defects as well as good common sense of the “Inspector himself”

Yes, “State of the Art” and yes can be a Mold Inspector's best friend on many days but it is the “Experienced Inspector” that will know when to put this tool back in the box.

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Flir Systems (makers of thermal imaging cameras)