Select an Infrared Inspection

Detect-A-Leak can tailor a Infrared moisture inspection to suit your needs and concerns. Pricing will be based on the estimated time it will take to inspect the building based on its size and the type of inspection being conducted. Documented reports are included in our hourly rate, but if the written report is not required the report cost can be deducted if we requested at the time. When a suspected moisture anomaly is detected they are always checked with a moisture meter. Once confirmed they can be further investigated as to the cause if required.

Pre-purchase Infrared Moisture Inspection or Health Check Infrared Moisture Inspection

Our most important and popular building inspection when purchasing as most purchasers need to know if the house they are considering to purchase has moisture problems or not. This inspection includes a general overview of the exterior condition to reduce the risk of buying a leaky building. The Health Check infrared moisture inspection is exactly the same inspection but for existing homeowners wanting to protect their investment by having us inspect for any current moisture and related issues. The Inspector will conduct a thorough interior moisture inspection scanning and checking interior walls and ceilings looking for any sign of past or present moisture ingress, including the internal walls of kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas. IR anomalies detected and other random areas will also be checked with our moisture meter as deemed necessary. If the customer is happy with the moisture scan they can decide at the time if they wish us to complete the cladding or membrane inspection, at which time the inspector can have a more in depth closeup look at these areas or any areas of concern. An extension ladder is always taken to each job for roof access if required, but generally the roof is only viewed from the top of a ladder and not always inspected if no moisture issues are detected. On average our inspections take about 3 hours to complete but the inspections do vary a bit depending on the design and size of a home, what we find and how long we spend investigating. If a number of moisture issues are found investigating and documenting this will add more time and therefore more cost to the inspection. This inspection can be done with or without a written report, but we do not give verbal reports unless the customer is actually with us on site to ensure they understand clearly what the problems are and our report software contains additional information which you will not get with a verbal report.

Please note most other thermographers conducting moisture inspections do not comment on moisture related exterior roof, cladding, membrane and maintenance issues. I have found that often homes may not have any current interior moisture issues but can have major exterior issues. For instance they may have had poor quality repairs that are only good for a short period of time, problematic flashing connections or require a large amount of cladding maintenance work that is not being reported on during these other types of inspections. That is why when we do a Thermal Imaging building inspection we always try and do at least a general exterior inspection.

Pre-sale Infrared Moisture Inspections

If you have been recommended to get an Infrared Moisture Inspection report by your real estate agent (so that they will accept your listing) or to ensure that you don't have any moisture issues prior to listing, we can do this for you. As the main concern is if there are any internal moisture issues or not, regardless of the exterior condition. Our pre-sale moisture inspections concentrate on moisture testing and documenting the interior of the home only, saves time and money, but we can add an exterior inspection if required. Generally if there is concern over moisture issues the main concern is does the home leak or not and buyers still should get their own building inspector check. Our inspector will tailor the inspection to suit your needs and can often vary the extent of that inspection once on site, as required.

Cladding Moisture/Maintenance Inspection

Our inspector will conduct a thorough cladding inspection, closely inspecting joints, junctions and flashing connections of the cladding looking for maintenance issues, cracks, mould, missing or defective flashings, mechanical damage, design problems, applicator issues, paint coating defects, potential future problems and of course any sign of moisture ingress. We do not inspect for compliance with the building code but we will sometimes mention some basic information that was relevant at the time the home was built if we feel it necessary. Where moisture issues inside have been found Thermal Images of the exterior at that location can be taken to be compared with the interior images for further confirmation of an issue. On an average size home please allow up to an extra hour on top of the moisture inspection. Problematic cladding such as plaster/stucco homes may require additional time due to the high amount or issues that are often detected or need documenting for the report. The cladding inspection is usually added onto includes moisture testing the inside of the building unless there is a specific cladding issue that you want us to inspect.

Target Inspection

Target Scan inspections are a minimum charge of 1 hour and can be priced with or without a report on the area of concern. The inspector will inspect targeted areas as per your request. Additional time on site if required is charged at a reduced hourly rate. We do not give verbal reports unless the customer is actually with us on site to ensure they understand clearly what the problems are.

Infrared Home Energy Checks/Insulation Inspections

Our inspector will provide a non-invasive scan of the building to identify any significant air and heat leaks. The scan will include checking for missing or incorrectly installed insulation. Professional recommendations will be made as to the most cost effective ways in which your homes energy efficiency can be improved. Priced on an hourly rate.

Post Repair Audits

Once repairs are completed we can come back and check the repaired areas to ensure there are no further issues. Sometimes as with water leaks it may be necessary to do a quick scan during the repair process in order to ensure areas are dry enough for work to continue.

Mechanical Inspections or Electrical Inspections

These inspections are as required, conducted on an hourly rate and may require a qualified Electrician or Mechanical Engineer to be present.

Other Types of Inspections

We are always keen to expand into new areas of thermography. Other inspections are as required, conducted on an hourly rate and may require if outside our expertise a person with the corresponding qualifications to also be present.

Preventative & Predictive Maintenance for Buildings

Our inspector will conduct a scan of the specified areas on the maintenance schedule looking for any anomalies relevant to the inspection type. It is recommended to have our inspections documented into a report for future reference. Being able to show a documented history of previous Infrared inspections showing your house is not a leaky building may be essential to completing a sale.

Disclaimer

All inspections (verbal or written) are our opinion and interpretation of what we saw on the day and are valid for the time of inspection only, due to various conditions outside of our control which may affect the condition of the object after the inspection has been completed. 

All thermal anomalies that are outside standard parameters that are brought to the attention of the client are subject to further investigation by the client to confirm and repair possible problem areas. Further investigation and/or repair should only be carried out by an appropriate licensed building practitioner.

Detect-A-Leak Ltd cannot be expected to find every moisture related fault within a given building. An Infrared building inspection should not be confused with an appraisal, a structural inspection, building code inspection, or any guarantee of any kind, but a tool to aid the recipient, to be better prepared and knowledgeable and therefore have the ability to make an informed decision as to what, if any further action needs to be taken. Detect-A-Leak inspections do not assess compliance with the NZ Building Code or structural aspects.

No testing of electrical, gas, water or other mechanical appliances or services are carried out as part of our inspections.  

Infrared Services

Infrared Building Inspections

• Flat Roof Membrane Checks
• Cladding Inspections
• Internal Moisture Detection
• Missing insulation and fitment issues
• Heat Pumps/Air Conditioning Performance & Ducting Checks
• Window Leaks
• Pre-purchase Inspections & New Home Audits
• Preventative & Predictive Maintenance
• Post Repair Audits

Mechanical & Electrical Inspections

• Hot Spot Checks
• Overloaded Circuits
• Faulty Terminal Connections
• High & Low Voltage Contacts
• Floor Heating Faults and Mapping
• Damaged Insulation
• Electric Motor Load Balancing
• V Belt Tension
• Cooling Systems
• Hydraulic System Operation
• Alignment of Pumps
• Bearing Problems
• Preventative & Predictive Maintenance

Thermal Imaging is Non-Destructive, Non-Invasive, Cost Effective & used to improve Energy Efficiency

Other applications for infrared

• Veterinary Applications
• Tank Level Detection
• Medical Applications
• Automotive Applications
• Marine Applications
• Aircraft Applications
• Pipeline Inspection
• Electronic Equipment
• Pulp and Paper
• Steam Turbine & Hydroelectric Generators
• Miscellaneous Applications