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 not required the inspection price can be reduced. 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
Our most popular building inspection when purchasing as most purchasers need to know if the house they are considering to purchase has moisture issues or not and a general overview of the exterior condition, to reduce the risk of buying a leaky building. The Inspector will conduct a thorough interior moisture inspection scaning and checking interior walls and ceilings looking for IR anomalies and any detectable sign of past or present moisture ingress, including the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas and other random areas will also be checked with our moisture meter. We will also conduct a general exterior inspection, taking photos and looking for moisture related issues. If the customer is happy with the moisture scan they can decide at the time if they would like us to further inspect the cladding, membrane or roof areas, at which time the inspector can have a more in depth closeup look at any areas of concern. An extension ladder is always taken to each job for roof access if required and can be done safely. On an average size home please allow at least two hours for the inspection to be completed plus additional time if areas need to be further inspected. If a number of moisture issues are found investigating and documenting this can add more time to the inspection.
Please note most other thermographers conducting moisture inspections do not comment on moisture related exterior roof, cladding and maintenance issues. Often Home Inspectors also do not comment on moisture related exterior issues, as you mainly only become aware of them when regularly conducting moisture inspections. 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 other types of inspections.
Pre-sale Infrared Moisture Inspections
If you require a standard Infrared Moisture Inspection report for your real estate agent (so that thay 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. We can conduct the inspection without inspecting the exterior. Our inspector will tailor the inspection to suit your needs.
Cladding Maintenance Inspection
Our inspector will conduct a thorough cladding inspection, closely inspecting joints and flashing connections of the cladding looking for moisture related maintenance issues, cracks, mould, missing or defective flashings, mechanical damage, design problems, applicator issues, and potential future problems and of course any sign of moisture ingress to the best of our ability. 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.
Membrane Maintenance Inspection
Our inspector will conduct a thorough membrane inspection, closely inspecting joints and flashing connections of the cladding looking for maintenance issues, cracks, mould, damaged or defective membrane, mechanical damage, design problems, applicator issues, and potential future problems and of course any sign of moisture ingress to the best of our ability. 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 membranes may require additional time due to the high amount or issues that are often detected.
Target Inspection
Target Scan inspections are a minimum charge of 1 hour including a small report. The inspector will inspect targeted areas as per your request. Additional time on site if required is charged at a reduced rate per hour.
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 sign of moisture ingress. It is a good idea to have maintenance inspections documented for future reference especially if you have a plaster home. 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 of the thermal images 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 time of inspection.
All thermal anomalies that are outside standard parameters are subject to further investigation by the client to confirm and repair any possible problems. Further investigation and/or repair should only be carried out by an appropriate licensed tradesman.
These inspections are still of a visual nature and inspector cannot be expected to find issues that were not easily visible at the time of the inspection.
Detect-A-Leak Ltd cannot be expected to find every moisture issue in the area being tested, nor can we be expected to find the source of each leak being inspected. 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.
