AUSINSPECTPest
& Asset Maintenance
|
|
|
|
Can you afford not to have this added benefit ? Not in our Opinion. It is simply amazing the frequency that faults such as leaks, that would otherwise have gone undetected visually are readily observed thermally, even in new buildings or units in multistorey structures. By using Thermal Imaging we can often observe concealed building faults, concealed termite damage, points of condensation that inturn indicate decay or potential for mould growth and poor structural framing that would otherwise not be possible by normal human vision. Having used thermal imaging since 1978, constantly in buildings since 1995, we believe that Steve Koelewyn has developed a much broader knowledge of a buildings environment simply by the frequency of use and the experience gained by using the thermal technology for a long time. AUSINSPECT has replaced the aged Informatics 600 thermal camera purchased in April 1995 with a new E series, Flir THERMAcam, purchased July 2002. Again Ausinspect purchases a new Flir Thermal Camera in February 2008, Ausinspect is committed to keeping thermal equipment up to date. AUSINSPECT has been continually aiming to provide Thermal Imaging in day to day inspections, this was not previously possible with the first thermal camera purchased as it was bulky with three pieces of equipment and therefore it was extremely difficult to take it into areas like roof voids, sub floors and around many buildings. The first camera was primarily used for specialist inspections and our own R&D. Our new camera is compact and has the ease of use that makes it a convenient tool for our day to day inspections. AUSINSPECT now carries out a thermal scan during all Pre-Purchase Inspections. A thermal camera is only an inspection tool, like all tools there are limitations and there are advantages, a thermal camera is not a magic wand and will not expose all defects and/or all termite workings but combined with other inspection techniques & inspection tools will provide a broader, more comprehensive assessment of the condition of the inspected item/s. Human vision detects a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, a thermal camera provides additional vision within the infrared spectrum therefore broadening the vision of objects viewed. In simple terms a thermal camera will visualise the variations in thermal temperature of objects observed. In the past we have been reluctant to provide thermal imaging services for the detection of termite infestations and/or termite damage in buildings for the simple reason that it is successful in detection of termites where the termite activity and/or damage is extensive but it will not necessarily detect small termite mud trails or limited termite workings. I have always claimed that the thermal camera is a valuable tool in termite detection but is absolutely useless unless other inspection tools and techniques are used in combination with this tool. Due to the fact that the thermal camera has enormous advantages in some situations we have endeavoured to make it possible to add thermal imaging to the majority of inspections carried out by AUSINSPECT Thermal imaging assists in detecting many items that may be of concern that are concealed by wall linings, these include termite damage or termite sub-nests, moisture damage and many other building issues. Although the thermal imaging may have indicated a possible problem, further investigation is often needed to determine the possible causes of the area of concern, if a termites sub-nest is located then the combination of a moisture meter + Term-a-Trac + hearing devices + borescopes + fibre-optics + CCTV are commonly used to determine concealed termite activity etc'. Some of these tools can only be used while performing a more invasive inspection rather than the non-destructive inspection carried out in a pre-purchase situation. We wish to emphasise the fact that thermal imaging is not a stand alone tool used for the detection of termites as has been the conception provided to the general public by some other companies - thermal imaging when used with the expertise gained from years of termite, inspection and building experience by the operator, together with other advance technology tools, will provide valuable information that can not be gained in any other manner. Therefore it is prudent to have a property scanned with a thermal imaging camera. Stephen Koelewyn carries the thermal imaging camera on his belt during all inspections and therefore has the camera handy at all times. Due to the ease of use and short start up time the camera can be used instantly when needed. Combined with our small Tablet PC (computer), digital camera and now our new thermal camera we can continue to provide high quality colour reports. We endeavour to provide our clients with the most advanced technology available when we become aware of it and/or when we can afford to do so while maintaining a competitive price structure for the services we provide.
If you want to order a Pre-Purchase Inspection please print a Pre Inspection Agreement form and fax it to our office. Contact InformationWe would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us regarding any matter.
|
Stephen Koelewyn - NSW Builders Licence 45109c - Building Consultant Licence BC213 - Pest Control Licence 2025Home
|
Picture above shows damp spots in
ceiling and wall linings due to leaking around screw hole of metal skillion
roofing above - the location of the leak could not have been identified by other
means without removing or damaging linings.
Thermal inconsistencies to base of wall in brick veneered
dwelling caused by overflowing guttering above, the moisture in this area could
attract termite damage, the moisture to wall cavities has potential to provide
conditions for toxic moulds and other bacteria to multiply, moulds and bacteria
could present a health hazard.
Thermal inconsistencies to flooring that has been exposed to
localised flooding. 
Thermal inconsistencies observed to raked ceiling under metal
skillion roofing can be observed thermally, this image clearly indicates
moisture pooling as a result of excessive condensation to the underside of the
metal roofing as a result of high humidity levels that have multiplied over time
within this section of the dwelling, moisture of this type in this type of
roofing detail often attracts termites and/or causes decay to concealed timbers.
Thermal inconsistencies are indicative of the moisture passage
down wall cavities where blocked downpipes have caused moisture to overflow from
guttering into the wall cavities of the dwelling, the repetitive exposure to
this type of moisture egress after periods of heavy rainfall will likely cause
significant structural damage and damage to exposed building materials over
time, the source of this type of moisture would not have been able to have been
readily determined under conventional methods of inspection or by visual
inspection, simple alterations to the guttering and downpipe details of this
property will minimise the risk of sick building syndrome and/or termite damage
and/or concealed decay.
Ditto
Thermal imaging identifies condensation to masonry wall above
door opening, to the southern side of the dwelling, this condensation in this
localised area caused mould growth to surfaces, a small alteration to this
detail will minimise the accumulation of humidity and subsequent condensation,
once the moisture source has been resolved the conditions for mould
multiplication will no longer exist.
Thermal inconsistencies reveal moisture pentration through the
interface of a metal skillion roof and the external upper level wall of the
double storey dwelling, the source of the moisture egress can be accurately
identified and appropriate repairs carried out, the cost of repairs were reduced
significantly due to the accurate identification of the moisture source.
Condensation over the top plate of the wall under low side of a
skillion roof can be clearly viewed thermally, this condensation provides ideal
conditions to attract termites. It is common for termite damage to be found in
the wall under the low side of skillion roofs, this type of termite damage is
more often than not directly related to condensation forming to the underside of
metal roofing.
Timber framing can be viewed thermally, the temperatures within a
dwelling will often influence the clarity of a thermal image with regard to the
likes of timber framing as the thermal camera brings into a visual image
differences in surface heat, if all surfaces are could or of a similar
temperature no differences will be observed. 
Thermal inconsistencies observed over the header of a window
raise concern of potential concealed termite damage, this area had no other
indicator identifying a concealed fault.
Leaks to bathroom of upper level could be viewed thermally from
within the lower level below the bathroom, as the moisture had not caused
surface stains and the area of the cornice is not readily accessible for testing
with moisture meter, these faults would have gone undetected had thermal
technology not been used.
Leaks over ceiling due to damage hip mortar to tiled roof as
observed thermally.
Thermal inconsistencies raise concern of concealed termite damage
to a wall frame, we carried out further invasive inspection in this location
based on this information to expose the wall frame, the invasive inspection
revealed extensive termite damage. No higher than normal moisture readings or
any other indicators of possible concealed termite damage were observed at the
time of the inspection, without thermal technology this termite activity would
have gone undetected.
Ditto
Significant leaks observed thermally to ceiling of lower level in
a double storey dwelling, no bathroom or other wet area was located above this
detail, further invasive inspection revealed a separated joint in a plastic
drain pipe running over this ceiling area.
Thermal image reveals a thermal inconsistency in the middle of a
wall within a brick veneered dwelling, this area would not have been observed
had it not been for the use of thermal imaging, this particular house had
significant termite damage to the majority of the timber framing and had been
treated some years ago, the reinfestation of active termites would have gone
completely undetected had it not been for the use of the thermal imaging camera
at the time of the inspection.
