Looking at Mighty Mo over my shoulder my client asked why the master bedroom wall was so hot.
During a thermal image sweep of the house I like it when my clients want to follow me around. They are usually very interested in the thermal camera and I can explain various things as we go from place to place.
As we went into the master bedroom I was demonstrating how the tray ceiling insulation was well placed. (I like delivering good news...)
But then, on one wall, there was a warm spot.
You can see it was not that warm, but on the thermal camera it looked really hot.
"Why is it so hot there?" she asked, looking over my shoulder.
Knowing what was on the other side I thought I might have some fun. I saw the little warm spot just to the left of center and that was the clue.
I said that inside walls a thermal camera can find termites, animals, missing insulation, and the like.
Her eyes got really wide and she said that it was a brand new house so why would anything like that be inside the wall?
Walking around the other side I showed her what was causing the heat. The master bathroom lights had been on for a while and their thermal influence was coming through the bare drywall. The little warm spot was the junction box.
"So, what you were seeing is the back side of this light fixture. Bummer, no animals, no termites, no explosions ready to happen..." My smile said it all. Going back around to the other side she could actually feel where the light fixture was.
My recommendation: sometimes a thermal camera can find an unusual thing that is not good news! In this case the problem was solved as soon as the thermographer saw it, but he thought he'd have a little fun anyway. Putting clients at ease with good news or fun explanations is never a bad thing!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Hey good morning Jay, that camera seems like a great and cool thing to carry around.
I've been using it for almost 14 years, Marco. It is the sharpest tool in my quiver.
Good morning Jay. Mighty Mo provides some great stories and points out unseen problems! Enjoy your day!
There is a story in every image Wayne!
Now that was just cruel. Termites, animals and insulation , oh my!
I was a regular wizard, Stephen.
Hey lady... there's a dog in your wall!
Bobo crawled in there for a nice nap, Fred.
Seen it before.