What is an infrared thermal imaging property inspection, and why is it so important in the new age of foreclosed properties?

First off, you cannot inspect what you cannot see.

Thermography means “writing with heat”, just like photography means “writing with light.”  The picture that is generated is called a thermogram or thermal imaging.

Thermal imaging is a technology that allows  Healthy Home Inspections LLC to show you things about your home or commercial building that are impossible  to achieve using other inspection methods. Thermography is a "heat diagram" or a visible picture using the infrared spectrum of light. This imaging technique is a powerful and noninvasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings.

Listed below are a few of the advantages you will receive with a thermal imaging inspection!

Thermal imaging can identify:

1. Plumbing and building envelope water leaks, that could lead to  fungal growth
2. Missing, or damaged insulation, heat loss and air infiltration in walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors
3. Electrical faults before they cause a power outage or cause a fire 

Thermal imaging property inspections help diagnose problems rather than merely identify symptoms.  These are non-intrusive inspection devices intended to extend our ability to detect conditions within this limited non-intrusive inspection.

 Second, should the inspector you hire to perform a thermal imaging scan of your property be a certified thermographer?

There are no Federal, State or local regulations, we are aware of that requires anyone to be certified to any standard to perform infrared thermography inspections in United States.

Hiring a certified thermographer that meets or exceeds the ASNT (American Society of Nondestructive Testing) standards demonstrates that the certified individual has the knowledge to provide a qualified inspection.

Deck Safety

According to NADRA (North American Deck and Railing Association) there were 30 deaths between 2000 and 2006 from deck failures.

Some of the more common deck construction mistakes that I see are:

• Missing or Improper deck flashing - Flashing prevents water from entering behind the deck and into the structure. Flashing is required where decks attach to a wall or floor assembly of wood frame construction.

• Insufficient Deck Ledger Connection - Deck ledgers must be bolted or lagged to the house in order to develop sufficient structural capacity.

• Improper Size Handgrip - The handgrip for a non-circular cross section must have total perimeter dimension of at least 4 inches but not more than 6.25 inches.

• Guard opening limitations - Deck flooring elevated 30 inches or more above grade shall have guardrails with intermediate rails or ornamental closures which do not allow passage of a sphere 4 inches or more in diameter.

• Insufficient floor joists supports - Joists framing into the side of a wood girder shall be supported by approved framing anchors or on ledger strips not less than nominal 2 inches by 2 inches.

• Improper Foundations - Decks must be built on suitable foundations capable of supporting the load and accommodating environmental forces

• Decks Improperly supported on brick veneer - Masonry veneer shall not support any vertical load other than the dead load of the veneer above.

The code load requirement for residential decks is 40 pounds per square feet (psf) live load, which represents the weight of the people and moveable objects, such as planters and deck furniture, that use and occupies the deck. Assuming a 12 ft. by 12 ft. deck and that the average weight of the occupants is 150 lbs, the deck would safely support 38 adults.

It is practically impossible to overload a deck designed and built to the 40 psf live load requirement. The danger rests in the fact that the majority of decks and porches were not built correctly, making a crowded deck party a dangerous situation.

Tips on how best to Choosing a Qualified Georgia Home Inspector

Credentials Matter!!

First, Georgia has no state or local requirements to perform home inspections. None!!

Second, Less than 2% of Georgia home inspectors have any of the following State of Georgia Construction licenses. Electrical, conditioned air, plumbing, and general contractor.

Listed below are my four State of Georgia Construction Licenses and or Certifications.
• State of Georgia Electrical Contractor license number EN009660
• State of Georgia Conditioned Air Contractor license number CR005780
• Georgia Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicators license number 02077
• Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission awareness certified subcontractor certification number 000050705

Third, Less than 90% of Georgia home inspectors are certified by the International Code Council in the following five categories.

Listed below are my five International Code Council Certifications.
• ICC Residential Building Inspector 517017 – B1
• ICC Residential Electrical Inspector 517017 – E1
• ICC Residential Mechanical 517017 – M1
• ICC Residential Plumbing Inspector 517017 – P1
• ICC Residential Combination Inspector 517017 – R5

Fourth, Over 95% of home inspection reports in Georgia do not address applicable building code violations. Hiring a home inspector who is not addressed applicable building code issues is like hiring a Lawyer, who is not addressing legal issues.

I urge you to consider the following when choosing a home inspector:

Ask to see one of their reports
The findings of your home inspection should be detailed in a written report covering the items inspected. There is no standard format for this report and styles vary widely from a simple checklist to an extensive report detailing each of your home’s major components complete with digital pictures. When a defect is found, the inspector should help you understand the magnitude of the problem, answer any questions and make recommendations on how or who should correct the defect. Simply checking a box marked "poor" or "inadequate" will not provide you with the information required to understand the extent of the defect or what exactly needs to be repaired.

Research their credentials
Georgia has no requirements for home inspectors. However, you can learn a lot about an inspector by researching his or her credentials.

Make sure they’re insured.
The home inspector should be prepared to provide an insurance certificate to prove they have the required insurance.

Make sure they’re members of the following home inspector associations.
ASHI, GAHI, and InterNACHI home inspector associations.

Don’t base your decision solely on price.
Your home inspection will be an unbiased, professional assessment on the condition of the physical structure and various systems within the house. You should make sure that you are hiring a professional with the knowledge and training necessary to provide you with the sound information you need to make informed decisions, and not make your decision based on price alone. A highly qualified inspector will have put a large investment into the certifications, training, and continuing education required to provide a high quality service. As with most things, when it comes to home inspections, you generally get what you pay for.