Some benefits to using a FLIR camera in a Home Inspection on a brand new home

Dan Klinge, Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Boise, and Jesse Taylor with 44 North Home Inspections have a look at a few different areas where a thermal camera (FLIR one Pro LT + Samsung Galaxy S10+) come in handy during a home inspection and share some other general information.
If you are a home inspector, I recommend getting a HIGHER grade camera than this one. While it's great for agents like myself, I am not a home inspector.
Dan Klinge - 208-963-1313 danklingereale...
Jesse Taylor - 208-991-8298 44northhomeins...
edited by Brooks Imaging - brooksimagingd...
Dan Klinge
Keller Williams Realty Boise
📱Call or Text: 208-963-1343
📨Email: [e-mail]

[@michaeloakland4665]

After watching this video (4:45 mark), I realized that the inspector misinterpreted the thermal image he was looking at. He said he was "seeing the plumbing underneath the house..." which is not true. He was seeing the reflected thermal image (mirror image) of the pipes above due to the glossy finish of the cabinet floor. I strongly suggest this inspector get additional training on how to use infrared to avoid making mistakes like this. It would also be a wise move to get a camera that is higher resolution than the consumer-grade smart-phone plug-in unit he uses in this video. It's better than nothing, but it's much less accurate than a higher resolution camera. Professional IR camera resolution should be no less than 160x120 pixels of IR data. 320x240 resolution or higher is even better (although much more expensive). The unit he's using appears to be a lower resolution unit (looks like 80x60) which is half the minimum recommended resolution. This is more of a hobby tool or homeowner tool than a tool for professional use. As a side note, plumbing leaks are visible with IR regardless of the temperature. We run hot or cold to make the contrast easier to see. That's all. If you see a leak thermally contrasted from the surface it lands on, take a picture and put it in the report.

[@chinaphonefixteam6300]

This is a somewhat involved process that requires some concentration, tools and experience.

[@The_Unobtainium]

And there are much, and i mean MUCH, better cameras on the market than Flir and its price tag.

[@mr.c6674]

But FLIR works as advertised. Your comment is true for EVERYTHING, but not everyone needs "much better".

[@MixingGBP]

Please advise about the better brands of cameras. I’m looking to get one and I’m new to these cameras.

[@salb714]

After watching this video. I started looking into a flir camera. Will be getting one soon. Hopefully make a video about it as well. Good looking new home. Good colors. Overall I enjoy the video a lot.

[@Randomalia]

Sweet! Post the link here after you put it up.

[@salb714]

​@@Randomalia Will do. Also if you do more home inspections make videos. I am in construction so seeing homes is good to see what ppl do in their homes with their remodel.

[@stevec5000]

Don't do it, they are rubbish!

[@williamlloyd3769]

Are you using a “new” home just as an example or are you recommending you have a newly built home inspected after builder turns it over to you?

[@DanKlinge]

I would ALWAYS recommend having a home inspected before it closes and gets turned over to the buyer. It would really do my buyer zero good to inspect after they take ownership....they would then nave zero leverage with which to have the builder fix any issues that came up in that inspection. In this case I was allowed, by a builder, to use this house just prior to it's closing as a favor.

[@stevec5000]

How did they show this working when the software is rubbish that won't run? Was it all faked using AI?

[@pg13ish93]

As far as stud finders go this one is over kill 😂

[@DoctorOreos]

Are you able to inspect rodents within the walls with this camera?

[@DanKlinge]

I guess it would be possible if there was a huge temperature differential in the wall....it might show up as a hot or cold spot.