Apartment Inspection with a Thermal Imager: How to Identify Hidden Insulation Defects and Protect Housing from Freezing
With the onset of cold weather, the issue of energy efficiency and heat retention in a new apartment becomes a cornerstone of comfortable living. Modern developers often promise “innovative insulation” and “maximum energy saving” in their advertising brochures, however, the reality at construction sites in Kyiv and the region often turns out to be far from ideal. Violation of mineral wool laying technology, savings on polystyrene foam, poor-quality sealing of inter-floor joints — all this leads to the appearance of hidden defects that cannot be seen during a standard inspection. A professional apartment inspection with a thermal imager is the only high-tech method of non-destructive testing that allows making any heat leaks visible and protecting your future budget from astronomical heating bills.
How Does Thermal Imaging Equipment Work Indoors?
The principle of operation of thermal imaging equipment is based on the detection of infrared radiation from the room’s surfaces. On the device’s screen, the engineer sees a clear thermogram, where each color corresponds to a specific temperature indicator. Blue and violet shades unmistakably indicate zones of critical temperature drop — so-called “thermal bridges.”
Checking an apartment with a thermal imager before signing the acceptance certificate gives the investor a unique advantage: you record the developer’s technological flaw before you start painting and decorating works. The problem of wall freezing is especially acute in corner apartments and housing on the first or top floors. To comprehensively protect your rights, we recommend combining an energy audit with a general inspection by ordering professional technical supervision during apartment acceptance from GBU company specialists. Using a thermal imager allows you to look inside structures and identify defects that are usually masked by plaster or drywall.
How Does a Thermal Imager Check from GlobalBud Ukraine Happen?
During thermal imaging, a GlobalBud Ukraine engineer examines the following risk zones in detail:
- Mounting seams of light-transmitting structures — the absence or insufficient amount of mounting foam around frames, the absence of vapor barrier tapes, and defects in the adjustment of sash pressing are identified. You can learn about the consequences of poor-quality installation in this zone from our news about cracks and drafts at windows and doors.
- Utility and corner joints of facade walls — voids in masonry and concrete freezing due to improper installation of external insulation are recorded.
- Hidden heating systems — the uniformity of radiator heating is checked, as well as the step of laying and the absence of kinks or leaks in the pipes of water-based underfloor heating directly inside the cement screed.
A separate and extremely important stage of the thermal imaging audit is checking the air exchange systems. Builders often make mistakes when setting up ventilation shafts, which leads to the occurrence of backdraft when cold air from the street begins to be sucked into the apartment. The consequences of non-working ventilation combined with thermal bridges are the guaranteed appearance of high humidity and persistent black mold damage on the walls, which will be extremely difficult to remove later. Read about exactly how engineers localize such problems in the article on checking ventilation in an apartment with an anemometer.
What Is the Result of an Apartment Inspection with a Thermal Imager?
The result of an apartment inspection with a thermal imager is an official report that contains thermograms of all problematic areas with a clear indication of temperature anomalies. With such a document in hand, you get rock-solid arguments for filing claims against the developer. Instead of long disputes, you simply demonstrate color images from the device, which clearly prove a violation of construction regulations. The developer will be forced to dismantle the slopes, re-seal the windows, or redo the facade insulation at their own expense. Invest in a thermal imaging inspection from GBU — ensure heat, comfort, and a healthy microclimate in your new home for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to check an apartment with a thermal imager in the summer?
To obtain accurate and objective results of thermal imaging, a temperature difference between the room and the street (delta) of at least 15°C is required. Therefore, it is most effective to conduct such an inspection during the heating season — from October to April.
Will a thermal imager show leaks in the underfloor heating system under tiles?
Yes, the device perfectly sees the contours of heating pipes under any covering (tiles, laminate, linoleum) provided that the system is turned on and heated. This allows for precise localization of the place of a rupture or kink of the pipe without destroying the entire floor.
How much does a thermal imager check cost and does it pay off?
The cost of thermal imaging is incommensurate with the financial losses you will incur for paying for extra kilowatt-hours of electricity or for redoing the finishing renovation due to the appearance of mold. The service pays for itself in the very first month of winter due to the elimination of thermal bridges by the developer.
