What thermal imaging can and can’t show
A thermal camera reads surface temperature. It doesn’t see through walls. What it shows is the temperature pattern that water leaves on the surface: a cool stain spreading down a wall, or a warm bloom on a floor above a hot-water line.
Because other things change surface temperature too, such as drafts, insulation gaps and sunlight, thermal images are always confirmed with a moisture meter before any conclusion is drawn.
Signs you may need thermal imaging inspection
- Stains or bubbling paint on ceilings or walls
- A musty smell with no visible source
- Soft or swollen drywall or baseboards
- Water damage below a bathroom or laundry room
- Warm spots on the floor
- Water coming in after storms, around windows or walls
Common causes
- Supply and drain leaks inside walls and ceilings
- Hot-water leaks under slabs
- Shower and tub leaks into the floor below
- Water intrusion through windows, walls and roofs
Recognize these signs? The sooner the leak is found, the smaller the repair.
(877) 729-0265How we locate it
- Infrared scanWe scan the affected area and the rooms around it.
- Moisture meter confirmationReadings confirm what the camera shows.
- Acoustic listening (when needed)Pinpoints a pressurized leak behind the thermal pattern.
- Photo reportThermal and regular photos side by side for your plumber and insurer.
Want the details? Read how professional leak detection works.
What to do before we arrive
- Avoid running showers or appliances near the wet area on the day of the inspection, so the pattern stays clear.
- Note when the stain appeared and whether it grows after rain or after using a fixture.
After we find the leak
You get a set of thermal and regular photos with moisture readings. If the source is a pipe, we mark it; if it’s water coming in from outside, the report shows where it’s entering.
What affects the cost
The cost depends on the size of the area and whether the inspection is combined with leak pinpointing. Detection and repair are quoted separately, and we can arrange both through our plumbing partner. See what affects leak detection cost, or call for a quote for your home.
Helpful guides
- Outside Spigot Leaking: Dripping, Handle Leaks and Leaks Inside the Wall
- How to Find a Water Leak Inside a Wall
- Shower Pan Leak: Signs, How to Test It and What to Do
- Water Leaking From the Ceiling: What to Do and How to Find the Source
- Burst Pipe Insurance Claim in Indiana: What to Do, Step by Step
- Water in the Basement or Crawl Space: Plumbing Leak or Groundwater?
- How Professional Leak Detection Works
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Slab Leaks?
- Is Professional Leak Detection Worth It?
Where we offer thermal imaging inspection
We’re based in Bargersville and provide thermal imaging inspection across Johnson County and nearby towns: Bargersville, Greenwood, Franklin, Center Grove, Whiteland & New Whiteland, Trafalgar, Nineveh & Prince’s Lakes, Morgantown and Southport & Perry Township.
Town pages for this service: Thermal Imaging Leak Inspection in Franklin.
Frequently asked questions
Can thermal imaging find water leaks?
It finds the temperature pattern a leak leaves on walls, ceilings and floors. Combined with moisture readings, that points to where the water is coming from.
Can a thermal camera see through walls?
No. It reads surface temperature. Moisture inside a wall changes that surface temperature, which is what the camera picks up.
Can I use my own thermal camera?
Consumer cameras can show obvious patterns, but reading them correctly takes experience, and every finding should be confirmed with a moisture meter.
