Thermal imaging cameras detect infrared energy and convert this into a thermal image allowing you to see the distribution of heat throughout the scene. PASS stocks a range of thermal imaging cameras optimised for building, heating, and plumbing diagnostics, including models by FLIR and Testo. Plumbers and heating engineers use thermal cameras to improve the ease and efficiency of jobs as they provide a fast and simple method of identifying damp, water damage, radiator blockages, and leaking pipes. Read on to discover five ways a thermal imaging camera can help you in your daily work.

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1.) Detect Radiator Blockages

These two images clearly show that the top of the radiator is hotter than the bottom; this indicates that the radiator is not operating properly and needs to be bled. The scale to the right of each image illustrates the maximum and minimum temperatures measured in the field-of-view, while the spot temperature detailed at the top of the picture is the temperature at the cross. Bleeding the radiator should result in a higher maximum temperature which is more or less consistent across the whole radiator.

Thermal image of a radiator taken using a Rainbow Palette. The top is red and white, indicating it is hotter, and the bottom is yellow, indicating it is colder.
Rainbow Palette
Thermal image of a radiator taken in an Ironbow palette. The top is white and yellow, indicating it is hotter, the bottom is orange and pink, indicating it is colder.
Ironbow Palette

Rainbow vs Ironbow

The first image was captured using a Rainbow palette; the image below it was taken using an Ironbow palette. Electricians will swear by an Ironbow palette as it allows them to pick out faulty components quickly but plumbers and heating engineers often report preferring the Rainbow palette as it provides more detail. This makes it easier to see heat distribution and thereby identify blockages and, as we will come to see, determine the extent of damp, as well as pinpoint areas lacking insulation.  

2.) See Pipes

Trying to find pipes is frustrating and time-consuming. Thermal cameras provide a solution to this. In the right conditions, they can be used to ‘see-through’ walls and locate pipes.

Thermal image of a pipe in a wall taken using a Rainbow colour palette.
Thermal image of a pipe in a wall taken using a Rainbow colour palette.
Thermal image of a pipe in a wall feeding a radiator. The image is taken using a Rainbow colour palette.

This allows you to identify pipes feeding radiators and is particularly useful for pinpointing leaking pipes in floors and walls.

3.) Locate Insulation Problems

Blue around the seal of the door illustrates that this area is cold. This suggests that the seal is not providing adequate insulation and could be the reason the room feels draughty.

Thermal image of a door seal taken using a Rainbow colour palette. The blue around the seal indicate inadequate insulation.

Windows can also fall victim to this problem, as evidenced in the following thermal picture.

Thermal image of a window seal taken using a Rainbow colour palette. The blue around the seal indicate inadequate insulation.

Similarly, the blue spots in the image below could signify that the wall is not as well insulated as the ceiling.

Thermal image of a wall and ceiling taken using a Rainbow colour palette. The blue on the walls indicates inadequate insulation and/or damp.

However, these blue spots could also point to the presence of damp. Cold and damp areas are at increased risk of mould.

4.) Find & Assess Water Damage & Damp

Thermal cameras provide a fast way of discovering water damage and/or damp, as well as gauging the extent or spread of this damage.

Thermal image of a wall taken using a Rainbow colour palette. The blue spots indicate damp or areas susceptible to damp.

Blue denotes areas that are colder and potentially damper than red areas. These spaces may already be affected by damp or mould and/or are at high risk of developing it. Green and yellow areas are the next coldest spaces and are therefore at moderate risk of damp/mould.

A similar issue can be seen in the thermal image below.

Thermal image of a wall and ceiling taken using a Rainbow colour palette. The blue spots on the ceiling indicate damp or areas susceptible to damp.

It is worth noting that the high-sensitivity of the thermal camera used to take this image means it has picked up on the temperature difference between the breeze blocks and the cement. As a result, you can see behind the plaster wall.

Using thermal cameras to find colder, damper spaces also works when uncovering water damage.

5.) Determine the Efficacy of Heating Appliances

Red and white areas signal high thermal energy or heat. In the image below a radiator has been fitted to the opposite side of the wall. The patch of red and white shows it is working effectively. However, the fact we can see this through the wall implies that the wall itself may require further insulation.

Thermal image of a wall with a radiator fitted to the opposite side taken using a Rainbow palette. A large red and white area indicates the radiator is functioning correctly.

Further Information

Thermal cameras provide a quick and easy solution for diagnosing a range of plumbing, heating, building, and electrical problems. In addition to the plumbing and heating applications outlined above, thermal cameras can be used to evaluate the efficacy of underfloor heating, and troubleshoot air conditioning and ventilation units.

For more information regarding the uses of thermal cameras, as well as advice on selecting the right model for you, please don’t hesitate to contact our sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.

In the meantime, please browse our eclectic range of building diagnostic thermal cameras and electrical and mechanical thermal cameras.