- Had a similar thing with the “hot spot” on my scan—turned out to be an old extension cord, not a leak.
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In my experience, maybe 80% of the time it’s just weird stuff like that. The other 20%? Actually useful—found a slow leak behind my chimney once that would’ve been a nightmare later.“if these things ever actually catch a real problem, or if it’s just a high-tech way to find lost pets and forgotten appliances.”
- Not convinced it’s always worth the price, but I guess it beats tearing up drywall just to check.
Thermal scans can be a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. I’ve seen plenty of “hot spots” on reports that turned out to be nothing more than an old attic fan plugged in, or even sunlight hitting a patch of insulation weirdly. But when they do catch something real—like that slow leak you mentioned—it can save a ton of headache and money down the line.
It’s true, the price can feel steep if all you end up finding is a forgotten extension cord. At the same time, tracking down hidden moisture without cutting holes in ceilings or walls is nearly impossible otherwise. I had a job last winter where the scan picked up a leak around some flashing that hadn’t even stained the drywall yet. Caught it before it did any real damage.
Guess it comes down to risk tolerance and how much peace of mind is worth to you. For folks with older roofs or complex valleys, it’s at least worth considering every few years... but I’d never say it’s mandatory for everyone. Sometimes old-school eyes and a flashlight still do the trick.
Sometimes old-school eyes and a flashlight still do the trick.
That’s spot on. I’ve seen thermal scans flag stuff that turned out to be a sunbeam hitting a rafter just right, but I’ve also watched them catch a slow drip behind a wall that would’ve been impossible to spot otherwise. It’s definitely not magic, but it can be a solid tool in the right hands.
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the techy images and “hot spots” in your report, don’t stress too much. Here’s how I usually break it down for folks:
1. Look for patterns—one random hot spot might be nothing, but a line of them along flashing or valleys? Worth another look.
2. Cross-check with what you can see or feel—sometimes you’ll notice a musty smell or soft drywall where the scan flagged something.
3. If you’re unsure, ask whoever did the scan to walk you through it in plain English.
You’re right about peace of mind being personal. For some, it’s worth every penny; for others, it feels like overkill. Either way, catching issues early is always cheaper than waiting for water stains to show up on your ceiling...
Those thermal scans can look like something out of a NASA mission, right? I’ve had clients hand me reports with more colors than a bag of Skittles. Honestly, you nailed it—sometimes it’s just a sunbeam, sometimes it’s a leak hiding in plain sight. Don’t let the tech overwhelm you. Gut instinct and a little common sense still go a long way, even with all the gadgets. If anything seems off, just ask for a walk-through—no shame in wanting things explained without the sci-fi lingo.
Don’t let the tech overwhelm you. Gut instinct and a little common sense still go a long way, even with all the gadgets.
Totally agree—sometimes those scans just make things look scarier than they are. I’ve seen “hot spots” that turned out to be nothing but a patch of sun on metal flashing. Still, I do like having the tech as backup when my eyes aren’t sure. Just gotta remember it’s a tool, not gospel.
