Those thermal scans are a double-edged sword, honestly. I’ve had two done over the years—one on my current place (1978 split-level, original insulation in half the attic) and one at my old house. Both times, the reports were full of “anomalies” that turned out to be nothing but cold air sneaking in around soffit vents or spots where the insulation had settled. The only time it actually helped was when it flagged a spot near a chimney chase that I’d never thought to check, and sure enough, there was a tiny bit of water staining from an old flashing issue. But even then, I only noticed because I went up there myself after a rainstorm.
I get why inspectors use these tools—they’re trying to be thorough, and nobody wants to miss something major. But unless you’re dealing with a flat roof or some weird architectural detail that’s hard to access, most leaks or moisture problems show up as stains, peeling paint, or musty smells long before they’re visible on a scan. And yeah, those blue blobs on the PDF are basically just “here’s a cold spot, good luck figuring out why.” Not exactly actionable info.
I’m with you on monitoring things yourself for a while. If you’ve got attic access and aren’t afraid of a little dust, it’s way more effective to check after a big storm or during a humid spell. That’s when you’ll see if there’s an active leak or just condensation from poor ventilation.
One thing I do wonder about: has anyone had luck using these scans in newer builds with spray foam or really tight envelopes? I imagine the tech might be more useful there since any anomaly would stand out more clearly against the uniform insulation. In older houses like ours, though, it just seems like overkill most of the time... unless you’re chasing peace of mind or have zero interest in crawling around your attic.
Curious if anyone’s ever had an inspector actually pinpoint something serious with thermal imaging that wasn’t already obvious by other means. Or is it mostly just another way to upsell repairs?
I’ve seen thermal scans actually catch a couple of hidden issues in newer builds—mainly spots where the spray foam didn’t get applied evenly, or where a window wasn’t sealed right. In those cases, the cold spots really did stand out and led to fixes before any water damage happened. But in older homes, especially with patchy insulation or vented attics, you’re right... the scans can be more confusing than helpful. I still think they’re a decent tool, but only if the inspector knows how to interpret what’s normal for your type of house. Otherwise, it does sometimes feel like a sales pitch for extra work you might not need.
But in older homes, especially with patchy insulation or vented attics, you’re right... the scans can be more confusing than helpful.
That’s spot on. I’ve run into this a bunch—thermal scans on a 1950s ranch with a vented attic and mixed insulation just light up like a Christmas tree, but half the “cold spots” are just normal airflow. I had one client panic over a scan, thinking their roof was leaking everywhere, but it turned out to be just a drafty soffit and some missing insulation behind a knee wall. The tech is cool, but if the inspector doesn’t know the quirks of older construction, it’s easy to get spooked by stuff that’s not really a problem.
the scans can be more confusing than helpful.
That’s been my experience too. I had a scan done on my place (built in ’62, insulation all over the map) and the report made it look like I had leaks everywhere. Turned out most of it was just cold air sneaking in around the eaves and some old vents. I get why people freak out, but sometimes I wonder if these scans are worth the cost for older homes. Has anyone found a way to tell what’s actually a problem versus just “old house quirks” without tearing everything apart?
I totally get where you’re coming from. Those scan reports can make it seem like your house is falling apart, when really, it’s just showing every little draft or cold spot. I had a similar thing with my own place—mid-century, lots of weird insulation gaps, and the scan lit up like a Christmas tree. Turned out most of it was just old attic vents and some funky window frames.
What’s helped me is taking it step by step. First, I look for obvious stuff—like if there’s actual water stains or visible mold, that’s a real problem. But if it’s just a cold spot on a scan, I’ll check if there’s an old vent or a gap in the trim before worrying. Sometimes, just sealing up those little spots with weatherstripping or caulk makes a big difference.
Honestly, with older homes, you kind of have to expect some quirks. Not every “leak” on a scan is worth stressing over. It’s more about figuring out what’s normal for your house and what actually needs fixing. Don’t let the tech scare you off—use it as a guide, not gospel.
