Those infrared reports can definitely make things look scarier than they are. I had one flag a “hot spot” in my attic last year, and it turned out to be a pile of old moving blankets soaking up the sun through a vent. I get why inspectors use all the gadgets, but sometimes you just need to poke around yourself. If you’re not seeing stains or feeling dampness, it’s probably nothing urgent. Still, I always keep an eye on those spots for a while, just in case something changes down the line.
Had the same thing happen with my garage a couple years back. Inspector’s fancy camera picked up a “hot zone” and I was bracing for a leak or critters. Turned out to be a stack of old paint cans that had soaked up some sun through a window. These reports are helpful, but you’re right—sometimes you just gotta trust your own eyes and nose. Still, better safe than sorry, I guess.
Those thermal cameras can be wild—sometimes they spot the weirdest stuff. I had a “hot spot” once that turned out to be a sunbeam hitting a pile of old tarps. You’re right, nothing beats just poking around yourself and using your senses. Still, those reports do catch things we’d never notice, especially with older roofs or if you’re thinking about upgrades like cool roofing or solar. A little peace of mind goes a long way, even if it means sorting through some false alarms.
I get the appeal of those fancy reports, but I can’t help wondering—how much of it is actually actionable? Like, if a thermal scan flags a “hot spot,” how do you know it’s something serious and not just, like you said, sunlight or a squirrel nest or who knows what? I’ve got an older asphalt shingle roof (pushing 18 years now) and every time I look into inspections, I get a little nervous they’ll find a dozen “issues” that turn out to be nothing.
Has anyone here actually found a legit problem thanks to the thermal stuff—like a leak or rot you wouldn’t have seen otherwise? Or is it mostly just peace of mind for folks who want to be extra sure? I’m all for catching stuff early, but I don’t love the idea of chasing down every blip on a report, especially if it means shelling out for fixes that aren’t really needed.
Had a client last year with a roof about your roof’s age—old asphalt, a few patches, nothing wild. The thermal cam flagged a “hot spot” near the chimney. Honestly, I half expected it to just be some leftover heat from the sun, but after poking around in the attic, turned out there was a slow leak rotting the sheathing. Would’ve missed it with just eyeballs. That said, I’ve also seen reports light up like Christmas for stuff like raccoon nests or just warm ductwork. Sometimes you’re chasing ghosts, sometimes you catch something real... It’s definitely not always clear cut.
