Thermal imaging's great, but yeah, nothing replaces getting eyes on it yourself. Couple things I've learned:
- Check around chimney flashing—critters love sneaking in there.
- If insulation looks oddly flattened, suspect raccoons or squirrels.
- And bats...tiny gaps near vents are their specialty.
Thermal imaging's handy, but honestly, I'd trust it over my own eyes sometimes—especially with insulation issues. Flattened insulation isn't always critters; seen moisture buildup do the same thing. Worth double-checking before blaming squirrels...they get enough heat already, lol.
Good point about moisture buildup—it's often overlooked. I've seen thermal imaging misinterpreted a few times myself, especially when it comes to insulation. Once had a client convinced squirrels were nesting under their roof because of flattened insulation patches, but after a closer look, turned out to be condensation issues from poor ventilation. Thermal imaging is fantastic for pinpointing problem areas, but interpreting the results correctly takes some experience and caution. Glad you're advocating for double-checking before jumping to conclusions; squirrels definitely catch enough blame as it is, haha.
- Thermal imaging's great, but yeah... not foolproof.
- Had a similar issue myself—thought I had critters in the attic because insulation looked weird on the scans. Turned out it was just uneven installation from when the previous owner DIY'd it. Classic.
- Agree about moisture buildup too; ventilation gets overlooked way too often. People rush to blame wildlife or bad materials when sometimes it's just poor airflow.
- Always good to get a second opinion or at least double-check visually before acting on thermal images alone. Saves you from chasing imaginary squirrels around your attic, lol.
- Good points all around, but thermal imaging can still be a lifesaver if you know its limits.
- Curious though... did your inspector also check attic ventilation visually or just rely on thermal scans?
- I've seen cases where blocked soffit vents caused weird insulation patterns—looked like moisture or critters at first glance.
- Always worth poking your head up there yourself to confirm before spending money on fixes you might not need.
