Thermal imaging can be misleading sometimes, true—but I'd argue it's usually operator error or misunderstanding the limitations rather than the tech itself. I've found plenty of leaks quickly using infrared, but it definitely won't pinpoint every problem spot. It's more of a guide than a guarantee. Still, nothing wrong with spending some quality attic time during a storm...been there myself more times than I'd like to admit.
"Still, nothing wrong with spending some quality attic time during a storm...been there myself more times than I'd like to admit."
Haha, glad I'm not alone in the attic club. Last big storm had me up there at 2 AM with a flashlight and bucket—thermal imaging didn't help much that night. Turned out to be a sneaky leak behind some insulation. Tech's handy, but sometimes old-school detective work (and getting soaked) is the only way...
"Tech's handy, but sometimes old-school detective work (and getting soaked) is the only way..."
Haha, ain't that the truth. Speaking of sneaky leaks, ever had one that seemed to vanish completely when the storm stopped? Last spring I chased one for weeks—rain buckets outside, bone-dry attic inside. Drove me nuts. Turned out wind direction was pushing water through a tiny gap under the shingles. Anyone else dealt with phantom leaks like that?
"Turned out wind direction was pushing water through a tiny gap under the shingles."
Yep, wind-driven rain can be a sneaky one. Had a similar head-scratcher last year. Homeowner swore the leak only happened during heavy storms, but every time I climbed up there afterward, things looked bone-dry. Finally decided to recreate the conditions myself—grabbed a hose, sprayed water at different angles, and sure enough, found a tiny opening around the flashing near the chimney. It was only letting water in when the wind blew just right.
If you're ever stuck chasing phantom leaks again, try simulating the storm conditions yourself (carefully, of course). Start low and work your way up slowly, giving each area a solid soaking for several minutes. Eventually, you'll spot the culprit. Just make sure someone else is inside watching for drips...otherwise you'll be climbing up and down all day. Been there, done that, not fun.
Had a similar mystery leak last spring—spent days convinced it was the skylight. Turns out, wind was blowing rain sideways into a tiny gap near the vent pipe. Roof leaks have a twisted sense of humor sometimes...
