These old houses have their own ideas about airflow, and sometimes I think I’m just along for the ride...
That’s exactly how it feels with mine—like the house is always one step ahead. When you found that crack above the chimney chase, did you check if there was any insulation missing around it? Sometimes it’s not just the boards but gaps in the insulation that let moisture and drafts sneak in. I’m curious if anyone’s tried using those thermal cameras to spot cold spots after winter—worth it, or just overkill?
I’m curious if anyone’s tried using those thermal cameras to spot cold spots after winter—worth it, or just overkill?
I’ve wondered about those thermal cameras too, but honestly, I can’t help thinking they’re a bit much for the average homeowner. I mean, unless you’re dealing with some major mystery drafts or you’ve got a really complicated roofline, it feels like a lot of money for something you might only use once. Last winter, I just did the old-fashioned “bare hand test”—walked around on a chilly morning and felt along the walls and ceiling for cold spots. Not exactly high-tech, but it did the trick for me. Found a draft behind an outlet plate in the upstairs hallway that way.
I get the appeal of gadgets, but sometimes I think we’re just looking for excuses to buy more tools. My neighbor actually borrowed one of those cameras from his brother-in-law (he’s in HVAC), and yeah, it showed him where his attic insulation was thin. But he said he could’ve figured most of it out by just poking around up there with a flashlight and paying attention to where the snow melted first on his roof.
About that crack above the chimney chase—mine had something similar last year. Turned out there was insulation missing, but also some old mortar had crumbled away, letting air sneak in from the attic. It was a pain to fix because I had to crawl into this awkward corner with a caulking gun and some leftover batt insulation. Not glamorous work, but it made a difference.
I guess my take is: unless you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket or you’re planning to do a bunch of energy upgrades, maybe start simple before going full CSI: Home Edition. Sometimes these old houses just want us to pay attention with our own senses first... then break out the fancy gear if we really need it.
- Gotta say, I actually tried one of those thermal cameras this spring. Rented it for a weekend—didn’t buy, because yeah, they’re pricey.
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“unless you’re dealing with some major mystery drafts or you’ve got a really complicated roofline, it feels like a lot of money for something you might only use once.”
- I get where you’re coming from, but for me, the camera picked up a couple spots I never would’ve thought to check. Like, there was a cold patch behind my kitchen cabinets that I couldn’t feel with my hand at all. Turned out there was a gap in the insulation from when the previous owners remodeled.
- The “bare hand test” is good for obvious stuff, but I missed a few sneaky leaks that way.
- Renting made it feel less like overkill—cost me about $30 for the day.
- I’m not saying everyone needs to run out and get one, but if you’re like me (first place, old house, no clue what’s lurking in the walls), it might be worth a shot at least once.
- Plus, it was kinda fun seeing my house in rainbow colors... even if it did just confirm how drafty it is.
Thermal cameras are actually pretty handy for tracking down those hidden cold spots, especially in older homes where you never really know what the last owners did behind the walls. I’ve used them on a few jobs—mainly when folks have weird leaks or ice dam issues and we can’t spot the source just by looking around in the attic. Sometimes you’ll see a streak of cold running right along a rafter bay, and sure enough, there’s missing insulation or a gap somewhere.
I get the hesitation about buying one, though. They’re not cheap, and unless you’re doing this kind of thing all the time, renting makes way more sense. $30 is a steal compared to what it costs to chase leaks blindly or start tearing out drywall without a clue. Plus, like you said, it’s kind of fun seeing your house all lit up in neon colors—makes you feel like you’re on some home improvement TV show.
Bare hand test is fine for obvious drafts, but it’s amazing how much can slip by if you’re just relying on touch. I’ve seen spots where the drywall feels normal but the camera shows a big cold patch—usually means air’s sneaking in behind cabinets or through electrical outlets. That stuff adds up over winter, especially if your roofline is complicated or you’ve got dormers and valleys where snow sits.
One thing I’d add: thermal cameras are great for finding cold spots, but they don’t always tell you *why* there’s a problem. Sometimes it’s insulation, sometimes it’s a roof leak that’s letting moisture in and cooling things down. If you spot something weird, it’s worth poking around a bit more before assuming it’s just missing insulation.
Anyway, after every winter I always tell people to at least walk around their attic (if they can do it safely) and check for wet spots or daylight peeking through. Even if you don’t have a camera, just looking for water stains or damp insulation can save you from bigger headaches later. And if your shingles are getting up there in age—like 15-20 years—it doesn’t hurt to budget for some repairs or even a replacement down the line. Roofs don’t last forever, no matter what the brochures say...
Yeah, those thermal cameras are like x-ray vision for houses—except instead of finding supervillains, you just find cold air and regret. I’ve had folks swear their attic was fine until we scanned it and found a whole “cold river” running behind the drywall. Makes you wonder what else is hiding up there, right?
One thing I always ask: have you checked your vent boots or flashing lately? Those things love to crack after a few freeze-thaw cycles, and suddenly you’ve got water sneaking in. I’ve seen more leaks start there than anywhere else, especially after a rough winter. And honestly, sometimes it’s just squirrels causing chaos... but that’s a whole other headache.
