Finding Slab Leaks With Infrared
Revealing Hidden Defects
A recent inspection was taking its normal course. Appliances, Electrical, plumbing, HVAC etc. were all checking out OK. Our client was very happy, as they had done their homework and researched houses built in the 1970’s. They had downloaded our “What to Expect When Buying a House Built in the 1970’s” white paper, and were ready for the common defects we usually find. Most houses built through the 1950’s were built on a raised foundation. This made it easy to access the house from underneath and service any wiring or plumbing. When it became common to build a house on slabs, the plumbing was often buried just under the concrete. No effort was made to isolate, or protect the copper plumbing from the corrosive effect of concrete. Ten or twenty years later, leaks developed in the pipes causing water to soak the slab. These are commonly know as “slab leaks” which are actually pipes leaking in a slab. During every inspection we use our thermal imaging cameras after running all of the plumbing fixtures and testing the heating system. We use the cameras to check walls and ceilings, and