New declassified technology from the defense industry can help save home buyers from shoddy construction by using infrared thermography to locate structural flaws, moisture intrusion and even energy loss, according to a Local 6 News investigation.
The report featured Marita Valentine, who paid more than $360,000 for her home and then added $100,000 of her own touches.
Within two weeks of paying the money, she noticed a problem -- leaks in the house.
"Water started pouring in from the light above the fireplace upstairs," Valentine said. "I was filling in bins, large bins, storage bins full of water. Then, I had a problem in the garage which is really serious. I had water coming in under the block and then on the roofline."
How much did you spend out of pocket to prove to the builder that you had a problem?" Local 6 reporter Steven Cooper asked.
"Including the civil engineer and general contractor who had to come over and over again -- nearly $10,000 that I did not plan to spend on this house," Valentine said.
Valentine told Local 6 News that when she hired Infra-Detect Thermography, the builder began to listen.
Infra-Detect Thermography, Inc., a Florida corporation headquartered in Central Florida, offers residents a non-invasive high-tech infrared thermography surveys by ITC Certified thermographers.
The company uses technology from the defense industry and was declassified in 1992.
Julie Chittum used the technology to measure temperature differences that were not visible to the naked eye.
The
company's Web site says Infrared cameras allow them to "see" hot spots, cold spots, moisture intrusion, missing insulation, energy loss, structural flaws and more.
"We can actually document the moisture intrusion in your home," Chittum said. "Wet building materials and dry building materials will hold a different temperature signature."
Chittum used the temperature differences to locate the source and path of the water intrusion.
For example, the builder told Valentine that the water in her garage was coming in through cracks in the block. But infra-detect showed the water was actually coming from up above and from below.
The infra-detect technology also discovered the source of her ceiling leak, too.
"There was a stucco band missing in the chimney," Valentine said. "It was coming in, coming through the attic."
"Faced with the documentation provided by the Infra-Detect Thermography company, the builder, after a year and a half, ultimately fixed the problems, Cooper said.
Fees begin at $150 an hour and higher, depending on the kind of report you want generated, Cooper said.
Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.
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