Buying a house is a big decision, and moisture problems are one of the main worries. Many inspectors offer thermal imaging as an add-on. Is it worth it? Here’s an honest look — and a clear note on what we do and don’t offer.
Important: Dry Me Now is not a pre-purchase building inspector. Our free thermal and moisture check comes with drying equipment hire and is for drying purposes only. For a house you’re buying, use an independent, qualified building inspector.
Is thermal imaging worth adding to a pre-purchase inspection?
It can be. Thermal imaging lets an inspector scan large areas quickly for temperature patterns that may indicate damp, missing insulation or draughts. It’s most useful when conditions are suitable and findings are confirmed with a moisture meter. It doesn’t see inside walls or replace invasive testing where weathertightness is a concern.
What thermal imaging can add
- A quick screen of walls and ceilings for possible damp
- Suspected missing or displaced insulation
- Draughts around joinery
- Images to show you what the inspector saw
What it can’t do
- Prove moisture without a meter reading
- See inside sealed cavities
- Give reliable results in poor conditions (e.g. direct sun, little temperature difference)
- Replace invasive testing for suspected leaky buildings
See what thermal imaging can and can’t detect.
Questions to ask an inspector
| Ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is thermal imaging included or an add-on? | Know what you’re paying for |
| What are the conditions on the day? | Thermal works best with a good inside/outside temperature difference and no direct sun |
| Do you confirm with a moisture meter? | Thermal alone indicates, it doesn’t prove |
| Will the report include annotated images? | So you can see the findings |
| When would you recommend invasive testing? | For higher-risk buildings |
| What qualifications do you hold? | Thermography training varies |
When to be extra careful
- Monolithic cladding or homes built in periods associated with weathertightness problems
- Signs of past repairs, fresh paint over stains, or musty smells
- Decks or balconies over living spaces
In these cases ask about invasive testing by a building surveyor.
Where we fit (after you move in)
If you buy a home and later have a leak or flood, that’s where we come in. When you hire our Drying Combo, our technician delivers the equipment and, where suitable, does a free on-site thermal imaging and moisture check. See thermal imaging after water damage.
| Drying Combo | What you get |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Commercial 90 L dehumidifier + two drying fans |
| Testing | Free on-site thermal image assessment and moisture test, included where suitable |
| Delivery | Our technician delivers the equipment and does the testing on site; Auckland delivery and pick-up, subject to booking timing and site access |
| Price | $75 + GST per day (3-day minimum) or $400 + GST for 7 days |
See the full offer: free thermal imaging and moisture testing with the Drying Combo.
What thermal imaging and moisture testing can’t do
We’d rather be upfront:
- Thermal imaging indicates, it doesn’t prove. The camera reads surface temperature. A cool patch can be damp, but it can also be a draught, missing insulation, a cold-water pipe or shade from the morning sun. Our technician checks suspicious areas with a moisture meter on site before treating them as wet.
- Meters read accessible spots. A moisture meter gives a reading where it touches. It can’t see right through a sealed cavity, and we don’t cut open walls.
- It isn’t a plumbing repair. We can help show where water has spread. Finding and fixing a failed pipe, shower tray or fitting is a job for a licensed plumber.
- We’re drying specialists, not plumbers or inspectors. We aren’t a licensed plumber, a pre-purchase building inspector or an acoustic/tracer-gas leak detection specialist, and we’ll tell you when you need one.
- It isn’t a building report. This check supports your drying setup. It isn’t a pre-purchase inspection, a weathertightness report or a code compliance document. For roof, cladding or structural concerns, talk to a qualified building surveyor or inspector.
Frequently asked questions
Is thermal imaging included in a pre-purchase inspection?
It varies. Some inspectors include it, others offer it as an add-on. Ask what is included before booking.
Can thermal imaging detect a leaky home?
It can flag possible damp areas, but it cannot see inside cavities or prove moisture. Suspected weathertightness problems may need invasive testing by a qualified building surveyor.
Does Dry Me Now do pre-purchase inspections?
No. Our free thermal and moisture check is included with Drying Combo hire where suitable, for drying after a leak or flood. Use an independent building inspector for a purchase.
When is the best time for a thermal scan?
When there is a good temperature difference between inside and outside and no recent direct sun on the surfaces, often early morning or evening.
Should thermal findings be confirmed?
Yes. A moisture meter or other check should confirm anything that looks like damp.
Book the Drying Combo with a free moisture check
If you’ve had a leak, overflow or flood in Auckland, call Dry Me Now on 021 877 504 or use the enquiry form on our thermal imaging and moisture testing page. Tell us what happened and which rooms are affected, and we’ll confirm availability and delivery. Our technician delivers the machines and does the testing on site.