Plumbing and Moisture

240 × 180 pixels.Recommended minimum for moisture work

We recommend at least 240 × 180 pixels for finding leaks and moisture. The E6 Pro meets it. The FLIR ONE Edge Pro and MR277 are 160 × 120, below that minimum.

Water leaks and moisture can do serious damage to a building, and they’re hard to find until it’s too late. A thermal camera finds them without cutting into walls.

Moisture comes from many places: humidity, condensation, pipe leaks, rain and even people breathing. A low level is normal, but leaks and heavy condensation cause real problems. A thermal camera can’t see moisture in a wall, but it shows the small temperature differences and patterns that water leaves.

Roof leaks Shower streaking Tile glue Plumbing

Ceiling moisture, measured as a cold spot.

Roof leaks

Water from a roof leak cools the ceiling and walls it soaks into, so it shows up on a thermal image as a cooler patch. A pattern that looks like moisture isn’t proof, so always confirm with a moisture meter that the area is wet and not just cold.

Weather, indoor temperature and humidity all affect the small temperature differences you’re looking for, so a camera with good sensitivity makes moisture work easier.

Cameras and meters for moisture work

FLIR E6 ProHigh-volume plumbing and moisture work. The MR60 fits in its case.240 × 180 · 50 mK · 33° lens · up to 550°C ex. GSTView

FLIR MR277All in one: thermal imager, moisture meter and humidity sensor.160 × 120 thermal · pin and pinless · humidity sensorImager is below the 240 × 180 moisture minimum$2,675.00 ex. GSTView

FLIR ONE Edge ProOccasional residential checks. Connects wirelessly to your phone or tablet.160 × 120 · iOS and Android · up to 400°CBelow the 240 × 180 moisture minimum ex. GSTView

FLIR MR60Confirms that what the camera finds is actually wet. Fits in the E6 Pro case.Pin and pinless moisture meter$795.00 ex. GSTView

Protective caseFits the MR60, MR160, MR77, MR265 and MR277.For FLIR MR series meters$119.00 ex. GSTView

Shower streaking

A leaking shower shows up as cool streaks running out from the base or down the wall, often before there’s any visible damage. A thermal image shows where the water is going, so the repair targets the right spot.

Confirm the wet area with a moisture meter before you quote the repair.

A FLIR E6 Pro showing spot-glued tiles on a wall.

Tile glue

Tiles stuck on with dabs of adhesive instead of a full bed leave hollow gaps behind them, which can lead to cracked or loose tiles. A thermal camera shows the glue pattern through the tile face, so you can check coverage without lifting a tile.

The photo is a FLIR E6 Pro on a tiled wall. The pattern of glue dabs behind each tile shows straight through.

A cold spot shows the source of a toilet leak.

Plumbing

Plumbers use thermal imaging to find leaks and trace pipes without opening walls or floors. It isn’t an X-ray, but a sensitive camera picks up the small temperature differences that show through to the surface.

Find the source of a toilet leak and trace hot and cold water lines before a repair.

Reporting software

FLIR Thermal Studio Standard, 12 monthsBuild your own reports, edit images and add measurements.Windows desktop software$350.00 ex. GSTView

Free training with every camera

Bret Jones, Certified Thermographer, has over 30 years’ experience in camera selection, training and moisture and plumbing inspection. Not sure which camera fits your work? Talk to Bret first.

Request a quote Call 0439 773 888