Diary of a dissatisfied customer
 
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Thermography results - Page One of Two
 
 
I have reorganised the thermography section since it was first created. I assumed at the outset that thermographic images would play a pivotal role in surveying what is now proven to be an astonishingly incompetent cavity wall insulation job.

The section now begins with the Endoscope Random Images. The endoscope survey was not originally planned. The idea developed through necessity and subsequently proved to be hugely successful in not only identifying voids but providing indisputable proof as well. You cannot argue with those images and movie clips. In my work historically, we learn to employ such novel thinking when exploring options.

The thermographic survey does provide additional valuable information on the incompetence of the work carried out. It highlights other areas where ordinarily an intrusive survey would be best employed.  Areas where the endoscope could not reach or would result in internal damage. That said it is already self-evident that the work will have to be redone, therefore it is pointless adding the expense of an external intrusive boroscope survey based on the thermographic images.

The thermographic survey was carried out by a Level One Thermographer using a FliR B50 camera. The work was carried out 21.02.2013. All the specified prior-to-survey conditions were fully complied with. I was supplied with images and using relevant downloaded FLiR software I have produced all that you will see in these two pages. The software determines the correct temperature data indicated in the text boxes next to the 'spots' indicated,  as well as the right hand side temperature bar. Outdoor temperature on the day 3 degrees and for those interested, the emissivity setting 0.92. All views reported from outside.

 
Thermal Imaging by Thermaview (North West) - http://thermaview.info
 
 
 
This technique employed by the thermographer is what they refer to as Picture in Picture which is especially useful to lay people to help put the thermographic image in context against the digital image (top left window front elevation).

Sp1 (dead centre) is where the camera was aimed. Sp4 shows an insulated area of wall. Sp3 and Sp7 shows the variation in what is obviously an uninsulated or poorly insulated area of wall. That was confirmed by the endoscope survey which was carried out first. Had the thermography been carried out first the endoscope survey would have been optimised accordingly, hence the clear value of thermography.

Sp2 shows the benefits of modern K glass if proof were needed. For interest Sp5 shows the heat loss on the uPVC frame which is a B rated frame. Sp6 shows the heat loss around the rubber seals which will be seen on all such images as a faint red line.

Anyone contemplating thermography will see it is hugely effective and of course non-intrusive. The only discomfort is running your heating constantly for 24 hours beforehand.

Not everyone will be in a position to drill through window boards. For me it was convenient as redecoration is imminent. I will have to wait now until the cavity wall insulation work is redone. The work will have to be redone to comply with the Building Regulations and British Board of Agrément certification, which it obviously does not at the moment.

 
 
To ensure the privacy of my semi-detached neighbour I have blacked-out that part of the image. The RWP mentioned next to the blacked-out area (on the rear elevation top left) is a rainwater pipe which shows up yellow between the two houses.

Also useful as a control image is the chimney at the top. That serves a Class One flue (traditional flue) used by an open log fire that had been unused for 36 hours.

The weakness of cavity wall insulation is self-evident and the few places where it does improve have been noted as with Sp2 (blue) and the neighbouring yellowed bit.

The red of course a serious heat loss (Sp4) but worse is the whiter areas such as Sp5.

Do not compare the two images or the colours shown in the two images. Colours within the same image are related. Note the difference in the temperature bar.

These are just samples of images that will be shown. Not all are being published.

 
  Bottom left rear elevation.

To assist the reader, certain features are pointed out as follows. Sp2 is an external floodlight (manual operation). Sp3 line is a plastic conduit. Sp5 is the terminal of a summer-time-only passive air vent which is currently stuffed solid with non-itch mineral wool. The latter works in tandem in summer with the permanent vent-for-combustion-air at the front elevation.

Sp6 is the line of the three course deep combined steel lintol that was insulated when it was recently introduced to reduce the thermal bridging effect. These 1965 built houses have a concrete boot lintol on the internal leaf which does not insulate as well as the concrete blockwork of the inner-leaf walls. There was no lintol on the external leaf of brickwork and that is what was introduced.

Again do not compares colours on different images but the obvious contrast within this image is well marked. Something is clearly wrong. You can see where insulation is good (Sp4) and where it is poor or non-existent.

For interest note the red line around the edge of the glass

 

 
 
Gable wall and centered on the electricity meter cupboard. As depicted on the right. That represents a hole in the inner leaf which is covered by a door.

And as proven by the endoscope survey there is virtually nil insulation for some reason below the meter cupboard, all the way down to the bottom. The thermographic image supports that as you can see.

This again confirms the remarkable effectiveness of thermal imaging in qualified hands. It is certainly worth doing if you have reason to believe there is a deficiency.

Ordinarily a boroscope survey would follow but in this case the prior endoscope survey has more than fulfilled that need. The thermographic images help confirm the extent of the problem.

 
 
 
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