Nondestructive residential inspection method and apparatus

• US 7,445,377 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Issued: 11/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Homesafe Inspection Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Homesafe Inspection Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, Peng, Seddon, Kevin J
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jagan; Mirellys
• Application Number:
  US10/708,571
• Publication Number:
  US 20040190586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 374/121, 374/4, 374/5, 374/45, 374/57, 374/124, 374/137
• US Class Current: 374/5
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/72 Investigating presence of flaws

Abstract

This invention provides an apparatus for nondestructive residential inspection and various methods for using a thermal imaging apparatus coupled to inspect exterior residential components, interior residential components, a pitched roof and basement of a residential building and the electrical system of a residential building.

Claims

1. A method to rapidly inspect residential building components for a designated entity comprising the steps of:

preparing a residential building for inspection by creating a temperature differential of greater than 10°

F. between, the inside and the outside of said residential building and turning on substantially all light switches and substantially all exhaust blowers in said residential building; and

then

obtaining temperature profiles of the exterior residential building components selected from the group consisting of wall, cafe and facia wherein said temperature profiles detect moisture;

obtaining temperature profiles of the interior surface of a pitched roof wherein said temperature profiles detect moisture;

obtaining temperature profiles of the interior residential building components;

obtaining temperature profiles of each electrical outlet in the residential building;

assessing each of said temperature profiles to detect a thermal anomaly indicative of a problem with said residential building components wherein said problem can include moisture; and

reporting said problem to said designated entity wherein said steps up to the step of assessing each of said profiles occur within 4 hours.

2. A method to detect a potential electrical problem in a residential building comprising the steps of:

preparing said residential building to detect a potential electrical problem by turning on substantially all light switches in said residential building; and

turning on substantially all exhaust blowers in said residential building; and

then

obtaining temperature profiles of substantially all electrical outlets in said residential building; and

assessing each of said temperature profiles for an anomaly indicative of an electrical problem, wherein said steps up to the step of assessing each of said profiles occurs with in 4 hours.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said electrical problem is an overload of an electrical circuit.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said electrical problem is contact surface over heat.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said electrical problem is hot electrical wire within a wall.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said temperature profiles are recorded on a digital recording device.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of substantially all electrical outlets.