16/10/2026
ProBuilder - Brisbane's Water Ingress Specialist.
Thermal Camera's Detection and Water
Our thermal camera doesn't directly "see" water itself. It excels at detecting temperature differences across surfaces. Water, especially in a leak scenario, tends to be cooler than its surrounding dry areas. This temperature contrast is what the camera captures.
Temperature and Colour Representation
A wet area in a home is typically about 4 degrees cooler than the dry surroundings. By adjusting your thermal camera's settings, you've amplified these temperature differences, translating them into vivid color variations on the thermal image. In your case, dark blue signifies the coolest spots, pinpointing areas of water ingress.
Project Findings: Retaining Wall and Water Ingress
The thermal scan clearly revealed a waterproofing membrane failure behind the retaining wall. Water was seeping into the house.
Removing Plasterboard: By removing the plasterboard, you gained access to the wall's hidden structure.
Staining and Framing: The timber frame at the wall's base showed staining, a telltale sign of water damage. This indicated that the framing had punctured the waterproofing membrane.
Retaining Wall Issue: The improperly constructed retaining wall allowed water to leak through, further exacerbating the problem.
Thermal Scan Confirmation: After a period of significant rain, a follow-up scan vividly confirmed the water entry points at the base of each framing section. The thermal image even captured the water's movement upward along the timber.
It's just one of our tools to establish what is going on! If you are concerned about water ingress, don't hesitate- make an inquiry through www.probuilder.com.au