Hi is there any way you can detect moisture in plaster ?
I would like to get this done before handover just for piece of mind
As plaster was up before bricks were cleaned

Thanks

Fresh leaks and dampness can be detected with thermal imaging
Dampness in plaster can be detected with a moisture meter

You will need independent inspector with the right equipment

Best idea is get an independent building inspector to check, a camera costs upward from $300 to buy, and hire is not much better!

Plus half the battle is interpreting the image, which needs skill and experience!

With an inspection being not much more and they will check far more, it's a good idea!

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We have two thermal imaging cameras, they are upward of $20,000 each, but we invested to give our customers extra layer of protection when we inspect their property.

Stormjr is right, its not just about the camera (and there are some cheap ones around now) but also about training.
In my case it was Thermal Imaging for Pest Managers at Melbourne University (a full three day course). There you learn about what the equipment can do, it's limitations and interpretation of findings, and the biology of termites relevant to thermal imaging.

However in relation to dampness in plaster, just last Friday I inspected a home in Ivanhoe where among other issues owner had very mouldy smell in one of the bedrooms. Yes there were issues with sub floor ventilation but I also found damp ceilings, indicating roof leaks. When I showed owner the images of damp ceiling he was blown away, he had no idea. I am about to blog this one so you can see the images on the blog.

By the way TI will also pick up ceiling insulation defects.

Thanks for the info guys

Apologies OP for the slight thread derail but I believe you've received the answer you need, and I'm extremely curious about BE's camera choice.

BE - can I ask what led you to purchase the Bullard T3Max as a building inspection camera? As far as I'm aware, that system is specifically designed for fire imaging and therefore has a pretty basic feature set. I'm just puzzling over why you decided to purchase that system at c. $20k when there are specific building inspection cameras with better specs (eg FLIR E60bx and T420bx) available at a lower pricepoint.

Sorry but I don't really understand your worry about there being moisture in the plaster just because the bricks were cleaned after it was hung. Don't most houses usually have their bricks cleaned after painting etc, therefore after plaster has been hung inside? If moisture can get in from the brick clean then can't it get in everytime it rains?

Hi Integrity

Purchase was made around 2006/2007 and I decided to get one after one of the other timer pest inspectors kindly provided demo and because "near new demo" unit came up for sale.

At the time there weren't many guys using them. When I did course, thermal imaging for pest managers, there was only one other guy from Victoria the rest, about a dozen from interstate.

Yes there was a colour "Flir" demo at the course but it was valued at $ 100,000

I had been using it for about 2 years and then we got T4 for another team member (another near new "demo").

Yes since then product range has improved and prices dropped. (wish I had a crystal ball)
Having said that I have been happy with it and it "just works" and does the job for us.
Having spent the money we will stick with it until it's knackered.

Ah fair enough then. Sorry but I read your post as implying current value upwards of $20k, and as they're still available for purchase I thought it may have been a relatively recent acquisition. Makes much more sense now!

My thoughts exactly, if you were going to get an independent inspection done mention your concerns to them.

If you weren't then don't waste your money on a chance the plaster may have been wet during the brick clean.

a. How would it have gotten wet?

b. Even if it did, pressure cleaners don't use much water so i'd guess there would be nothing there even a moisture meter would detect.

mgilla