I keep hearing about IR cameras, but I’ve never actually used one—are they really that accurate for finding every cold spot? I’m just starting to look at insulating my own place (built in the 60s), and I’m a little worried about missing hidden gaps behind weird framing or old repairs. Is there ever a point where you just have to open up a wall to be sure, or does the tech catch pretty much everything?
IR cameras are actually pretty handy, but they're not magic. They’ll show you cold spots and heat loss, especially if you use them when there’s a big temp difference between inside and outside. But, yeah, sometimes weird framing or repairs can hide stuff that doesn’t show up clearly on the camera. I’ve had a couple of times where the IR showed everything looked fine, but when I opened up a wall (usually because of something else), I found a pocket with zero insulation.
If your house is from the 60s, odds are there’s some funky stuff behind the drywall—old repairs, random voids, maybe even some critter nests. The camera will catch most of it, but it’s not foolproof. Still, it’s way better than guessing blindly. I’d say start with the camera and only open things up if you see something really suspicious or if you’re already doing other work in that area. No need to tear everything apart just to double-check every inch.
That’s pretty much spot on. IR cameras are a great tool, but they’re only as good as the person using them and the conditions you’re working with. I’ve run into the same thing—sometimes the insulation looks fine on camera, but there’s a weird void or old newspaper stuffed in behind the wall. If you’re insulating an older house, expect surprises. I always recommend using the camera first, then only opening up what you really need to. Saves a lot of time and headaches.
If you’re insulating an older house, expect surprises.
Yeah, that’s the truth. I thought my 1920s place would be a quick job, but every wall was a different story—found an old shoe in one, no joke. IR camera definitely helped me avoid tearing out more than I had to. It still took me way longer than I planned, though. Just gotta roll with it sometimes.
found an old shoe in one, no joke
That’s wild—I once pulled out a stack of 1950s newspapers from behind a kitchen wall. Guess it’s insulation of a sort? I totally get the “every wall is a different story” thing. Sometimes I wonder if these old houses are just testing our patience. IR cameras are a game changer, though. Still, even with all the tech, you can’t really plan for what’s hiding in there...
