An infrared camera reads surface temperature. A hot water leak inside a slab or wall warms everything around it, and that pattern shows up clearly on screen.
It is the fastest way to trace a hot line and to map how far damp has spread. Full scope under Leak Detection Durban.
Say whether the damp is warm to the touch. It changes the method.
Get a Thermal Survey QuoteWhat Thermal Imaging Does Well
- Traces hot water and geyser lines through tiles, screed and ceilings.
- Maps the true extent of damp behind a wall, which is usually wider than the visible stain.
- Finds missing or wet insulation in a roof space.
- Shows where water is tracking under a floor before anything is lifted.
Its Limits
A camera shows a temperature difference, not a pipe. A cold water leak in cold weather can be almost invisible, and a sunlit wall gives false readings for hours afterwards. Findings are confirmed with a moisture meter or a pressure test before anyone opens a floor.
Thermal Imaging Prices in Durban
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted thermal scan | R1,200 – R2,800 | One room or one suspected run. |
| Whole-house thermal survey | R2,200 – R4,800 | All wet areas plus the roof space. |
| Thermal plus moisture mapping | R1,800 – R3,800 | Camera findings confirmed with a meter. |
| Written report with images | R650 – R1,800 | Usually required by insurers. |
| Combined thermal and acoustic visit | R2,400 – R4,500 | Where hot and cold lines are both suspect. |
| Commercial or sectional title survey | From R4,750 | Priced per block or per unit. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African leak detection and plumbing pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Book thermal work early morning where possible. Walls that have taken afternoon sun hold heat for hours and mask the very difference the camera is looking for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can thermal imaging find a cold water leak?
Sometimes. Evaporation cools a wet surface slightly, which can show as a cool patch. It is far less reliable than on hot lines, so cold leaks are usually traced acoustically instead.
Does it see through walls?
No. It reads the surface temperature of the wall. What is happening inside shows only where it changes that surface temperature, which is why hot water leaks are the strong case.
Will I get images with the report?
Standard practice is annotated thermal and normal photographs of each finding. That documentation is usually what an insurer or the municipality wants to see.
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