Infrared and thermal imaging are the same thing: a camera that reads surface temperature. Anyone offering one is offering the other.
This page covers what an infrared survey can and cannot show. The method in full is on thermal imaging leak detection, and the wider range at Leak Detection Pretoria.
Say whether the damp feels warm. It decides whether infrared is the right tool.
Get an Infrared Survey QuoteWhat Infrared Actually Detects
Temperature difference at a surface, not water and not pipes. A hot water line leaking in a slab warms the floor above it in a traceable line, which is why infrared is strongest on geyser and hot water faults. A cold leak shows only as slight evaporative cooling, and often not at all.
Where It Earns Its Fee
- Tracing hot water runs through tiles, screed and ceilings without lifting anything.
- Mapping how far damp has actually spread behind a wall, which is normally wider than the stain.
- Finding wet or missing insulation in a roof space.
- Producing the annotated images insurers and assessors ask for.
Conditions That Ruin a Survey
A wall that has taken afternoon sun holds heat for hours and masks the very difference being looked for. Underfloor heating running during the survey does the same. Book early morning where possible, and expect findings to be confirmed with a moisture meter or a pressure test before anything is opened.
Infrared Survey Prices in Pretoria
| Job | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted infrared scan | R1,200 – R2,800 | One room or one suspected run. |
| Whole-house infrared survey | R2,200 – R4,800 | All wet areas plus the roof space. |
| Infrared plus moisture mapping | R1,800 – R3,800 | Camera findings confirmed with a meter. |
| Combined infrared and acoustic visit | R2,400 – R4,500 | Hot and cold lines both suspect. |
| Report with annotated images | R650 – R1,800 | Usually required by insurers. |
| 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.
Infrared finds the pattern; it does not confirm the cause. Treat a survey without a follow-up moisture reading or pressure test as half a diagnosis.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Is infrared leak detection the same as thermal imaging?
Yes. The terms are used interchangeably for the same equipment and method. If a company offers one, they offer the other.
Can an infrared camera see through a wall?
No. It reads the surface temperature of the wall. What is behind it shows up only where it changes that surface temperature, which is why hot water leaks are the strong case and cold ones often are not.
Will it find a cold water leak?
Sometimes, through the slight cooling as moisture evaporates, but it is unreliable. Cold lines are usually traced acoustically or with a pressure test instead.
Request a Infrared Leak Detection Quote
Describe the job and get quotes back from companies in your area.
Free to use, no obligation. Your request goes to LEADERR APPROVED leak detection companies covering your area, who quote you directly.
Client Reviews
Powered by leaderr
