A thermal imaging camera shows temperature differences the eye cannot see. For restorers and building inspectors that means finding wet plaster behind a dry-looking wall, tracing a leak under a slab, or proving to an insurer where the water went. Thorair stocks FLIR cameras and moisture meters alongside our own thermal camera range, with Australian stock and support.
Thermal cameras and moisture meters we stock
- FLIR C5 Compact Thermal Camera. Pocket-sized, 160 Ă— 120 thermal resolution with MSX image enhancement, WiFi and cloud upload. The everyday camera for restorers and inspectors.
- FLIR ONE Pro. Clips onto your phone and turns it into a thermal camera. Ideal as a first camera or a backup in every van.
- FLIR MR277 Moisture Meter with Thermal Imaging. Thermal imaging, pinless and pin moisture measurement and hygrometer in one tool. Use the thermal image to find the suspect area, then confirm with a moisture reading.
- Protimeter SurveyMaster BLD5375. The industry-standard dual-function moisture meter for documenting drying progress.
- Thorair thermal cameras. Budget-friendly handheld units including the 3.5 inch LCD L2564A, 2.8 inch LCD L256B, rotating lens L200 and high/low temperature tracking L2651.
Browse the full thermal imaging collection.
How thermal imaging finds hidden moisture
Every surface emits infrared radiation in proportion to its temperature. Wet materials are cooler than dry ones because evaporating water draws heat out of them, so a damp patch behind paint shows as a cool area in the thermal image. The camera does not see water directly, which is why a thermal image should always be confirmed with a moisture meter before you open a wall or write a report. Used together, the pair lets you map the extent of a water loss in minutes rather than drilling test holes.
Uses on a restoration or building job
- Water damage mapping. Find the boundary of wet carpet, plaster and framing, and photograph it for the insurer.
- Leak detection. Trace shower, roof and pipe leaks to their source before demolition.
- Drying verification. Compare images across days to show the wet area shrinking.
- Mould investigations. Cold, damp corners and thermal bridges are where condensation and mould start.
- Electrical inspections. Overloaded circuits and loose connections run hot and show up before they fail.
- Building envelope checks. Missing insulation and air leaks are obvious on a cool morning.
Choosing a camera
Resolution is the number of thermal pixels. 160 Ă— 120 is enough for room-scale moisture work; higher resolution helps for electrical and roof inspections at a distance. Thermal sensitivity (NETD) determines how small a temperature difference the camera can show; under 70 mK is good for moisture. Image blending such as FLIR's MSX overlays visible edges on the thermal image so you can tell which wall you are looking at. Reporting features, such as WiFi upload and radiometric JPEGs, save time when every job needs photos for a claim.
Frequently asked questions
Can a thermal camera see water inside a wall?
It shows the temperature difference caused by evaporating water, which usually reveals the wet area. It cannot measure moisture content, so confirm with a moisture meter before reporting.
Do I need a thermal camera or a moisture meter?
Both. The camera finds the area quickly; the meter confirms and quantifies it. The FLIR MR277 combines the two in one tool.
Will a phone-based camera do the job?
For finding wet areas in a domestic loss, yes. For detailed reports, roof or electrical work, a dedicated camera such as the FLIR C5 is the better tool.
Is thermal imaging safe?
Yes. The camera only receives infrared radiation; it emits nothing.
