About this equipment
The FLIR E6 Pro is a handheld thermal imaging camera used to document temperature patterns that may help guide a building-moisture investigation. The available unit provides 240 × 180 thermal resolution, FLIR MSX image enhancement, a 3.5-inch touchscreen, and a 5-megapixel visible-light camera.
Use thermal imaging with moisture verification
Thermal images show surface-temperature differences; they do not directly prove moisture or identify a leak source. Confirm suspected areas with a moisture meter, hygrometer readings, visual inspection, and appropriate professional judgment.
HBS confirms availability, rental period, rate, handling expectations, and delivery or pickup details for each request.
What renters use it for
- Spotting temperature patterns that suggest how far water spread under flooring or behind drywall, then confirming them with a moisture meter.
- Checking ceilings after a roof leak or an air conditioning drain line overflow.
- Finding missing insulation and air leaks around windows and doors.
- Documenting conditions before and after drying with saved images.
What the E6 Pro specifications mean for moisture work
Moisture usually shows up as a small temperature difference, so the camera's sensitivity matters. FLIR lists the E6 Pro's thermal sensitivity (NETD) at under 0.06°C, and FLIR's own guide to finding water leaks names the E6 Pro as a camera for basic moisture applications.
- 240 × 180 thermal resolution: 43,200 temperature points in each image.
- MSX: adds edge detail from the built-in visible camera, so you can tell which outlet, joint or ceiling corner you are looking at.
- 1-Touch Level/Span: tap an area and the camera adjusts the color scale to the contrast there. FLIR's leak guide says moisture stands out most clearly with the span set to about 10 to 20°C.
- Focus free, with a minimum focus distance of 0.36 m (1.18 ft) and a measurement range of -20 to 550°C in two ranges.
- Battery: FLIR lists 4 hours of operating time.
- Saving images: pictures go to internal memory, and you can add text notes on the touchscreen. Ask HBS how you will get copies of your images before you return the camera.
How to scan a room for signs of hidden water
- Create a temperature difference first. FLIR explains that water shows up through evaporation, capacitance or conduction, and that weather and indoor humidity affect what you see. Running the air conditioning on a warm Florida day usually helps.
- Stand back and scan the whole room: each wall from ceiling to floor, the ceiling, and the floor edges. A wide view shows which areas need a closer look.
- Tap the suspect area to set the level and span, then move closer.
- Save a thermal image and a visible photo of each suspect spot, and add a note on where it is.
- Confirm every spot with a moisture meter. FLIR says you should always use one to confirm what the camera detected.
Tips for clear thermal images
- Scan when there is a temperature difference, for example with the air conditioning running on a warm day.
- Hold the camera at a slight angle to shiny surfaces to avoid reflections.
- Mark suspect areas and confirm them with a moisture meter before drawing conclusions.
Patterns to look for
FLIR's leak guide describes the shapes moisture usually takes:
- Walls: a triangle pointing down from the source as water spreads downward.
- Ceilings: an irregular shape with wet, damp and moist areas spreading outward at different temperatures.
- Floods: water wicking up the wall into the insulation and along the studs.
- Hot water pipes: a leak shows as a warm area rather than a cool one.
What can look like water but is not
FLIR warns that a pattern that looks like moisture does not prove water is present, and that thermal images are easy to misread.
Common look-alikes include cold air from a supply vent, an air leak around a window or door, missing insulation, and shiny surfaces such as polished metal, which FLIR says do not read accurately because of their low emissivity. That is why every suspect spot gets a moisture meter reading.
Safety notes
- The camera cannot tell you whether water is clean. Sewage, toilet backflow, and outside floodwater or storm surge are contaminated water under the IICRC S500 standard and CDC guidance, and the S500 places washing machine and dishwasher overflows in Category 2. All of them need an appropriate experienced professional.
- If you see or smell mold in the area, do not run drying fans there; call an appropriate experienced professional.
- A warm outlet or switch is one of the electrical warning signs listed by the Electrical Safety Foundation International. Stop using it and call a qualified electrician; do not remove an electrical panel cover or outlet plate to scan the wiring.
- Do not stand under a sagging wet ceiling. FEMA lists sagging ceilings and floors as signs of possibly dangerous structural damage.
Prefer a technician to do the scan?
HBS offers an optional professional moisture assessment: thermal imaging to locate suspect wet areas, moisture readings to confirm them, a moisture map of the affected walls, floors and ceilings, hygrometer readings, and photo and video documentation with a written report you can share with your insurance company.
Daily moisture monitoring with drying logs can be added to an assessment. See the assessment rate under rental rates.
For a clean-water leak, ask HBS about its separately scoped water-only drying at (772) 677-1735. HBS does not offer mold remediation or contaminated-water cleanup, and neither a rental nor HBS's water-only drying includes restoration or repairs.
Equipment that works with the FLIR camera
- Protimeter SurveyMaster moisture meter to confirm each suspect spot.
- Commercial dehumidifier and air movers once you know how far the water spread.
- Injecti-Dry Direct-It IN for wet wall cavities the scan points to and the meter confirms.
Renting in Stuart and nearby towns
HBS Equipment Rentals is based in Stuart and serves Martin and St. Lucie County, including Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, and Port Salerno.
Pickup or delivery is confirmed for each job address. For a FLIR thermal camera rental in Port St. Lucie, Stuart or Jensen Beach, include the dates you need it and what you are checking.
Common questions
Can a thermal camera see water behind walls?
Not directly. It shows surface temperature differences, and evaporating moisture often makes a wet area look cooler. Use it to find suspect areas, then confirm with a moisture meter.
When does a thermal camera work best?
It works best when there is a temperature difference between the wet area and the rest of the room, for example with the air conditioning running on a warm day.
Do I need training to use the FLIR E6 Pro?
The camera is point-and-shoot with a touchscreen, but reading thermal images takes care. Ask HBS any questions about operating it when your rental is confirmed.
Is the FLIR E6 Pro sensitive enough to find moisture?
FLIR lists its thermal sensitivity at under 0.06°C and names the E6 Pro as a camera for basic moisture applications. It shows surface-temperature differences that can point to hidden moisture; confirm every suspect spot with a moisture meter.
How long does the E6 Pro battery last?
FLIR lists 4 hours of operating time for the camera's rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
What can look like a leak on a thermal camera?
Cold air from a supply vent, air leaks around windows and doors, missing insulation and reflections on shiny surfaces can all look like moisture. FLIR says to confirm every suspect spot with a moisture meter.
Can HBS do the thermal scan for me?
Yes. HBS offers an optional professional moisture assessment with thermal imaging, moisture readings and mapping, hygrometer readings, and photo and video documentation with a written report for your insurance company. See rental rates.