When Your Building Misbehaves, We Find Out Why
Make Smart, Cost-Effective Repair Decisions
Using advanced infrared thermography, we uncover hidden problems in your home or building like:
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Heat loss
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Water intrusion
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Poor ventilation
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Foul odors
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Mold and many other issues
So you can make smart, cost-effective repair decisions.
You Can't Fix What You Can't Identify
What We Do and What We Don't Do
CDA does not perform any repairs, nor do we sell products, or perform destructive discovery so there is NEVER a conflict of interest.
Contractors: In many cases we are referred by contractors in many fields that are called upon to diagnose issues that they are not familiar with.
Even though we are certified home inspectors, we do not offer home inspection services for purchase and sale.
We are strictly building science inspectors.
Our Expertise
Certified Level III Thermographer
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Comprehensive Inspection Services
Infrared Building Inspections
Detecting Heat Loss & Leaks
Stop wasting money and save on energy costs.
Residential & Commercial Properties
Thorough & Accurate Reports
No Repairs, Just Answers
Professional & Reliable Service
Client Education
Ensuring Understanding of Inspection Results
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Mold Detection
Find the source of leaks and water damage early with infrared scanning.
ITC Certified | Infrared Roof & Leak Detection | Mold & Moisture Experts
CDA Building Infrared
What is Building Science & Why It Matters
Your home or building is a complex system—not just a collection of parts. Building science is the study of how air, heat, and moisture move through that system. When something goes wrong—like high energy bills, drafts, or mold—it’s usually not just one part failing. It’s a system issue.
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That’s where infrared inspections come in. CDA Infrared uses non-destructive thermography to diagnose problems others can’t see. Whether you're dealing with a mysterious draft, water damage, or a failing HVAC system, understanding the why behind the issue is what prevents wasted money on unnecessary repairs.
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Bathroom Remodel
Case Study
A homeowner had their primary bathroom completely remodeled and a walk in bathtub installed. The home owner continued to intermittently find water on the floor next to the tub. The remodeler and plumbers were contacted with no results.
This turned out to be a leak where a hand held shower wand was leaking only when the shower wand was in use discharging water under the tub and running across the floor.
Problem solved with no financial loss.
Heat Loss & Comfort Problems
Do parts of your house feel colder than others? Is your energy bill through the roof? Infrared shows where heat is escaping—through walls, windows, ceilings, and insulation gaps.
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CDA Infrared helps homeowners fix comfort and energy issues by identifying exactly where heat is leaking.
Heat Loss & High Energy Bills
Case Study
A family in Coeur d’Alene was running their heating system constantly, yet their home remained cold and drafty—especially in certain rooms. Multiple HVAC technicians inspected the furnace and thermostat, but everything appeared to be working properly. Still, the energy bills kept climbing and the comfort issues persisted.
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Brent was called in to perform an infrared inspection. Within minutes, the thermal imaging revealed the real issue: several heat ducts in the crawl space had become disconnected. Instead of warming the living areas, heated air was leaking into the uninsulated crawl space.
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Thanks to Brent’s non-invasive thermal scan, the problem was identified quickly—without tearing open walls or floors. The ducts were reconnected, and the home's heating system returned to full efficiency. The family immediately noticed improved comfort and significantly lower heating costs.
Brian W.
"Brent was very helpful and responsive. I have a moisture issue in my house and Brent spent a lot of time on the phone discussing my options. He even said that he couldn't help with my issue and didn't waste my money. I would definitely recommend this place."
Tyler O.
"Brent was extremely helpful and informative, and gave me excellent advice. I really appreciate his free help. I called Brent and texted him some pictures of a white-colored growth around our fireplace. He was able to diagnose the issue without even seeing it in person. Brent also gave me great recommendations and suggestions on the next steps. Thank you for the excellent service and helpfulness!"
Travis H.
"We had a sliding glass door leak and Brent helped me diagnose the problem over the phone. Very honest about not needing his services at this time and helpful. Hard to find this level of integrity."
Leaks You Can’t See: Plumbing & Radiant Heating
Plumbers often guess and cut into walls or floors to find leaks. CDA Infrared pinpoints hidden water leaks without the guesswork—whether it’s a burst pipe, radiant floor heating leak, or slow drip behind drywall.
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As a general rule plumbers do not find leaks they fix them.
CDA Building Infrared do not fix leaks or conditions we find leaks, so they can be corrected by the appropriate trades person.
Find & Fix Leaks and Avoid Expensive Damage
Case Study
A radiant heating loop embedded beneath a concrete floor had developed a slow, persistent leak. The client was advised by contractors that finding the source would require tearing up large sections of the slab—an expensive, invasive, and time-consuming process.
Instead, Brent used thermal imaging to scan the entire floor and identified the exact location of the leak—within just 3 inches. With that information, the repair team was able to isolate and fix the problem quickly, avoiding unnecessary demolition and saving thousands in labor and material costs.
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In another case, a homeowner noticed water dripping from the kitchen ceiling. They called in multiple plumbers, all of whom insisted there was no plumbing issue. Still, the leak continued. Brent was brought in to investigate. Using infrared thermography, he traced the source of the water to a leaking tile shower pan in the master bathroom directly above the kitchen. Because the leak only occurred when the shower was in use, it had gone undetected during standard plumbing checks.
Brent’s inspection not only solved the mystery, but prevented further water damage—and a potential mold issue—before it worsened.
Moisture & Mold Intrusion
Not all water damage is visible. Moisture trapped in walls or ceilings can quietly cause rot and mold. Infrared thermography identifies hidden moisture before it causes real damage.
Thermal Imaging Identifies Dangerous Moisture Source Missed by Contractors
Case Study
A national insurance company replaced an entire roof twice in three years thinking that the roof had failed and was creating mold throughout the attic of a single family home.
There was nothing wrong with the roof coverings. The moisture source promoting the mold was the gas furnace and water heater within the attached garage that had a blocked flue pipe with hornets.
The exhaust gasses have a lot of moisture within it. This exhaust was entering the garage from the draft hood on the water heater and migrating into the attic. This moisture source was enough water to promote mold throughout the attic.
It is a wonder that the occupants of the home were not harmed from the carbon monoxide that was also released into the occupied portions of the home!
Indoor Air Quality & Ventilation Problems
Poor airflow can trap allergens, increase humidity, and lead to uncomfortable or unhealthy indoor environments. CDA Infrared’s infrared inspections and building science expertise help identify blockages and failures in attic, crawlspace, and wall ventilation.
The Mysterious Odor Making a Family Sick
Case Study
A family contacted us because their home had developed a persistent, overwhelming smell. Multiple contractors had come through to investigate, checking plumbing, HVAC, and crawlspaces—yet no one could pinpoint the source. The smell was triggering headaches and nausea, and the family was becoming increasingly worried.
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Using a combination of thermal imaging and airflow analysis, Brent was able to isolate stagnant air pockets where contaminants were building up. Further questioning and investigation revealed a surprising culprit: the family had been over-fertilizing dozens of indoor houseplants with a potent liquid fertilizer. Without adequate ventilation, the fumes were becoming concentrated in the living space—enough to cause real symptoms.
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Once the issue was identified and airflow was improved, the odor quickly began to dissipate, and the family’s symptoms cleared. No invasive work was needed—just the right tools and experience to ask the right questions and follow the airflow.
Insulation Verification
Ever wonder what’s actually behind your walls? CDA Infrared uses infrared to assess insulation levels without opening anything up. This is ideal for both homeowners and contractors wanting to verify energy efficiency before investing in new systems.
The “Fully Insulated” Home That Wasn’t
Case Study
A family had recently purchased a home advertised as “fully insulated.” But despite their best efforts to keep it warm, parts of the home were drafty and the heating system ran constantly. The crawlspace felt especially cold, and they were concerned the home might need a new HVAC system.
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Brent performed an infrared scan of the structure and quickly revealed the truth: large sections of the wall were missing insulation entirely, and the crawlspace had zero insulation. These issues weren’t visible to the eye, and a traditional home inspection hadn’t flagged them.
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Thanks to the infrared scan, the family was able to add insulation exactly where it was missing—without guessing or overspending. They avoided the cost of a new heating system and saw an immediate improvement in comfort and energy efficiency.
Blower Door Testing
A blower door test shows how airtight your building is—and more importantly, where it’s leaking. By depressurizing the building, we can force air through any gaps or weak points in the structure. At CDA Infrared, we take this one step further by pairing blower door testing with infrared thermography, allowing us to actually see where air is entering or escaping.
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This combo helps homeowners and contractors go beyond theory to practical solutions: instead of guessing where drafts are coming from, we show you exactly where—and how—your home is losing energy.
Diagnosing a Drafty, Inefficient Home
Case Study
Brent was called in to evaluate a home with long-standing energy efficiency issues. The homeowners had already spent money sealing windows, upgrading insulation, and even replacing their HVAC system—but the home was still drafty and hard to keep comfortable.
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Instead of focusing on what might be wrong, Brent focused on what wasn’t the problem. A blower door test was run, and then infrared imaging was used to scan the walls, ceilings, and penetrations as the building was under pressure.
What it revealed surprised everyone: the major leaks weren’t coming from windows or insulation—but from poorly sealed framing around the attic access, recessed lighting, and uninsulated plumbing chases that were pulling air from the crawlspace. None of this had been caught in previous work.
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By using blower door testing and thermal imaging together, Brent helped the homeowners eliminate false assumptions and target their repairs precisely, saving them thousands of dollars in trial-and-error fixes.
Commercial Roof Moisture Scans
Flat commercial roofs are expensive to replace—and even more expensive to misdiagnose. Our aerial infrared inspections help you pinpoint exactly where the real problems are, so you can make smart, defensible decisions before committing to costly repairs or legal action.
A City-Block-Sized Roof & 600 Thermal Images
Case Study
Brent was brought in to scan a massive commercial warehouse—nearly a full city block in size—after bulk water intrusion caused significant damage. Lawsuits were being prepared against both the roofing contractor and the manufacturer, and tensions were high. The assumption? The entire roofing membrane had failed.
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But Brent's aerial infrared scan told a different story.
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Using over 600 thermal images captured by drone, Brent and his team stitched together a comprehensive thermal map of the entire roof. The results revealed that the membrane was intact—but nearly 200 skylights had failed due to poor flashing installation.
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Because of the precision and clarity of the report, the building owner avoided a full roof replacement and was able to hold the correct party accountable—saving time, money, and massive legal exposure.
Insurance Claims & Repair Disputes
If you're filing a claim or questioning a contractor’s work, CDA Infrared provides cause-of-loss reports that are clear, image-based, and trusted by adjusters and builders alike.
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Many insurance companies no longer have enough staff adjusters for property claims so they are requesting that the home owners have an independent assessment of the potential loss from an unbiased third party building science inspector. Since we work for the home owner and not the insurance company there is no appearance of bias in the reporting.
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Aerial Drone Inspections
Some roofs and walls are simply too dangerous or costly to inspect manually. CDA Infrared uses aerial infrared drone technology to capture thermal images of flashing, gutters, and roof systems safely and efficiently. These inspections take place without entering or touching the structure. This is very important with highly secure facilities.
Falling Bricks at a Public School
Case Study
A large, older brick public school was experiencing a dangerous issue: bricks were detaching and falling from its two-story side walls. The concern wasn’t just cosmetic—it was a major liability risk. But scaffolding and full-wall demolition were financially out of the question.
Brent and team were called in to provide a smarter, non-destructive solution.
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Using a combination of aerial infrared thermography and daylight camera imaging, the exterior envelope of the building was scanned in high detail. The thermal images revealed a clear pattern: excess interior moisture was penetrating the brick façade from the inside. When temperatures dropped, the wet mortar froze and expanded, loosening the bricks from within.
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By identifying the true source of the failure—poor interior ventilation and moisture control—the school avoided a full exterior rebuild and was able to target repairs at the root cause, improving both safety and indoor air quality.
Training for Field Professionals
CDA Infrared also trains company facility engineers, contractors, home inspectors and many others in the fundamentals of infrared and building science. The difference with us is that we are in the field a lot and not stuck in a cubical with no real experience.
Our Specializations
Areas of Expertise
Specialized in Infrared Building Inspections
Residential Properties
Focused on Home Inspection Needs
Commercial Properties
Business Establishment Inspections
Thermal Anomaly Detection
Non-destructive testing
Why Choose Us?
At CDA Building Infrared, we don’t guess—we find answers. Brent Foster is a certified thermographer with decades of experience in building science. He uses infrared technology to spot the hidden issues others miss: trapped moisture, heat loss, poor ventilation, or unseen leaks.
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We don’t sell repairs, products, or push services you don’t need. That means you get honest, unbiased insight to help you make the right decision—saving time, money, and stress.
Transparent Service
Clear Pricing and Comprehensive Reports
Certified Thermography Team
Experienced & Knowledgeable Professionals
Client Satisfaction
Dedicated to Clear Communication & Understanding
Extensive Industry Experience
Benefit from 20+ years of Hands-On Industry Experience
What Customers are Saying
Jason P.
“Brent is amazing! I have called him twice about a leak in our home and he was thorough in helping to diagnose the problem with a few pictures I sent him. You know you are dealing with an expert and an honest person when they help you without charging you. I appreciate that he referred me to where I needed to go and gave me advice on what to ask my roofer. If you ever need an honest professional to help with a water issue, call Brent!”
Ben C.
“Brent spoke with me on the phone about a mold situation and offered clear suggestions for how to move forward, suggestions that may save me tens of thousands of dollars over the next 5 years by helping me not spend money on things that won't even help my situation. Brent is a rare kind of building professional who is trained to understand *what* to do to help a building work well. In a world where most advice comes from stores and influencers or contractors who specialize in selling things, Brent specializes in understanding and teaching things in a direct and clear manner. Call Brent if you want to know what to do from someone who is not trying to sell you something.​”
Chris C.
"CDA Building Infraredis an excellent resource for home energy and ventilation evaluation. We're in the market for a new roof and were given some advice on ventilation changes based on a history of attic mold in the home, but without good explanation. At the suggestion of a roofing contractor, I called Brent to ask his advice and potentially schedule a home review. Brent gave me a call and educated me on the home as a system and gave various suggestions as to remedy any issues, and ways to monitor. His advice was clear, evidence/data-driven, and excellent. He suggested we only have a visit if issues arise and we can't resolve. He's truly interested in making sure our problem is addressed as opposed to selling useless services, and it's much appreciated!
If we ever need any help again on moisture or energy issues we'll make Brent our first call!"