Spring is here, and that means it’s time to deep clean your home. It’s also the right time to protect it from damage caused by Old Man Winter.

If homeowners have suffered from particularly severe weather, a shout-out to New England and the Northeast is in order. The spring thaw caused by record-breaking snowfall can cause irreparable water damage.

Check for ice damming on roofs. This is when the snow on your roof melts, and the lower portion freezes. The gutter becomes a wall-like shape. This causes water to get trapped behind the dam, and it can then leak into your house. Water-stained ceilings and drywall, damp basement areas, cracks in concrete floors, and musty, musty odors are all signs of trouble.

To help find these sometimes-hard-to-see signs, you might want to consider investing in a thermal camera. This small device fits in your pocket and lets you access technology that was previously out of reach.

It works this way: All objects emit heat or “infrared light”Even in the absence visible light, true thermal cameras can clearly see what is happening. Although this technology is primarily used for law enforcement and military purposes, one company has made it more affordable for everyone.

Seek ThermalA thermal camera has been developed by, a California-based technology firm. It works with an app that converts invisible heat energy into images that can be viewed from your smartphone or tablet. The company claims that this makes it possible for homeowners to easily record and expose water damage before expensive repairs have to be made.

One Boston home builder has found that the Seek Thermal camera has changed his approach to business.

“With the Seek camera we’re able to isolate the exposure without cutting holes in the sheetrock,”Chris Rapczynski is president of Sleeping Dog Properties. “Now, with the thermal imaging camera, we’re able to quickly walk in, assess whether the water has infiltrated a wall cavity, and all of that can be done in minutes.

“A thermal imaging camera can bridge the gap between applying effort and knowing that the effort has been applied is the solution.” says Rapczynski. “The clients want it all.”

Visit www.amazon.com for more information www.thermal.com.