Providing Drone Based Infrared Thermographic Roof Inspections

Infrared thermal imaging is a proven inspection method for identifying moisture within commercial low sloped and flat roof structures. Internal moisture damage is not easily observed from traditional inspection methods. Moisture intrusion is often extensive compared to the size of an opening. Getting a good visual understanding of the extent of moisture damage gives you the data you need to make educated decisions on completely repairing damage, trace the area moisture is likely coming from, calculate whether a roof is a good candidate for repair or replacement based on the numbers and help assess conditions for processing insurance claims.

While the use of thermal imaging is highly effective, the results are considered to be suspect until further tested and validated. Our process includes deploying FLIR and TRAMEX moisture meters to further test the roof for internal moisture content without destroying the membrane. If destructive testing is required, we can perform moisture probe testing and recommend core sample locations on the roof. Once the field testing is completed, we process our findings into a detailed report that highlights and calculates how much moisture is present in the roof deducted from the collected evidence. The best part about thermal imaging is that it provides an excellent visual that clearly portrays the condition unbiased.

We regularly provide thermal imaging and moisture testing services inspection Built-Up Roofs, Modified Bitumen, TPO, EPDM, and PVC roof structures. Roof with gravel aggregate is acceptable as long as the gravel is smaller than 1″ in diameter. Residential structures typically produce unreliable results. The success of thermal imaging is based on many factors, but construction is a big one. If you have insulation directly underneath a membrane or exterior surface, we are likely to find success in surveying that structure.

Call Today To Learn More About How Thermographic Imaging and Moisture Testing Can Benefit Your Business at (888) 408-3242

Our Process

Visible (RGB) Imaging

The first thing we do is capture high-resolution visible (RGB) images of the entire roof from various angles. We stitch those various images together to create a map of the roof that clearly shows where ponding water is present, mechanical equipment, piping, debris, dips or low spots on the roof, discoloration of the roof membrane, any other signs that indicate deterioration of the condition of the membrane, observe patterns from stretching or wrinkling of the membrane due to uplift and more.

Thermal (Infrared) Imaging

Next, we capture our thermal images of the roof. This is completed just after sunset or sunrise depending on the weather conditions. These images will produce temperature readings of the surface of the roof and structures. With an understanding of the roof’s known construction and age being inspected, we can then study the thermal and visible images together to identify which anomalies we suspect to be moisture in the roof.

Physical Moisture Testing

Now that we have highlighted the areas we suspect to be wet or dry, further testing needs to be completed to validate those observations. Looking at the map and studying those areas, depending on how we are going to be involved in the case moving forward, we select various locations throughout the roof based on the temperature patterns to perform moisture meter testing, moisture probe testing and gather core samples.

Detailed Moisture Mapping Report

Once all the field data has been collected, it’s time to process a detailed report that reviews all our findings. The test results from each step of the process will conclude where we determine moisture to be present in the roof. Those areas will be highlighted and calculations on the size of each wet spot will be reported. We provide a roof measurement report on the size of the whole roof and compare it with the amount of moisture identified. For example, if you have a 100,000 sqm roof with roughly 30,000 sqm of moisture damage, you can deduce that 30% of the roof structure is compromised by water intrusion. This number can help prove roof conditions to insurance companies, helping show a client how much it cost to repair the damages rather than replace the whole roof and ensure all wet material is removed from the roof before installing a roof over to get the highest warranty possible from the manufacturer.