Aerial Roof Thermography
Thermal drone roof inspections offer roofing companies, insurance adjusters, and property managers a powerful tool for identifying hidden problems, such as water intrusion and insulation issues, by capturing temperature variations across the roof.
Drone thermal roof scans allow for quick, safe leak protection analysis, providing actionable insights that empower roofing companies, insurance adjusters, and property managers with actionable data.
Thermal drone roof inspection technology is particularly useful in assessing the condition of existing roofs. It also ensures new installations meet quality standards for leak protection.
Thermal imaging technology can distinguish roofing services by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and informing data-driven decisions. This streamlined approach leads to more efficient project management.
While infrared imaging can detect anomalies in various types of roof structures, the primary use case is with commercial flat/low-sloped roofs (TPO, EPDM, etc.).
We utilize the latest in thermal drone technology to service clients in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and across the state of Texas.
How Thermal Drone Roof Inspections Work
Drone thermal roof inspections are conducted by using an aerial infrared sensor to capture thermal anomalies indicative of moisture intrusion.
These scans should be done at night after the roof structure has cooled off. Since water has a high specific heat, it takes longer to warm up and longer to cool down than the surrounding roof materials.
So, when performed at the correct time, areas of moisture intrusion will present themselves as noticeable temperature variations on a thermogram (referred to as the ∆T). When these inspections are done at night, the water will appear warmer than the surrounding roof.
With radiometric data (which is what we can produce with our thermal drone), it is possible to measure exact temperatures from the thermal image. But, for roofing applications, it is typically sufficient to simply observe temperature variations to pinpoint problem areas without performing an exact temperature analysis.
The Benefits of Thermal Drone Roof Inspections
Thermal flat roof scans can benefit property owners/managers, insurance professionals, and roofing companies.
Thermal Roof Inspections for Property Owners/Managers
Our thermography services are key to ensuring the longevity of your roofing system. By utilizing advanced thermal imaging technology, we can detect issues that are invisible to the naked eye during a conventional roof inspection, such as moisture ingress that can deteriorate the underlying insulation and wooden roof structure.
Early detection and remediation of these problems extend the life of your roof, safeguarding your investment over the long term. For property management companies and professionals, the roof is one of the most important considerations regarding overall structural integrity. For this reason, a proactive approach to roof management is critical.
Routine infrared roof scans can save you a substantial amount of money in potential repair costs. Our services identify minor moisture intrusion issues before they escalate into major problems. This helps prevent the need for expensive repairs or complete roof replacement should the problem go undetected.
Addressing problems early on is cost-effective and ensures that your roof continues performing its critical protective functions without interruption.
A periodic aerial infrared roof inspection is a cost-effective way to monitor one of your property’s most critical components.
A well-insulated and defect-free roof is crucial for maintaining the energy efficiency of your building. Thermal irregularities, such as insulation gaps and moisture-damaged insulation, can increase heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, moisture penetration can lead to mold issues, a major health hazard for property tenants/residents.
Our thermal roof scan services can help pinpoint these issues, allowing for targeted improvements that bolster your roof’s insulating properties and reduce energy expenses.
Thermal Roof Inspections for Insurance Professionals
Please note: Self Aerial Imagery LLC does not claim that our thermal analysis should be regarded as a comprehensive, standalone product for insurance claims purposes. Our thermal analysis process aims to capture and present preliminary data regarding suspected moisture ingress.
Thermal drone roof scans are a great tool for insurance adjusters. The images captured during these inspections provide meaningful preliminary data on the condition of a flat roof structure. Significant information can be gleaned on the status of a roof without setting foot on the roof itself.
Aerial thermal imaging reveals damage to a flat roof’s wooden foundation and underlying insulation. This makes it an invaluable tool for insurance adjusters to leverage when assessing the extent of a roof’s damage.
Thermal Roof Inspections for Commercial Roofing Companies
The data captured in a thermal drone roof scan can help roofing professionals better direct maintenance efforts on a project. Project managers can better plan for a flat roof repair/replacement if the condition of the plywood and underlying insulation is assessed via thermal imaging before even setting foot on site.
For a roof repair project, aerial thermal imaging can help direct restoration efforts to the problem areas of interest. Roofing companies can utilize the latest in drone infrared technology to make your process safer and more efficient.
A new flat roof is only as good as its moisture-sealing capability. Thermal drone roof inspections can be beneficial in the quality assurance process. A thermal drone roof scan reveals whether the roof is sealed properly after an installation or repair.
If water penetrates a new roof because it was installed poorly, it’s best to diagnose the mishap as early as possible to take corrective action, and aerial infrared imaging is the best way to do so. It is significantly more cost-effective, safe, and efficient than traditional leak check methods.
Thermal roof scans can also be used for lead generation for commercial roofing companies. We can systematically scan and photograph commercial roofs in a particular part of the metroplex to identify roofs with obvious signs of moisture ingress issues. We can then provide these images along with the property address to the roofing company to follow up on as a viable lead. Our clients can rest assured that all leads received are completely unique to their company.
Aerial Infrared Roof Inspections — The End Product
There are two different products you can request depending on the details of the project.
Thermal Roof Scan Analysis
First, you can receive a thermal roof scan analysis highlighting thermal anomalies indicating leaks and other potential issues with the roof.
Depending on the scope of the inspection, we can provide accurate temperature measurements of any observed thermal anomalies.
This provides better insight into the potential extent of the suspected damage. We then use our knowledge of thermography to interpret the radiometric data captured during the inspection to provide our clients with a professional analysis of the data.
Below is an example of an excerpt of a roof inspection report generated from a thermal scan of a portion of a flat roof.
2D Thermal Roof Map
If a project warrants it or if requested by our clients, we can generate a 2D thermal map of the roof using state-of-the-art cloud-based software. Simply put, we capture a significant number of infrared photos and use the software to stitch them together, creating a product that resembles Google Maps but with the roof’s thermal data overlaid onto it.
This product allows our clients to assess the thermal status of roof structures more cohesively, which makes it ideal for large projects. At a glance, all members of your team can assess the condition of the roof.
Our clients will receive a link to the map along with photos taken of the project on our cloud-based software. Clients can then interact with the product, make annotations, and collaborate with their team more effectively.
We strictly adhere to the standards set forth in ASTM C1153, so you can rest assured that our data is as accurate as possible. Upholding industry standards for infrared roof scans ensures our clients receive reliable, actionable data.
Interested in a quote for your project? Head on over to our contact page to drop us a line.