Infrared Roof Moisture Detection
We provide thermal flat roof inspections for clients in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and beyond. Infrared roof inspections are a powerful tool for identifying subsurface moisture. Thermal flat roof scans benefit:
- Commercial roofing companies who specialize in low-slope roofing systems.
- Insurance adjusters looking for preliminary evidence of moisture damage.
- Property managers who are looking to properly maintain flat roofing systems to extend their lifespan.
Drones facilitate accurate and efficient thermal roof scans. They can quickly capture critical infrared data from a top-down perspective.
Our certifications, experience, and operating standards include:
- FAA Part 107 — allows us to operate drones in a commercial capacity.
- Level 1 UAS Thermography — formal training to capture accurate aerial thermal images and provide preliminary data analysis.
- ASTM C1153 — the industry standard for infrared moisture identification in roofing systems.
Our experience and operating standards ensure our clients receive reliable, accurate, and actionable data.
How Infrared Drone Roof Inspections Work
Thermal drone roof inspections are conducted by using an aerial infrared sensor to capture thermal anomalies in the roof. These thermal anomalies can be indicative of moisture intrusion.
Infrared 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.
When performed at the correct time, areas of moisture intrusion will present as temperature variations in a thermal image. Subsurface moisture will be warmer than the surrounding roof, and this temperature discrepancy is apparent with a thermal drone.
With radiometric data (which is what we can produce), 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 Roof Inspections
Infrared roof scans can benefit several industries.
Commercial Roofing Companies
Thermal imaging technology can supplement roofing companies’ inspection processes by enhancing diagnostic accuracy and informing data-driven decisions. This streamlined approach leads to more efficient project management.
The primary use case for infrared imaging for moisture detection is with commercial flat/low-sloped roofs. These include:
- TPO
- EPDM
- PVC
- Modified bitumen
Infrared imaging can be less accurate with heavily ballasted roofs, as the ballast can sometimes mask the thermal signature from any subsurface moisture that might be present. But with the right environmental conditions and technique applied, thermal roof scans of lightly ballasted roofs can still be viable.
Thermal roof inspections can help project managers better plan for a roof repair/replacement if the condition of the underlying roof materials is assessed via thermal imaging beforehand. Some use cases include:
- Roof overlay — For roof overlay jobs, thermal imaging can be especially useful. If there is minimal to no suspected moisture revealed on the thermal analysis, roofing companies can go into the overlay project with the confidence that moisture will not be trapped underneath the new roofing material.
- Roof replacement — If there is significant suspected moisture revealed on the thermal analysis, roofing companies can go into the project with greater situational awareness, being fully prepared what to expect. Or, if destructive testing methods verify the preliminary thermal analysis and the results are bad enough, what was supposed to be an overlay job might turn into a complete new roof job.
- Roof repair — 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.
Insurance Adjusters
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. We recommend incorporating the data we collect/analyze with a multi-faceted approach to ascertain roof condition (i.e. core samples, etc.).
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 is 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.
Property Owners/Managers
Our thermography services are key to ensuring the longevity of your roofing system. By utilizing 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 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 tenants/residents.
What You Receive After a Thermal Roof Inspection
The inspection itself is the data-gathering part of the process. Then, we process and analyze that data to create the final product our clients receive.
Thermal Roof Scan Analysis/Report
Our clients receive a thermal roof scan analysis highlighting thermal anomalies indicating leaks and other potential issues with the roof. This product contains:
- The environmental conditions present at the time of the inspection.
- A preliminary analysis of findings.
- Individual thermal images captured by the drone with annotations denoting possible areas of concern.
2D Thermal Roof Map
If requested by our clients, we can generate a 2D thermal map of the roof using state-of-the-art software. The thermal roof scan analysis end product includes this map.
Simply put, we capture a significant number of infrared photos and use the software to stitch them together. This creates a product that resembles Google Maps but with the roof’s thermal data overlaid onto it.
By leveraging drone RTK technology — an enhanced GPS system that facilitates precision positioning — we can produce thermal roof maps of extremely high positional fidelity.
This product allows clients to assess the thermal status of roof structures more cohesively, making it ideal for large projects. At a glance, all members of your team can assess the condition of the roof.
Curious about how thermal drones compare to handheld units for roof inspections? Check out this post to learn more.
Learn More from Our Blog
Take a look at these blog posts to learn more about how our thermal drone moisture detection services have supported local companies: