Infrared Roof Inspections Help Detect Moisture Intrusions

As the days get shorter and the air gets colder and natural moisture is more common, it’s time to consider infrared inspections to help detect potential roof moisture instructions. Heat Seeking Thermal Imaging recommends getting infrared roof inspections to catch any moisture intrusions, or structural hazards.

There are certain criteria that need to be met to perform an efficient thermal imaging inspection of the roof. First and foremost, the inspection must be performed a few hours after sunset. There must’ve been a substantial amount of moisture present within no more than seven days prior to inspection, however you do not want standing water on the roof to be inspected. The day of the inspection, some solar loading will be required to help manifest areas of concern. There are only certain types of roofing material and applications in which these inspections will work effectively. Once moisture is located, it is verified with the nonintrusive moisture meter.

Infrared roof inspections detect:

• Trapped moisture in flat roofs
• Roof leaks
• Defects in the waterproofing layer

Some people may think an infrared roof inspection isn’t worth their time or money because a leaking roof should be obvious. Water dripping into puddles should be a clear sign, right? At this point, the damage done could have been prevented by earlier detection of moisture intrusions. Additionally, thermographic inspection could reveal problems the naked eye can’t see. Pointing out areas with issues and repairing those areas can provide substantial cost savings, rather than replacing the entire work surface, which may have life remaining.

Infrared roof inspections use high-resolution infrared thermal imaging cameras to find trapped moisture. These high-resolution cameras are able to detect areas of concern that can’t be found through visual inspection. Wet areas are located, marked, documented with photographs IR and digital and then put into a report format, which can then assist the building owner in determining an effective direction of repair. Infrared roof inspections show it’s not always necessary to replace an entire roof. Inspections can help identify wet sections that can be repaired before further damage occurs.

Contact Heat Seeking Thermal Imaging for more information about infrared roof inspections in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and all of Canada, as well as any of your other thermal imaging needs.