Aerial

Infrared Investigation

Sometimes the infrared investigation can be a GOOD RESULT! This owner had questions and concerns for his building.  They had a few leaks and some of the roofing contractors had a hard time finding the leaks which caused them to be concerned.  We all want the real scoop.  Finding the real scoop allows hitting the issues head on.  Building owners worry because their roof has a few leaks.   Getting a roof infrared gives a clear picture as to where the water is coming from.  This building below had some issues so we performed an infrared on the building flat roof.
Commercial building to perform an infrared
The result of the scan is shown below.  Some of the brighter yellows and reds are a result of some of the HVAC Units operating on the roof not that there is a significant leak.  This is why it is very important to know how to read an infrared scan of your roof.  Some could look at this and say, yes there are leaks all over.  This is not the case.  There are no leaks on this roof.
Aerial Infrared scan of the roof system.
Roof system x-ray

ROOF SYSTEM X-RAY

Roof System x-ray (sort of read on) A roof system x-ray or better known as an infrared of your roof system, performed with a drone, can be both cost-effective and eye-opening.  The featured picture is an infrared of the below building.  Drone Infrared Imaging flew about 80' off the ground to capture the below image.  The pvc roof system has seen its better days.  The roof is now dull and dingy.  The black stained areas usually have to do with the lack of drainage on the system.  A roof that has poor drainage does not mean those areas are leaking.  In this example, it is revealed that it is opposite. roof system x-ray What would a roof consultant say? A roof consultant would probably recommend a complete tear off for this roof system.  Good plan if the owner of the building could afford it.  The infrared drone is just reading the moisture of the layer of insulation directly under the roof system.  It can't read the other layer which is under the initial roof system and over the deck.  The only way to know the moisture content in that layer would be to investigate leaks by doing a series of core samples. Infrared Scan helps to provide economical roof system option The roofing contractor removed the top layer of roofing.  The infrared helped make this decision.  The moisture did not penetrate the initial layer of insulation over the deck so they could leave that roof in place.  This made it very affordable and something that the owner was willing to do.  The requirements for roof insulation are very high.  Roof insulation is now the highest component of the roof system.  A recovery board was installed instead of all the different layers of insulation which saved money.  There was a labor saving by not tearing off the bottom roof.  As a result, a building owner was happy!
Drone Infrared Imaging

ROOF CONSULTANT

When should I hire a Roof Consultant? Never, if you want to make the mistake that so many others in your shoes have made.  Understanding your roof system and have a professional make some decisions regarding that roof can go a long way in saving you money in the end.  Also a lot of building owners, property managers, condominiums, apartments need the security of hiring a roof consultant. What would a Roof Consultant do for me? He should make a clear and concise assessment of your roof.  He should know every component of the roof system from the deck to the top layer of roofing.  There should be an explanation of  how he got to the decision of picking the roof system he chose.  Pictures are a must for explaining each item involved in the roof system.  We at Drone Infrared Imaging, use a drone with a HD Camera to allow us to capture pictures and video to put in our presentation. Specifications are  probably the most important piece to the puzzle because it keeps everyone on the same page.  How many times have we been in a position of making a decision based on three or four different types of roofing systems.  This leaves us guessing which roof system will be best for our situation and it leaves the door wide open for massive price differences.  If all contractors are bidding from the same specification then the price differences should be small.  Roofing contractors tend to give better pricing if they know they are bidding the same system and are bidding against other who are doing the same. The last piece is to decide on a roofing contractor to confirm their pricing and set up the project.  The consultant can also be involve with the entire roof project to make sure things are getting done correctly.  Aerial photography can be taken periodically to inform all involved where we are at in the progress of the roof project.  Video Overview of a Roof Project What about Roof Consultant pricing? There are many price points which can be used.  The consultant can just assess the roof system currently install to see if repair can be done which would be a low-cost item.  Or they can be involved in the whole roof replacement process from start to finish relieving the burden of others having to take large amounts of time and energy out of our busy schedules.  All price points will be available after an assessment of the project is done depending on how small or large the project is.
Drone Infrared Imaging

Commercial Real Estate Roof Inspection

Commercial real estate roof inspection with infrared will take the unknown out of the equation in purchasing a building.  With the new codes for roof insulation on a flat commercial industrial roof, commercial roofs have become a very expensive proposition.  As an owner, if you are purchasing a building, an infrared scan of the roof can reveal what current owners probably don't want you to know.  Moisture underneath a roof system will serve as a catalyst to deteriorate the roof system from the underside of the system.   What does this mean?  Replacing your roof could cost between $10-$20 per sq ft.  This needs to be negotiated before the sale of the building! The above infrared roof scan can reveal whether there is moisture trapped under the system.  Is the above infrared something that will make us fearful or something that will make us feel secure?  The answer is secure.  The above system has very little changes in temperature all the way across the roof system thus giving it an "A" rating.  There are no signs of moisture or leaks for that matter. Drone Infrared Imaging can give security knowing for sure the roof on your future facility is in good condition.  We can take the guess-work out of a roofing contractor taking core sample to see if moisture is found.  ONE other important point: Roof insulation can absorb a lot of water before it actually leaks into the building.  So just asking if there are any leaks is not a good determination that the roof is safe and sound.