Infrared Drone Roof Inspections
Taking Infrared Thermography to New Heights with Drone Technology
Drone Thermal Imaging Inspections for Commercial Roofs
Finding out the true condition of your commercial roof is essential to knowing if it needs maintenance, repair, retrofit, or replacement. An Infrared Drone Survey is the perfect tool to detect moisture intrusion, damaged insulation, air leaks, construction defects, and other subsurface anomalies below the roof mat.
How is Infrared Technology Used in Commercial Roofing?
A visual inspection cannot accurately identify moisture below the roof surface. Infrared technology provides an economical way to identify precise areas of wet insulation and moisture present in your commercial roof system without damaging the roof system.
How Does an Infrared Camera Work?
A thermal imaging camera detects the heat given off by an object. During the day, the sun heats your commercial roof as well as any moisture trapped within. As the sun sets, the roof temperature begins to drop. However, any wet materials under its surface take longer to cool down. This moisture can be easily detected by the infrared camera.
Combining Thermal Imaging with Drone Technology
To provide a complete and thorough analysis of your commercial roof’s condition, Roofing Dynamics combines data from traditional on-the-roof infrared scans with aerial infrared drone photography to provide a clear image of your roof system.
The Infrared Drone Inspection Process
Performed from the ground at night, our certified drone pilots are able to gather valuable aerial data about your commercial roof from overhead as well as from multiple angles. The images captured include the entire roof as well as suspected areas of concern.
Whether your roof system has missing or damaged insulation, leaks, moisture intrusion, or other imperfections, our drone pilots can quickly pinpoint the source of your commercial roofing problems.
Since the I.R. scanner reads radiant energy, and since most radiant energy beams straight up, this real-time information allows us to make the most accurate assessment when it comes to repairing or replacing the roof in an extremely efficient manner.
All findings are confirmed through further onsite testing and a comprehensive roof inspection report of your data is presented.
Case Study: Infrared Commercial Roof Drone Survey
Client: Piramal Pharma Solutions
Location: Sellersville, Pennsylvania
Commercial Roof Issue: As a subject of litigation after purchasing their facility, Piramal needed court-ready documentation proving the exact condition of the roof, how that condition came to be, and what price tag could be anticipated for a proper fix.
Project Challenges: Multiple layers of roofing on most buildings revealed vague or confusing thermograms from on-the-roof infrared scans. An infrared drone survey was recommended to generate clearer and undeniably precise readings. In addition, due to the vast areas involved, aerial drone photography could easily and efficiently allow a view of the roof in its entirety.
Inspection Process: To begin, a visual and tactile walkthrough was performed along with the destructive testing (cores and probes). Next, daylight survey photographs and on-the-roof infrared thermograms were completed. Only then could we adequately direct the drone flight path and target problem areas. Lastly, infrared drone photography captured both still images and video.
Results: All problems were comprehensively documented with each area exhibiting a unique status. A report of our findings was provided to include all data collected along with recommendations ranging from maintenance to simple repair to total replacement for each problem area with accurate projected costs.
Solution: By not recommending tearing off every roof and directing repairs and/or maintenance for other areas, a reasonable case was presented for arbitration and a future game plan for re-roofing established. Piramal should benefit to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Powerful Data & Totally Beyond Dispute
Driven by the need for court-ready documentation, this facility study clearly shows new, still usable, older, and damaged, ill-designed roof areas.
The yellow/red color imaging shows just how far overt and permeation leaking damaged or soaked the insulation within the roof system.
Combining this data with the usual on-the-roof coring and scanning allowed the owner to demonstrate precisely what dollars would be involved in the amelioration process.
The Infrared Drone Survey Thermograms
The below infrared images were presented to the client as part of our comprehensive report.
Reverse angle LCO at top of thermogram.
Close up LCO. Red/purple is moisture spreading into drier portions.
Rear portion of LCO. Note flumes appear dark.
Wide angle Area C1 in upper center of thermogram. Note yellow/hot/wet portions.
Close up of C1. By the ladder entranceway and very very soft underfoot. Note board patterns in (wet) yellow with freeform spreading out in jagged pattern
Reverse angle of C1 in dead center.
Find Hidden Problems Before They Become Costly Repairs!
As an independent third-party, Roofing Dynamics is the trusted advisor you need to inform you of the true condition of your roof. Roofing Dynamics provides building owners, property managers, and facility managers accurate assessment of existing commercial roofing conditions utilizing the latest technologies with an emphasis on personal attention, quality control, and cost-effectiveness.
