FAQs about Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys
– How does an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey work?
– Should the Survey be done from the roof surface or an aircraft?
– What are the Required Conditions for an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey?
– What kind of roof is a candidate for an IR Survey?
– What are the options for a roof that is not candidate for an IR Survey?
– Why is it necessary to perform an invasive moisture probe?
– What standards apply to Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys?
– What should your report include?
– Why should you use Jersey Infrared Consultants?
How does an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey work?
Infrared thermography is a form of non-contact, non-destructive testing used to detect and document thermal patterns associated with areas of a roof that may contain moisture. Our high-resolution infrared imagers detect infrared energy emitted from the roof surface and convert it into an image, which is displayed on a monitor screen.
During the day, solar energy heats the surface of a roof system uniformly. As the roof surface begins to cool at the end of the day, areas of the roof that contain moisture retain the built up heat for a longer period of time. These will show up as warm thermal anomalies.
When an area with an unusual temperature pattern is located, a moisture probe is performed to confirm the presence of moisture. If moisture is present, the surface of the affected area of the roof is outlined and the thermal image is recorded. The thermogram, control photograph, roof drawing and area information are compiled into a report that is available in hardcopy and digital formats.
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Should the Survey be done from the roof surface or an aircraft?
When deciding whether to perform an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey or an Aerial Infrared Flat Roof Survey, many factors should be considered.
Advantages of performing the survey from the roof surface include:
- Moisture probes can be performed at the time of the survey
- Affected areas can be outlined on the surface of the roof
- Small areas of moisture are detectable
- No flight pattern restrictions
- Cost is usually significantly less
Advantages of performing the survey by aircraft include:
- Survey very large areas (hundreds of thousands of SF) in a shorter period of time
- Look at areas that may not be accessible by foot due to site or safety issues
- Collect information to compare overall conditions of several different roofs
It is important to remember that both types of survey have the same Required Roof Site Conditions; and both require an invasive test to positively confirm the presence of moisture.
Jersey Infrared Consultants provide Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys as well as Aerial Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys. Please contact us to discuss your specific project and which type of survey may best fit your needs.
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What are the Required Conditions for an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey?
The success of an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey is dependent on many conditions. The roof surface should be dry at sunrise; no precipitation during the day of the survey or while the survey is being performed; daytime high temperature at least 40°F; winds less than 15 mph; and a mostly sunny day. For more information, please see our Required Roof Conditions.
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What kind of roof is a candidate for an Infrared Survey?
Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys can usually be performed on commercial flat or low slope roof systems that are composed of a roof membrane over and in direct contact with insulation. The presence of insulation is necessary to provide a material to retain the moisture as well as solar energy. The membrane may be built-up or single-ply; smooth or gravel covered; original, coated or any color.
Since all IR imagers are NOT alike, it is essential that the thermographer selects the appropriate IR imager for the project. For example, in order to perform an accurate Infrared Survey of a reflective roof membrane (aluma-coated, TPO, PVC, hypalon, etc.) the Survey is best performed using a short wave infrared imager. Using a long wave IR imager on such roof compositions may result in areas of moisture NOT being detected.
Due to physical properties, IRMA roofs, un-insulated roofs or roofs covered with ballast (river rock or rock larger than a walnut) are not good candidates for an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey.
If you are not sure how an Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey would work on your roof, please contact us to discuss the specific conditions.
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What are the options for a roof that is not candidate for an IR Survey?
Currently there are three types of tests that are commonly used to identify the location of moisture in a commercial roof: Infrared, Nuclear, and Capacitance. Each test relies on specific physical or chemical properties related to water, and has advantages and disadvantages.
Infrared thermography is based on the thermal properties of a roof system; nuclear survey measures the amount of hydrogen in a specific location; capacitance detects changes in electrical properties.
For an overview of these tests, advantages and disadvantages, and how they may apply to your roof, please refer to Common Flat Roof Moisture Tests.
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Why is it necessary to perform an invasive moisture probe?
The three most common test methods for locating moisture in a flat roof are identifying specific physical or chemical properties that may be associated with moisture; however, other causes that are affected by these properties are also common on roofs (structural components, different thicknesses of insulation, presence of additional membrane material, etc.). For example, an area of the roof with an additional patch of asphalt, while completely free of moisture, is likely to have a warmer thermal pattern, a higher content of hydrogen, and a change in electrical properties.
The only conclusive test for moisture is to conduct an invasive probe and test with a moisture meter. Current industry standards, including those published by ASTM and Infraspection Institute, require suspected problems be confirmed as actual problems by means of an invasive probe.
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What standards apply to Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys?
Standards that apply to Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys are authored by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Roof Consultants Institute (RCI), and Infraspection Institute. They cover topics including procedures, applications, certification of personnel, equipment use and performance standards, and safety. Following these standards will help ensure quality results from your Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey. A list of standards followed by Jersey Infrared Consultants can be found at Standards.
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What should your report include?
According to industry standards, reports should be clear, easy-to-understand, and available in written and/or digital formats. The report will include the following sections:
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- Introduction covers the procedures followed and provides information to assist understanding the report including basic description of the concept behind performing the Survey.
- Thermographer’s Comments will discuss the areas surveyed, weather conditions leading to and during the survey, overview of findings of the roof sections, discussion, prognosis and recommendations.
- Roof Data Sheet provides a detailed description of the construction of the roof, core sample data, and general roof data including conditions at the time of the Survey, the number of problem areas located, overall square footage of the problem areas, and the percentage of the roof section with moisture damage.
- Problem Areas should be documented with a Thermogram and control photograph with a description that includes the following information:
Area Reference Number and Location
Ambient Temperature (°C and/or °F)
Type of Damage
Moisture Test Results
Area Size and Condition
- Roof Drawing should include general project information, key, scale, problem areas, location of all moisture probes (wet and dry).
Why should you use Jersey Infrared Consultants?
The high standards we set for service and reliability have earned us a reputation for excellence. All Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Surveys are performed by Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographers® using state-of-the-art equipment with direct traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Jersey Infrared Consultants’ safety compliance, background check, and drug screening programs are a part of our commitment to providing an unequaled level of client care and quality service. Our reports are clear, easy-to-understand, and comprehensive. They are delivered in a timely fashion in both written and electronic formats.
Our staff regularly conducts training classes, publishes technical articles, and participates in continuing education, enabling us to remain THE firm to hire for your Infrared Flat Roof Moisture Survey.