SUB-SURFACE ROOF MOISTURE
DETECTION INSPECTION

Infrared imaging offers greater potential for detecting and accurately mapping subsurface roof moisture than other non-destructive testing methods.

Infrared surveys can assess every square inch of roof surface; it is usually performed at night by walking the roof. As the entire roof begins to cool after sunset, areas with trapped subsurface moisture will retain the sun's heat longer than normal dry areas. These abnormal areas are depicted as bright areas on the viewing screen of infrared imaging equipment.

Although the wet insulation usually shows up as a bright area on the viewing screen, not all abnormalities can be attributed to trapped moisture. Exhaust from roof-mounted fans, heaters suspended below the roof, slight differences in construction materials, and repairs on areas that have been re-roofed often resemble trapped moisture on the viewing screen. All materials interposed between the interior and exterior of a building, including the ceiling and air spaces, influence the thermal performance of the total roof construction.

Place your cursor over the image to view what our
technicans see during an inspection

When abnormal areas are located, their boundaries are marked with spray paint.The thermal pattern of the abnormal area is recorded photographically. This image is called a thermogram. Each area marked with spray paint is tested with a Delmhorst Moisture Detector to verify the presence of subsurface moisture. This also provides a quantitative indication of the moisture level.

The survey data is documented in a written report which includes thermograms and conventional photos of the wet areas, a quantitative indication of the moisture level, and a roof plan documenting the location of the wet areas.

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