Benefits of IR Thermal Drone Inspection
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Drones are becoming a gamechanger in the roofing industry. With the advancement of technology, there are capabilities to perform infrared (IR) thermography roof inspections without climbing a ladder or even stepping foot on a roof. Inspecting rooftop elements include the top membrane, flashings, metal edges, gutters, skylights and more.
IR thermal drones can see the moisture and heat under the current roof membrane and around any rooftop equipment or objects. With an overlook of the entire roof, the detection of abnormal temperatures will be visible through digital processing even though it is not visible to the naked eye. Drones also allow the inspector to quickly access to areas for inspection that otherwise may take expensive equipment such as a crane or man lifts which also would be a delay in time.
Roofing contractors are now offering IR Thermography Roof Inspections at affordable rates that are not only beneficial for the roofing contractor, but it also identifies the integrity of roof providing the customer more knowledge on their current roof system. Here are some benefits of the IR Thermal Drone Roof Inspection:
Accurate Assessments
Thermal imagery allows you to understand the condition of your roof and rooftop equipment. The IR Thermal Drone can easily detect anomalies and identify water damage, heat leakage, or other potential problems. If left untreated, many rooftop problems can get worse and more costly, causing leaks, mold, and rot leading to large capital expenditures. Drones can fly much closer to the roof for high-resolution thermography, and most drones in the market have the capabilities to zoom in without compromising the resolution. They can also access areas that are harder for a roof inspector to reach. This means they can produce more valuable data for reports and repairs leading to significant savings with the roofing contractor being able to offer different types of roofing solutions.
Prioritize Safety
Traditional roof inspections are dangerous. They often lead to falls from climbing tall ladders and roofs. With thermal drone inspections, you can avoid these risks. Safety is a key component in the roofing industry, and drones can reduce or eliminate the risk of any injuries giving roof inspectors and customers peace of mind. For a more efficient roof thermal scan, footage is captured in the evening hours. Therefore, a certified FAA Pilot can capture the necessary images from a safe location at all hours.
Cost and Time Saving
Performing roof inspections with drones is a faster, safer, and more time-efficient way to gather high quality and valuable data for the roofing contractor and for property owners. An average roof inspection can take hours, or days, depending on the square footage of the roof and most require multiple roof estimators. Drones can cover large areas quickly and easily with one certified FAA Pilot, which means that IR Thermal Drones can save time and money.
Also, most roofs come with a warranty and require routine annual inspections and maintenance. Depending on the warranty, they will cover anything from roof leaks to high wind and hail damage to roof punctures. IR Thermal Drone inspections can provide the information needed by the manufacturer and roofing contractor to help you get the most out of your warranty.
In conclusion, by making a small investment in an IR Thermal Drone Inspection on your property, it can lead to preventing larger capital expenditures in the future. Being proactive with a drone inspection may offer building owners significate savings by catching small issues that can be repaired before becoming a larger roof system failure. With a handful of roofing contractors offering this service, it allows you to “one stop shop” from a complete roof assessment capturing infrared thermal imaging by a FAA Certified Pilot to accomplishing your roofing project within your budget.