Houston Inspector Explains Thermal Imaging of Commercial Roof Inspection Report

[@GordonGFox]

Thermal / solar loading from the sun during the day heats up the roof system, during the evening the roof cools, however the wet insulation board below the roof system has a higher thermal mass and cools slower than the dry insulation board, thereby showing hotter I believe the final picture did not have a thermal image attached to it

[@theartofplumbing]

Good Job Gorden. love the video. I run into costumers all the time that can use your service. I had a costumer just the other day that could find out which way there main water service was going at what it was and wasn't picking up. 2" water main rule area. They really needed help bad. of cause to much to dig up and search but your cam would be great here.

[@RoofingFacts]

Area 1, 5 and 13 is more likely a dirt deposit. It is interesting how the color or paint changes the thermal reading so much if that paint is on top but the heat is trapped below the membrane...

[@OhioClaimsAdjuster]

Enjoyed your video. Was there any actual visible breach in the membrane caused by the storm, other than the one?

[@StudioAGK]

Is the spray paint visible in the infrared images due to lower emissivity, or are there other factors in play?

[@AerialApertureDPS]

I have an interest in doing this with my drone in arizona. Do you know of any companies I can contact to provide this service. I do have a level 1 therm cert.

[@wendymar007]

Why were the moisture signatures showing hot instead of cool? In the final photograph, I saw no anomoly.

[@RoofingFacts]

Because water has a different thermal capacitance, meaning it changes temperature slower than it's surroundings. So when exposed to UV the roof heats up, say to 100 degrees for example. However when the sun goes away, the roof cools down whereas the water retains the temperature for longer periods of time. What will result is that the roof may cool down to 60 degrees but the moisture may still be at 90-95. There is issues with this, however. As when water collects on the roof, it also leaves behind dirt. Studies have found that a black membrane will heat up to twice as much as a white roof. So say for example we have a white TPO roof on that 100 degree day. The white portions will be between 90-110 degrees. If a pond occurs on the roof collecting dirt, but not resulting in moisture under the membrane, that area will heat up more, to as much as 160-200 degrees depending on it's size, exposure to UV, etc. So even when there is NO PRESENCE OF WATER IN ANY WAY, that pond still heats up. Now Your level 1 Thermographers are looking for heat patterns, and misidentify a darker portion of roof as wet. Take for example the very first photo when you open the video. The heat pattern is eerily similar to the shape of the dirt deposit. And where the dirt had spray-paint applied that was a brighter color AND a more reflective paint (think glossy vs. eggshell in your paint departments), you can clearly make it out in the image.

[@MrCharlotteInspector]

THE FOXXXXX !!!!!!! Great Video Gordon

[@MrEinstein1999]

I recently earned my Level 1 certification and am new to thermography. I have been having trouble with my visual images on roof surveys. They are way too dark. Do you utilize extra work lights or handheld torch lights to illuminate an area? The LED flash on my IR camera works only for short distances of 5-10 feet tops.

[@bradmcclain]

What did you find out?

[@MrEinstein1999]

Apparently, I will have to use my digital camera for visual photos. The IR camera flash does not provide enough light beyond 5-10 feet. That is in lieu of hauling extra lighting up the ladder to the rooftop.

[@syiar89]

what camera do you use?

[@brandongranados5569]

Did you get a license to use that machine?