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John Fowler
License # 450003052
Licensed Home Inspector
Certified Thermographer
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Commercial Infrared Services
Thermal energy travels at the speed of light in all directions. An infrared camera detects this (heat) energy and converts it into pictures or thermographs of heat. Utilizing infrared thermographic technology is a precise, noninvasive method of detecting moisture on a flat roof and hot spots in electrical systems.
ROOF SCANS
Infrared scans of a roof can be of tremendous benefit at all stages of a roof’s life. Knowing if and where subsurface moisture exists is essential to proper roof maintenance and insuring the longevity of the roof. The roof structure is one of the most complex and costly parts of a building. While leaks themselves can be the owner’s biggest headache, any water introduced into the roof structure quickly results in other problems that are often more destructive and costly. An infrared scan can precisely locate areas of moisture in roofing insulation.
During a bright sunny day the sun heats up the roof system. After the sunset, the entire roof begins to cool down, but not all at the same rate. The wet insulation, having stored more of the sun’s energy in its greater mass, will stay warm after the dry areas have cooled down. The infrared imager identifies these wet areas as warm areas. The outline of the wet area is spray painted and the owner clearly has the problem areas identified.
DID YOU KNOW?
The National Roofing Contractors Association estimates that 40% of all new roofs develop serious problems within 1 year of installation. They estimate that the source of the problems is due to:
- 50% - poor workmanship
- 20% - poor design
- 10% - material failures
- 15% - poor maintenance
- Excessive energy consumption due to reduced insulating value of wet insulation.
- Losses due to water leakage into the building, resulting in problems ranging from minor nuisances to catastrophic and life-threatening situations. Leaking roofs can cause total building outages when water invades electrical switch gear and critical production equipment.
- Damage to the roof membrane and the structural roof components caused by trapped moisture in the roof assembly.
How can this be accomplished? Maintain the roof! Begin your roof maintenance program by having Fowler Infrared Services scan your roof system.
Benefits of a Roof Maintenance Program
- Protect Warranties
- Early Detection
- Reduce Repair Costs
- Save Money
- Find the source of leaks
- Prolong Roof Life
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When should you conduct an infrared roof moisture inspection?
Disposal costs will be reduced because it will probably be possible to salvage some of the dry insulation. Leaving it in place and simply adding a new membrane can easily save $5 per square foot or more. For each year you can extend the life of a million dollar roof, 100,000-200,000 square feet, past the seven year average, you are putting nearly $150,000 in the bank. |
HOW DOES IT WORK
During a bright sunny day the sun heats up the roof system. After the sunset, the entire roof begins to
cool down, but not all at the same rate.
The wet insulation, having stored more of the sun's energy in its greater mass, will stay warm after the dry areas have cooled down. The infrared imager identifies these wet areas as warm areas. The outline of the wet area is spray painted and the owner clearly has the problem areas identified.
BENEFITS
- Protect Warranties
- Early Detection Reduce Repair Costs
- Find the source of leaks
- Save Energy
- Save Money
- Prolong Roof Life
DID YOU KNOW
The losses from premature roof failure run into billions of dollars every year. The primary costs associated with roof failures include the following:
EQUIPMENT
REPORTS AVAILABLE
FIND OUT WITH AN INFRARED ROOF MOISTURE SURVEY CALL 618-925-0085 FOR MORE INFORMATION |