| Flat roof infrared scans were first used to detect | | | | viable solution for detection of premature roof failure |
| moisture and mold within flat and low slope roofs in the | | | | due to moisture intrusion |
| 1970's. Since then its usage has steadily increased with | | | | For many reasons, many building property managers |
| millions of square feet now inspected annually across | | | | and owners do not perform routine roof maintenance |
| the globe. | | | | of any kind. Often the concept of if it isn't broken then |
| Infrared can be applied to built up (BUR) and single ply | | | | there is no reason to fix it. So if the roof is not leaking, |
| roofing systems where either an insulating deck or a | | | | there is no motivation to perform predictive |
| layer of insulation is in direct & continuous contact | | | | maintenance inspections of any type. Most of the time |
| with the underside of the roofing membrane. | | | | infrared technology is, more often than not, used only |
| Thermography may be performed from aircraft or | | | | after a roof has started failure or as a quality |
| ground-based. With the proper equipment, and training, | | | | assurance tool for new installations and retrofits. |
| an infrared scan can detect and document problematic | | | | An average low slope or flat roof has a life |
| areas of moisture infiltration for all shapes and sizes of | | | | expectancy of only ten years before it begins to enter |
| roofing structures. | | | | stages of failure due to moisture intrusion. With an |
| Generally speaking a very sensitive and higher | | | | annual infrared detection scan roof life can be |
| resolution infrared camera is used for flat roof infrared | | | | extended upwards of three hundred percent. With an |
| inspections. With higher reflective surfaces often | | | | average roof replacement costing of upwards of |
| requiring short wave infrared detectors, and for even | | | | twenty dollar per square foot, an annual infrared |
| higher reflective surfaces infrared is sometimes not a | | | | inspection makes huge economic sense. |