Drones and thermal imaging: The future of roof inspections

By Jesse Sanchez.

Technology is reshaping the way roofing professionals detect leaks and assess structural integrity.

In this AskARoofer Podcast episode, host Megan Ellsworth explored the cutting-edge advancements in roofing inspections with industry experts John Kiesel and Ryan Resides from Division 7 Roofing. The discussion centered on the integration of drones and thermal imaging technology in roof inspections — a game-changing innovation that is enhancing accuracy, safety and efficiency in the field.

“Thermal imagery is better known as infrared or IR scans,” explained Ryan. “It has a lot of valuable information when we are looking for heat signatures. We have developed tools that pick up this heat energy or radiation and essentially translate it into a visual version that our minds can understand.”

Traditionally, roof inspections required professionals to climb onto buildings, often in precarious conditions, to manually assess damage. With the advent of thermal imaging drones, this process has become significantly safer and more effective. “Before the world of drones, it always involved somebody climbing a ladder, getting up on that roof — oftentimes during dusk or even in the dark — and walking around to capture the symmetry,” Ryan noted. “The beautiful part about putting an infrared payload onto a drone is that the human now gets to stay on the ground and simply hold the controller.”

Thermal imaging drones are particularly useful for detecting hidden roofing issues that would otherwise go unnoticed. One of the biggest problems that infrared scanning can reveal is “moisture underneath the roof surface,” John stated. “You can’t detect air leaks that are coming through the interior of the building up through the structural deck and gaps in the insulation just by looking.”  

One of the key advantages of using thermal imaging is the ability to pinpoint inefficiencies that contribute to higher energy costs. “When insulating materials get wet, they lose their insulating value,” Ryan explained. “What is supposed to be something that resists thermal change is now actually turning into a conductor of that change.” This means that property owners may be unknowingly losing energy through compromised insulation, resulting in increased heating and cooling expenses.

Beyond energy efficiency, thermal imaging also plays a crucial role in preventing costly repairs and potential hazards. “We’ve seen mechanical units, HVAC equipment, that had fan motors going bad,” John shared. “Detecting this high heat, we were able to draw the attention to the property manager that this thing could cause a fire.”

As property owners and managers continue to seek proactive solutions for maintaining their buildings, the use of drone-based thermal imaging inspections is expected to grow. Not only does this technology improve safety for inspectors, but it also provides property owners with a cost-effective way to assess their roofs with greater precision.

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about thermal imaging and how it can benefit your property!