The Standards of practice, prepared by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, don’t require roof inspectors to walk on the roof they’re inspecting. They protect you from the dangers of roof inspection. If the roof is faulty, there can be serious injuries.
With the advancement of technology reaching new heights, infrared drone roof inspection is becoming a leading practice in roofing, reducing both potential injuries and cutting inspection time by a significant amount. Infrared drone inspections can also detect faults more accurately, revealing potential disasters before they even happen.
In this article, we detail everything regarding thermal drone roof inspections and our process of inspecting roofs using a drone of this kind.
Why Infrared Drone Inspections are Important?
Drone-led roof inspections are a relatively new and rare practice that can make anyone suspicious. It is the safest roof inspection practice and has many benefits for the customer and the roof inspector. In the spirit of this guide, we’ll explore some pros and cons of drone-led infrared roof inspections.
Pros of Drone Inspections
The biggest advantage of drone-led inspections is the increased safety for the worker. This is a double benefit, as it provides more accurate data precisely because it does not involve people. The drone can be maneuvered into places a human might not reach, or at least not without hurting themselves or damaging something as they do so.
These kinds of inspections cost less and are more efficient since no additional equipment needs to be installed, like ladders and scaffolding. They also make room for more frequent roof inspections for this same reason, allowing you to maintain your roof’s health in both cheap and fast ways. More inspections of this kind then allow detecting issues before they become full-fledged problems, saving you valuable time and money in the long run.
Cons of Drone Inspections
Most downsides include the weather conditions in which the infrared drone inspection is carried out. A good example is rain. Readings can be ambiguous as the accumulated rainwater makes it harder to detect any potential leaks or cracks in the roofing.
The favorable weather conditions for infrared drone inspections come far and few in between. Winter is the ideal time to use thermal cameras for home inspections because of the large discrepancy between indoor and outdoor heat. This makes it easy to detect cracks, leaks, and shrinkage of tiles.
Warmer months are not exempt from conducting these kinds of inspections. A bit more nuance is needed instead, like waiting for a previously moisturized roof to cool during the evening and observing the patterns while using the thermal camera. This takes a bit more time than inspecting during the colder parts of the year, but it is just as viable.
On-land Inspection and Preparation
Any roof inspection, whether done by drone or not, starts from the surface. A team of professionals arrives on the scene and scouts for any potential hazards. They also get an idea of the drone’s flight path and how to steer it.
Another part of the preparation process is ensuring the roof is free from debris, like leaves or branches. Remove them before the infrared screening process because they may obscure and even hide potential faults. The best time to do a roof inspection using an infrared drone is winter. Thermal cameras measure the relative difference in heat loss and how that shows up on the footage.
Drone Deployment
Once the initial preparations have been completed and the drone flight path has been established, the infrared drone is deployed into the air. Only trained and FAA-licensed pilots can operate drones in public spaces. Check the credentials of the inspectors before allowing them to fly an unmanned craft above your property. This also means you shouldn’t do this operation by yourself.
Data Analysis
The footage recording lasts for about an hour or two, followed by sending it to be processed through a special software. Once analyzed, inspectors take notes of any anomalies that might appear in the footage. For example, a crack in the roof might appear as a darker, redder spot. This indicates heat is escaping from that very same spot, and potential water ingress may occur if left unchecked.
The notes taken during this analysis are put into a report, where every issue that may have been noted is elaborated on, offering possible solutions. The footage is also edited for the client’s clarity, along with commentary made by the inspector. This aims to give the client as much information as possible to help them decide on their next steps.
Reporting and Final Steps
If the infrared drone roof inspection finds no anomalies or problems, then our work stops there, and the client can enjoy a problem-free rooftop. If we do find any issues, use our consultation services to plan how to fix them, determine the cost, and accept advice on insurance.
The Chandler Companies is pretty versatile when it comes to its team of construction professionals. We are always ready to offer assistance regarding your roofing-related enigmas. Contact us today and receive a free quote today!
Once in the air, the drone not only captures infrared footage but visuals as well. The pilot maneuvers the drone through the entire roofing area, steering it to look at anything they find off or suspicious. This is how they’re essentially performing a full roof inspection. The thermal camera is just a bonus, offering a more detailed and thorough analysis that a regular inspection might not provide.