Elevates’s consulting services were requested to assist with imaging three (3) roof sections of a new resort and entertainment center that was undergoing construction. The Client requested thermal imaging be conducted with an infrared (IR) camera to document potential roof temperature variations that could indicate possible moisture intrusion. Variations would then be targeted to physical investigation.
Elevate used a small unoccupied aerial system (sUAS or “drone”) to collect color (red, green, blue, i.e. “RGB”) ortho-photographic imaging of the subject roof sections during day-light conditions. This imaging was conducted to provide a visual record of the site that could be used to help the Client interpret the IR image results. Thermal imaging was done during the evening after sunset to reduce the interference from solar reflections and maximize variation associated with possible moisture intrusion of the roofs. Individual images were combined to produce an complete mosaic of each of the buildings.
Thermal variations that could indicate potential moisture intrusion were noted and reported to the Client in a letter report with associated figures. In addition, high-resolution images were transferred to the Client via digital file transfer. Elevate was notified a few weeks later that the targeted physical guided by our data did indicate moisture intrusion and mitigation was ongoing.
While not a direct measure of moisture intrusion remote sensing can be used to target other investigations to quantify this or other conditions. The use of remote sensing can save time and money overall on a project by limiting the number of physical, typically destructive, tests needed to determine or confirm a condition. Targeting of potential physical sample sites can increase the insight of these efforts and lead to a more successful project.