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Extending the Life of a Low Slope Flat Roof

The old phrase of being “out of sight, out of mind” is especially true when it comes to a commercial roof. Most people don’t walk on the roof of a building every day, so it can be easy to forget about. This could be problematic after years of neglect, since a roof can be extremely expensive to repair or replace at a certain point.

Extending the life of a low slope flat roof isn’t too difficult as long as you take small steps to protect it. Using IR thermography to help identify any issues is critical in preventing roof leaks and other issues is beneficial. Here are some of the best ways you can help extend the life of your low slope flat roof.

Drainage System Maintenance

Since flat roofs don’t have much of a slope for water to run off of, you have to make sure the drainage systems are properly maintained. Standing water on a roof is a recipe for disaster, as it could cause the materials to break down and cause leaks. Most of the time, you don’t even need a thermal imaging inspection to identify when a drain outlet is clogged. Just pass by them and remove any debris regularly so they work properly when needed.

Address Issues Immediately

You don’t always have to be on the roof or use infrared detection technology to detect a roof problem. If you notice water stains on the ceiling or drips coming from a place in the building where it shouldn’t be dripping, it’s a sure sign of a roof leak. Don’t just ignore these signs. Many times, the issue can be easily fixed if detected early enough.

Re-Surface an Old Roof

If you have an older roof, you could consider re-surfacing it to extend the life. Low slope flat roofs aren’t as forgiving as steep slope roofs, so they may require a new surface after 10-15 years. Applying a new surface could extend the life another 10-15 years or more and reduce the amount of maintenance on it during that time as a result. If your roof is having constant leaking issues, this is one of the best options to consider for a long-term roof life.

Conduct Regular and Frequent Inspections

Above all else, conducting a regular thermal imaging inspection is the best way to extend the life of your roof. Many times, infrared detection technology can identify an issue in a low slope flat roof before it actually becomes a visible problem. This provides business owners with a more cost-effective way to repair the roof, since there’s usually no damage done. Conducting an IR thermography inspection a few times each year will greatly extend the life of your roof.

At Infrared Consulting Services, we’ve helped many businesses extend the life of their low slope flat roof by offering the best infrared testing in the industry. If it’s been a while since you’ve evaluated your roof, or if you want to put a maintenance plan together for it, be sure to contact us at any time.

Identify problems with thermographic imaging.

How Does Thermographic Imaging Work?

Many things in life either give heat off or absorb heat from their surroundings. The way this heat disperses can tell you a lot about what’s going on behind the scenes, especially in a commercial building. This is why thermographic imaging services are often used to determine the structural integrity of a building, as well as to identify issues that may be hidden to the naked eye. Understanding how a thermal imaging inspection works can help you determine if it’s the right step for you.

A Special Lens

If you look at the world around you, you won’t see heat sources. Everything is a specific color based on the way it bends the light. However, when you look at the same objects through the special lens of thermographic imaging equipment, everything tells a much different story. You will see varying shades of blue, green, red and yellow, along with a spectrum of colors in between. The blues and greens indicate cooler temperatures, while reds and yellows indicate the presence of heat. It is only through a special thermographic lens you can see these colors and interpret what they mean.

Find energy leaks with the help of thermographic imaging services.

Thermographic imaging services can help you find energy leaks.

How It Works

When you aim the thermographic imaging equipment at an object, the thermogram, or depiction of the temperature ranges, is measured and translated into electrical impulses. These electrical impulses are then sent to the signal-processing unit of the machine, which consists of a circuit board that contains a dedicated chip. This chip effectively translates the impulses and shares them on the unit’s display in a pattern of colors that is easy to read. This technology can be used in any condition, even in complete darkness, unlike night vision goggles that also use a form of infrared technology.

What Is It Used For?

Thermographic imaging services can be used for a number of applications, including identifying heating leaks in your business, locating water leaks, measuring the energy efficiency of a building and determining whether there are electrical or insulation issues present. You may wish to get a thermal imaging inspection as part of the typical inspection process associated with buying a business building. It can also be used to make repairs faster and more efficient.

Thermographic imaging is an easy way to measure the temperature of any given object, including entire homes and business buildings. This technology can provide a number of benefits and is useful in helping to find problems so they can be fixed before serious issues occur or to assess the integrity of a building before making a purchase. When you request thermographic imaging services, you can rest easy your business is in good condition at the end of the inspection and after any repairs have been made.

If you’re looking for a company to help with your thermographic imaging needs, contact us. We have the equipment and expertise required to complete the process quickly and efficiently.