Verifying Moisture Found with IR Scan

[Thomas W. Schlotter]

I would be interested to know what everyone is using to verify moisture found on low-slope roofs using an IR scan. Moisture meter, nuclear, or capacitance meter? Preferences when used on BUR, ballast, or rubber roofs?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by tschlotter

I would be interested to know what everyone is using to verify moisture found on low-slope roofs using an IR scan. Moisture meter, nuclear, or capacitance meter? Preferences when used on BUR, ballast, or rubber roofs?

Infraspection's Standards for Insulated Roofs here http://www.infraspection.com/useful_guidelines.html

state that verification must be made by invasive test methods meaning cores or cores and moisture meter probes.

[Jim Seffrin]

Originally Posted by tschlotter

I would be interested to know what everyone is using to verify moisture found on low-slope roofs using an IR scan. Moisture meter, nuclear, or capacitance meter? Preferences when used on BUR, ballast, or rubber roofs?

Dear Tom:

When performing an infrared inspection of low slope roofs, it is imperative to verify thermal data with destructive testing. While infrared imagers can detect temperature changes associated with missing and damaged insulation, they cannot ascertain the cause of the thermal image.

Core sampling or invasive moisture meter readings are the only known methodologies for accurately determining moisture content. Coupling invasive verification with thermal imaging not only improves accuracy of the inspection but also is required by ASTM Standard C1153 and the Infraspection Institute Standard for Infrared Inspection of Insulated Roofs.

Under both of these standards cross verifying infrared data with other non-destructive techniques such as nuclear and capacitance instruments may be used to compliment, but not replace, invasive testing.

Hope this helps.

[atanner]

JIM; I appreciate your input on 'low slope' roofs. I have a client who has a 1/12 pitch torch down rubber membrane. My scan showed a failed seam which resulted in a core sample to confirm the intrusion was a 2 ft diameter leak.
The roofer who inspected wanted $12,000 to rip and replace (r&r).
The manufacture spec patch saved approximately $11,000. A moisture meter and core tool are part of my thermal package.