- Licensed General Contractor · CSLB #1122392
- Commercial · Residential · Restoration
- Sacramento & Northern California
Wet insulation under a commercial roof membrane is invisible from the surface, until it becomes a leak, a failed deck or an unplanned replacement. Summit’s drone-based infrared surveys scan large roofs quickly, flag suspected moisture, and turn what we find into verified, documented information you can act on.
Surveys flown after sunset
Full-roof thermal + visual capture
Suspect areas confirmed in the field
Mapped findings & written report
To the eye, a membrane can look perfectly serviceable. Under infrared, areas where trapped moisture changes how the roof holds and releases heat can stand out clearly. Move the lens across the roof, or switch views.
After sunset, dry and wet roof areas cool at different rates. Thermal imaging records those surface temperature patterns so suspected wet insulation can be located, marked and mapped.
Every suspect area is verified in the field before it becomes a finding. The image tells us where to look, not what to conclude.
Illustration only. Real results depend on the roof system, weather and site conditions.
A drone survey isn’t just a flyover. It’s a planned process: the right conditions, the right equipment, careful interpretation, then confirmation on the roof.
Weather, recent rain, wind and the day’s solar loading are reviewed so the roof can show a usable thermal pattern after sunset.
The drone captures radiometric thermal imagery and high-resolution visual imagery across the entire roof, building a complete picture quickly.
Thermal patterns are reviewed against the roof’s construction, materials and features to separate likely moisture from false positives.
Suspect areas are confirmed with invasive testing such as core samples, then mapped and reported with photos and recommendations.
ASTM C1153 is the recognized standard practice for locating wet insulation in roofing systems using infrared imaging. Summit’s thermal roof surveys are designed around its methodology.
ASTM International
Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging.
Surveys are conducted after sunset, when temperature differences between wet and dry areas can be observed.
The practice sets expectations for infrared camera capability, resolution and field of view.
Meteorological conditions and roof construction are considered before and during the survey.
The practice addresses operating procedures and operator qualifications.
Infrared findings are confirmed with invasive test methods. The practice locates suspected wet insulation. It does not by itself identify the source of moisture or evaluate whether the roof is performing as waterproofing, so that requires separate evaluation.
ASTM C1153 is published by ASTM International. Summit Building Group is not affiliated with or certified by ASTM International; references describe the methodology our survey process follows.
Thermal images alone don’t fix roofs. Every survey is delivered as organized, verified information that supports a decision.
01
Suspected wet areas located and outlined on a plan of the roof.
02
High-resolution imagery of the roof surface, equipment and details.
03
Results of invasive testing at suspect areas to confirm moisture.
04
Ground-truth photos tied to each finding and location.
05
Repair, restoration or replacement considerations based on what was confirmed.
06
Findings stored as a baseline for future comparison in Roof Asset Management.
Drone thermal surveys support the moments that matter most for a commercial roof, from buying a building to protecting a solar investment.
Acquisition
Understand hidden moisture before you close.
Restore vs. replace
Target wet areas instead of guessing at the whole roof.
Solar
Document roof condition before and after installation.
Storm / leak
Map the extent of moisture after a leak or storm.
Ongoing
Repeatable surveys to track change over time.
Drone thermography is one of the most efficient ways to survey a large roof. Here’s what it does well, and where it needs a professional’s judgment.
Straight answers about how drone thermography works, and what to expect from a survey.
During the day the roof absorbs solar heat. After sunset, wet insulation releases heat differently than dry insulation, so moisture-related temperature patterns become visible to an infrared camera.
No. Thermal imaging locates suspected wet areas efficiently, and invasive testing such as core samples confirms them. Together, they make testing targeted instead of random.
ASTM C1153 is the standard practice for locating wet insulation in roofing systems using infrared imaging, covering both ground-based and aerial surveys. Summit’s thermal survey process follows its methodology.
Low-slope commercial roofs with insulation above the deck are typical candidates. Results vary with roof system, surface type and conditions. We’ll review your roof before recommending a survey.
Thermal imaging shows where moisture is suspected, not how it got there. Summit’s roof inspection evaluates likely entry points such as flashings, penetrations and seams as a separate step.
Surveys are led by Angelo Pacheco, HCI-C, a Haag Certified Inspector for commercial roofs, and findings are reviewed alongside the roof’s construction and history.
Summit Building Group serves Sacramento and the greater Northern California region.
Request a commercial roof assessment, and we’ll recommend whether a drone thermal survey is the right tool for your roof.
