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Holmes & Watson
Aerial radiometric thermal infrared scan of a commercial flat roof showing trapped moisture saturation as warm anomalies during the evening cooling cycle
Core Service

Thermal Drone Roof Inspection

Detect trapped moisture, compromised insulation, and structural anomalies before they fail. Defensible thermal roof data for NC commercial property managers.

Overview

Commercial flat roofs are notorious for hiding moisture beneath the membrane. Traditional core sampling is destructive, slow, and only tells you about the spots you cut. Holmes and Watson scans the entire roof surface with a radiometric thermal sensor during the evening cooling cycle, when wet insulation holds heat longer than dry material and lights up as a clear thermal anomaly. The result is a complete moisture map of the roof — not a guess based on three core samples.

Why Choose Drone Thermal Roof Inspections

Drone thermal roof inspection is the only practical way to scan an entire commercial roof for moisture without core sampling. A 250,000 sq ft roof that takes a foot crew with a handheld thermal camera three nights to cover takes a drone team a single evening — with better contrast, repeatable flight paths, and a defensible orthomosaic the building owner can keep on file for capital planning.

When to use it: Use thermal roof inspection annually for commercial portfolios, after any major weather event, before major roof capital decisions, before acquisition due diligence, and when you suspect moisture but visual inspection isn't conclusive.

What We Inspect

  • EPDM, TPO, PVC, and Built-Up Roofing (BUR)
  • Modified bitumen and metal roof systems
  • Insulation saturation and R-value degradation
  • HVAC envelope integration and ductwork
  • Flashing, parapets, and drainage systems
  • Skylight and penetration sealing

Our Process

1

Flight Planning

We map the roof, secure FAA airspace authorization (LAANC), and confirm site access and safety with the property manager.

2

Data Acquisition

Flights are conducted post-sunset to capture optimal thermal contrast as the roof cools and wet insulation retains heat.

3

Analysis

Certified thermographers review the radiometric data, confirm anomalies against visual imagery, and rule out false positives from HVAC heat or solar reflection.

4

Reporting

Delivery of an interactive orthomosaic map, annotated PDF report, paired RGB/thermal imagery, and raw radiometric data files.

Deliverables

High-resolution thermal orthomosaic, RGB overview map, annotated PDF report detailing anomaly locations and approximate area, paired side-by-side imagery, and raw radiometric data export.

Cost Factors

  • Total roof square footage and number of buildings on site
  • Airspace requirements (controlled airspace authorizations add coordination time)
  • Site access, safety, and any required escort
  • One-off survey vs. recurring annual program (recurring is significantly cheaper per visit)
  • Reporting depth — basic orthomosaic vs. engineered capital-plan integration

Frequently Asked Questions

A typical 100,000-300,000 sq ft commercial roof is captured in a single evening flight window, usually 1-2 hours of flight time. Larger roofs (500K-1M sq ft) are completed in one extended flight or two consecutive evenings. Reporting is delivered within a few business days.

Request Thermal Roof Inspections

Get a detailed proposal and flight plan for your specific asset.

Get a Quote (540) 632-3458

Trust Signals

  • • FAA Part 107 Certified Pilots
  • • NACHI Thermography Certified
  • • Licensed NC Building Class Contractors
  • • 20+ Active Industry Certifications
  • • Fully Insured for Commercial Operations