- Totally get what you mean about tech being a double-edged sword.
- I've had those thermal scans flag stuff that was just leftover moisture from a morning dew—looked dramatic on the report, but nothing to worry about.
- Still, I'd rather have too much info than miss something important.
- Curious—anyone ever had a scan miss an actual leak? Or is it usually just false alarms?
- Sometimes I wonder if we're relying on gadgets a bit too much and not enough on just crawling around up there...
That’s a good point about relying on gadgets versus just getting up there and looking. I’ve seen thermal scans miss small leaks, especially if it’s a sunny day and the roof’s already warm—sometimes the temp difference just isn’t enough to show up. What I usually do is use the scan as a first step, then follow up with a hands-on check, especially around tricky spots like skylights or vents. Anyone else mix tech with old-school inspection? I’m curious how folks balance the two, especially with green roofs where moisture can be normal in some layers...
I’ve noticed the same thing with thermal scans—on a hot day, my asphalt shingles just read as one big warm patch, so I end up crawling around anyway. For green roofs, it gets even trickier since a little moisture is expected, like you said. Has anyone figured out a good way to tell the difference between normal dampness in the soil layers and an actual leak? I’m always worried I’ll miss something subtle under all that vegetation.
For green roofs, it gets even trickier since a little moisture is expected, like you said. Has anyone figured out a good way to tell the difference between normal dampness in the soil layers and an actual leak?
Honestly, I’m not convinced there’s a foolproof way with just thermal scans. I’ve tried moisture meters and even those can be hit or miss under thick sedum. Sometimes, just checking the ceiling below for new stains or musty smells is more reliable than any gadget. It’s not high-tech, but it’s saved me from chasing phantom leaks more than once.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had some luck with thermal scans—at least when the weather cooperates. If you catch it right after a rain and there’s a temp difference, sometimes you can spot a weird cold patch that lines up with a leak. Not perfect, but it’s helped me narrow things down before tearing up layers. Still, nothing beats that musty smell test... just wish my nose was more reliable in allergy season.
