Services / Infrared Thermal Inspection
Infrared Roof Inspection and Moisture Survey
Find the moisture before it finds your budget.
Most roofs fail from the inside out. Trapped moisture saturates insulation for years before it shows at the ceiling. Level 3 infrared thermography maps it all before a single contractor quote is requested.
The independent difference
A contractor scans to justify work. We scan to find the truth.
When a roofing contractor runs an infrared scan, they are looking for evidence to support the work they want to sell you. Heartland has no crew, no material supply chain, and no stake in what you decide to do after our report. Our only interest is an accurate finding.
That independence is why clients use our reports to push back on replacement bids, win insurance claims, and make capital decisions in front of boards and bond committees.
Level 3 thermographer: the highest certification tier. Interprets and validates, not just captures.
Nebraska's only firm holding Level 3 infrared thermography certification.
No crew, no material margin. Our recommendation has zero financial stake in what you buy.
Court-ready documentation. Our reports have been used in insurance claims and bond deliberations.
Serves commercial, industrial, institutional, and school-district portfolios.
The process
What actually happens, step by step.
Scheduling and site briefing
We review building records, prior repair history, and any known problem areas before arriving on site. Inspections are conducted under optimal thermal conditions: clear sky, minimal wind, and within the right temperature delta window.
Full-roof thermal scan
Every square foot is scanned with calibrated Level 3 equipment. Wet insulation retains heat longer than dry insulation, creating thermal signatures invisible to the naked eye. We map every anomaly.
Core sampling for validation
Thermal anomalies are validated with physical core samples where needed. This prevents false positives and gives you defensible, documented evidence of actual moisture saturation percentages.
Deliverable: the inspection report
A documented report with thermal imagery, annotated roof plan, moisture saturation by section, repair-versus-replace recommendation, and priority ranking. Built for a facilities committee, a bond vote, or a board room.
The proof
The inspection that saved a school district $11.3 million.
Lansing Public Schools was facing a full roof replacement recommendation. A thermal inspection found 93% of the membrane was still sound. The district repaired rather than replaced, and documented $11.3M in savings at a 580:1 return on the inspection fee.
Honest scope
What this service does not cover
Infrared thermography identifies moisture saturation and delamination. It does not replace a structural assessment, a mechanical inspection, or a code compliance review. We will tell you clearly if another discipline is needed, and we will not scope-creep into work outside our expertise.
FAQ
When is the best time to schedule an inspection?
Thermal inspections work best in autumn after the first significant warm-to-cool temperature shift, or in spring after the freeze-thaw cycle. The optimal window is two to three hours after sunset when the roof is releasing stored heat.
How long does an inspection take?
A single building of 20,000 to 50,000 sq ft typically takes two to four hours on-site. Larger portfolios are scheduled across multiple evenings.
What is a Level 3 certification and why does it matter?
Level 3 is the highest certification issued by the American Society for Nondestructive Testing. A Level 3 thermographer can interpret ambiguous readings, design inspection protocols, and validate the work of lower-level technicians. Most firms operating in roofing carry Level 1 or Level 2. Heartland Roofing Consultants is the only firm in Nebraska certified at Level 3.
Will I receive a report I can show to a board or insurer?
Yes. Every report includes annotated thermal imagery, a roof plan with moisture-area mapping, core sample results where taken, and a written repair-versus-replace recommendation. The format is designed for a non-technical audience and meets documentation standards for insurance and bond proceedings.
Managing a public facility? Take our free Nebraska Roof Assessment to understand your situation before committing capital.
Next step
Get an independent answer before you spend another dollar.
No sales pitch. No crew. No material margin. Just an honest assessment of what your building actually needs.