Infrared thermography
A thermal camera reveals where wet insulation holds heat after sunset, mapping moisture across the field.
ASTM C1153Roof inspection
Commercial roof inspection and moisture surveys
Know what is wrong before you spend
A documented condition assessment with non-destructive moisture mapping and adhesion testing, delivered as a written report you can act on.
Moisture surveys
Three ways to find trapped water
Before you spend on a roof, you should know what is actually wrong with it. A-1 surveys the roof with non-destructive instruments, verifies findings with confirmation cores, and delivers a written report that maps the problems and lays out your options, from repair to restoration to replacement.
Nuclear moisture survey
A nuclear gauge reads moisture through multiple layers, down to roughly eight inches, for layered or ballasted roofs.
ANSI/SPRI/IIBEC NT-1Capacitance / impedance
An impedance scanner detects moisture a few inches below the surface without cutting the roof.
ASTM D7954The deliverable
A written report you can act on
- Mapped areas of trapped moisture
- Adhesion pull-off results (ASTM D4541)
- Photographs with location context
- Confirmation core findings
- A recommended scope: repair, restore, or replace
When to inspect
The right time to call
- 01Before purchasing or leasing a building
- 02After a storm or wind event
- 03Before a roof warranty expires
- 04On an annual preventive schedule
Questions
Roof inspection questions
How do you find trapped moisture?
With non-destructive scans: infrared thermography (ASTM C1153), nuclear gauges (ANSI/SPRI/IIBEC NT-1), or electrical capacitance/impedance (ASTM D7954). Findings are verified with small confirmation cores.
Will testing damage the roof?
The surveys are non-destructive. Only small confirmation cores are taken to verify the scan, and those are patched before we leave.
What is in the report?
Mapped moisture areas, adhesion (pull-off) results per ASTM D4541, photos with context, and a recommended scope covering repair, restoration, and replacement.
Can you read moisture through several layers?
Yes. Nuclear gauges read through multiple layers, to roughly eight inches, which matters on roofs that have been recovered before.
When should I schedule an inspection?
Before a purchase, after a storm, before a warranty expires, or on an annual basis to catch problems while they are still small.
Is the report objective?
The report documents condition and the full range of options, including whether the roof should be repaired, restored, or replaced.
Can a commercial roof be inspected before purchasing a building?
Yes. Pre-purchase due diligence is a common reason to schedule an inspection. The same moisture survey and adhesion testing we use elsewhere feed into a written report you can use to evaluate the building before you close.
Keep exploring
Related services
- RSTCommercial Roof RestorationRecover a failing single-ply, metal, built-up, modified bitumen, or SPF roof in place with a coating or spray foam system, no tear-off required.
- SPFSpray Polyurethane Foam RoofingA single continuous membrane sprayed in place. It bonds to the deck, self-flashes every penetration, and finishes with zero seams to fail.
- COATRoof CoatingsElastomeric silicone and acrylic coating systems that restore reflectivity and waterproofing on existing roofs, extending service life without a tear-off.
Get a documented read on your roof
Non-destructive surveys, verified with cores, delivered as a written report. No guesswork before you commit to a scope.
41-year commercial roofing and insulation record