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DryGrid is an Active Monitoring System by Default
Not all roofs are built the same and not all can afford to wait.
Inverted Roofs (e.g. plaza decks, vegetated systems) are designed to get wet. Their plastic insulation can temporarily hold moisture, and overburden layers let water escape to drains. Passive leak detection is acceptable here: if a breach occurs, water travels slowly through the assembly, giving SMT technicians time to locate and diagnose the issue during a scheduled scan.
Conventional Roofs are different. These systems are not designed to be wet. Moisture doesn't just sit — it spreads. The insulation is often fibrous (like mineral wool), which absorbs and bleeds water throughout the assembly.
If a leak occurs, it can compromise the insulation and membrane quickly, demanding immediate action to avoid full tear-up and costly remediation.
That’s why DryGrid is an Active by default.
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Passive systems require a technician to visit the site — but by the time that happens, damage has likely spread.
Active systems continuously monitor for moisture buildup and send alerts in real-time. They’re not significantly more expensive than Passive systems — and far cheaper than replacing a waterlogged roof.
DryGrid is here to protect roofs that can't afford to fail silently.
Benefits of using an Active Monitoring System
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Enables early issue detection and proactive maintenance planning
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Helps prolong the useful life of the roof
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Drastically reduces repair costs and saves time by swiftly locating leaks
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Get the most of out of your roof warrenty
Download Related PDFs
DryGrid Leak Detection System Overview
DryGrid 1 Page Summary
DryGrid A+E Spec
How does DryGrid work
DryGrid is a resistance-based moisture detection system designed for conventional roof assemblies. It identifies the presence of water trapped beneath the waterproof membrane—an early warning system before leaks turn into costly damage.
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At the core of DryGrid is a network of Moisture Detection Strips (MDS) installed below the insulation layer. These strips are triggered when moisture accumulates, alerting you before water infiltrates your interior spaces.
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We offer two layout strategies depending on building type, budget, and risk profile:
Option A: Extensive Grid Layouts
This approach covers the entire roof area with MDS tape, forming a dense sensor matrix beneath the membrane.
Benefits:
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Provides complete coverage, identifying even the smallest leaks anywhere on the roof.
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Enables precise location tracking of moisture paths and entry points.
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Ideal for new construction, critical infrastructure, or high-value assets.
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Especially suited for long-term asset owners who want the highest level of protection.
Option B: Target on Penetrations and Perimeter of Building
This cost-effective strategy places sensors only at high-risk areas: roof penetrations, mechanical curbs, drains, and perimeter flashing.
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Benefits:
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Covers where leaks most commonly occur.
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Reduces installation cost while still catching critical early warnings.
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Ideal for retrofit projects, budget-sensitive clients, or as a phased system.
Cross Section of Conventional Roof
Augmented Reality
FutureCast Active enables cutting edge data visualisation - allowing maintenance teams to "see through" the membrane in real time, as the moisture sensors in the roof assembly show where moisture has accumulated. This aids repair efforts and cuts down on costly removal of the upper layers of the assembly.
Virtual Reality
The same roof performance data can be viewed in Virtual Reality right from your desktop, so you can keep track of large and remote sites without leaving the office.
See Live Analytics in your Pocket
Access real-time and historical roof performance data anytime with SMT Analytics. Monitor sensor output, verify system function, and review construction-phase photos—an invaluable resource for leak investigation and repair.​​
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SMT engineers are on hand to assist you with email or phone support if required.
