Drone roof inspections

How Drone Technology is Revolutionising the Roof Inspection Industry

In recent years, drone technology has made significant strides in a variety of industries, and the field of drone roof inspections for building surveys is no exception. Gone are the days of laboriously climbing onto roofs, standard kerbside with a camera, or using a pole-mounted system to inspect the roof manually – drones have revolutionised the way roof inspections are conducted, making the process faster, safer, more efficient, and providing 100% coverage.

What are the Benefits of Using Drones for Roof Inspections?

One of the major benefits of using drones for roof inspections is the enhanced safety factor. Traditional methods often require surveyors to physically climb a ladder or use access equipment, which can obviously be dangerous, especially for larger structures.

Drones, on the other hand, allow for inspections to be conducted by a qualified pilot from the ground, eliminating the risk from working at height.

In addition to increased safety, drones also allow for more thorough and accurate inspections. With high-resolution cameras and the ability to easily access hard-to-reach areas, drones can capture detailed images and footage of the entire roof, ensuring no defects or damage goes unnoticed. This level of precision is often not possible with physical inspections.

The efficiency of drone roof inspections is another major advantage. With the ability to cover large areas quickly and easily, drones can significantly reduce the time needed for roof inspections. This can save money on labour costs, potentially allowing for more frequent inspections to be conducted, and ensuring any issues are caught and addressed in a timely manner.

READ NEXT: How Much Does a Drone Roof Inspection Cost?

The environmental impact of drone roof inspections should also be noted. By eliminating the need for access equipment such as cherry pickers and scissor lifts the use of drones reduces the carbon footprint of the inspection process.

Another advantage of drones in roof inspections is their ability to capture comprehensive real-time data and video. This allows technicians to not only view the roof in its current state but also to track changes over time. This can be especially useful for monitoring the progress of repairs or for identifying potential issues before they become major problems.

Finally, drones are versatile and can be used for all roof types and structures. From flat roofs to pitched roofs, drones can easily access and inspect all areas, providing a comprehensive overview of the roof’s condition.

The Barriers to Using Drones for Roof Inspections

The use of drones is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and, as the technology has evolved so has legislation. There are certain limitations to how much distance a drone needs to stay from uninvolved people and structures. These distances can make drone roof inspections tricky to carry out, unless the drone pilot is using a drone that weighs less than 250g. These tiny drones have very similar photographic capabilities as larger drones, but have been ruled by the CAA as safe to use in built-up areas thanks to their low weight and reduced potential for injury should the worst happen. This allows professional drone operators to safely and legally carry out roof inspections in built-up areas.
 

How Drones are Shaping the Future of Roof Inspections

There are several other ways in which drone technology will likely impact roof and building inspections in the future.

One such way is through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms. These technologies can already analyze images and footage to identify and detect patterns and abnormalities that may not be immediately clear to the human eye. This has the potential to not only speed up the inspection process but to also ensure that no details are missed.

Although this technology is not currently widely used, we expect to see software that harnesses the power of AI applied to drone roof inspections in the very near future.

Overall, it’s clear that drone technology is transforming the roof inspection industry, offering numerous benefits that simply cannot be achieved through traditional methods. As the use of drones has grown and evolved, they have become the preferred choice for conducting roof inspections, by residential customers, facilities managers, and building surveyors.

If you would like a quote for a drone roof inspection or to find out more about the process please contact us.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Drone Coverage Table

Drone Coverage Table