Roof Inspections with An Aerial Drone
Are aerial drone inspections of roofs really effective?
1. Visual Inspection for Damage Assessment:
Aerial drones capture high-resolution images and videos of roofs, allowing inspectors to visually assess the condition of roofing materials. This includes identifying damage such as missing shingles, cracks, leaks, or other issues that may not be easily visible from the ground.
2. Inspection of Hard-to-Reach Areas
Roofs often have regions that are challenging to physically access, such as steep angles, heights, or tight spaces. With a drone video, unsafe regions can be conveniently and rapidly inspected, capturing useful information that supports informed decision-making.
3. Roof Material and System Evaluation:
Aerial drones provide a detailed view of different roof materials, structures, and systems. This includes inspecting flat roofs, pitched roofs, metal roofs, membrane systems, and more. The information collected helps in assessing the type of roofing and its current condition.
4. Gutter and Drain Inspection:
Drones can inspect gutters, drains, and downspouts to ensure proper water drainage from the roof. Accumulation of debris or blockages can lead to water damage, so identifying and addressing these issues through drone inspections helps prevent potential water-related problems.
5. Documentation of Roof Features:
Aerial drone inspections document various features of the roof, such as vents, chimneys, skylights, and HVAC systems. This documentation aids in understanding the overall layout and potential areas of concern. It also assists in planning maintenance or repairs more effectively.
6. Safety and Reduced Risk:
Using drones for roof inspections reduces the need for personnel to physically climb onto roofs, minimizing the associated safety risks. This is especially beneficial for inspecting roofs with steep slopes or in hazardous conditions, ensuring the safety of inspection teams.
7. Regular and Preventive Inspections:
Aerial drones facilitate regular and preventive roof inspections. Drone video offers high resolution close-up images of structures on your roof, allowing informed decision-making. By implementing routine drone assessments, property owners can detect issues early, allowing for timely maintenance and preventing minor problems from developing into major and costly repairs.
8. Wind and Storm Damage Assessment:
Following severe weather events, drones can quickly assess roofs for storm or wind damage. This enables property owners, insurers, and repair teams to evaluate the extent of the damage and prioritize necessary repairs promptly.
9. Documentation for Insurance Claims:
Aerial drone inspections provide detailed visual documentation that can be crucial for insurance claims. High-quality images and videos captured by drones serve as evidence of the roof’s condition before and after an event, facilitating smoother insurance claim processes.
10. Customizable Inspection Plans:
Aerial drones allow for customizable inspection plans. Operators can program flight paths and capture specific areas of interest, ensuring that inspections are tailored to the unique characteristics of each roof.
11. Data Analysis and Reporting:
Regularly scheduled quarterly, bi-annual or annual inspections of commercial roofs, both flat and sloping, are highly recommended. If you don’t already have a preventive maintenance program, drone videos can be a critical component of a comprehensive report on the health of your roof.
There is a long list of items that need to be assessed to evaluate the condition of your roof, including inspection for weathering, damage, cracking, buckling, missing components, and corrosion. Drone videos provide vital visual data to assess flashing, joints, metal work, projections such as HVAC equipment, and the presence of debris.
Including data from drone inspections leads to cost savings, promotes safety by avoiding unnecessary manual inspection, and allows proactive attention to potential problems and maintenance issues. So, if you’re looking to prolong the lifespan of your roof, schedule a drone inspection of your roof with us.