Drone Surveys

At Surveyor Now ltd we bring cutting-edge technology to the forefront of building surveys. Utilising advanced drones, we offer comprehensive and detailed inspections of roofs, chimneys, and other hard-to-reach areas, ensuring the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and data quality. All our surveyors are trained and have drone pilot lisences.

We use drones as a part of our services on all surveys undertaken where weather conditions and flight regulations permit, allowing us to provide a reliable and effective solution for your inspection needs. Whether you are maintaining residential properties, commercial buildings, or historical structures, our drones deliver unparalleled access and insight, transforming the way inspections are conducted.

Why use drones?

Drones are exceptionally helpful for building surveyors when inspecting roofs and chimneys due to several key advantages they offer:

1. Safety

Reduced Risk: Drones eliminate the need for surveyors to physically access dangerous or hard-to-reach areas, such as high or steep roofs and tall chimneys, significantly reducing the risk of falls and other accidents.
Remote Access: Surveyors can safely inspect potentially unstable structures or hazardous environments from the ground.

2. Efficiency

Time Savings: Drones can cover large roof areas and multiple chimneys quickly, dramatically reducing the time required for inspections compared to traditional methods involving ladders, scaffolding, or lifts.
Rapid Deployment: Drones can be quickly set up and launched, allowing for faster initiation of inspections without extensive preparation.

3. Cost-Effectiveness

Lower Equipment Costs: Using drones negates the need for expensive equipment like scaffolding, lifts, or cranes.
Reduced Labor Costs: Fewer personnel are needed, as a single drone operator can conduct extensive inspections that would otherwise require multiple workers.

4. High-Quality Data

High-Resolution Imagery: Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras that provide detailed images and videos, enabling surveyors to identify small defects such as cracks, loose tiles, and signs of wear and tear.
Advanced Sensors: Drones can be equipped with various sensors (e.g., thermal cameras, LiDAR) to detect issues like heat loss, water ingress, and structural deformations that are not visible to the naked eye.

5. Accessibility

Difficult-to-Reach Areas: Drones can easily access and inspect areas that are challenging for humans to reach, such as the tops of tall chimneys, complex roof structures, and tight corners.
Versatility: Drones can navigate around obstacles and complex architectural features, providing comprehensive coverage of the inspection area.

6. Real-Time Data and Reporting

Immediate Insights: Drones transmit data and visuals in real-time, allowing surveyors to assess conditions and make decisions immediately during the flight.
Detailed Documentation: The collected data can be stored, analyzed, and used to generate detailed reports, aiding in maintenance planning and historical records.

7. Minimal Disruption

Operational Continuity: Drones cause minimal disruption to the building’s occupants and ongoing operations during inspections.
Low Environmental Impact: Drones are quiet and have a small physical footprint, reducing environmental impact compared to traditional inspection methods.

8. Regulatory and Compliance Benefits

Accurate Documentation: Detailed visual and sensor data from drones help ensure thorough documentation, which is crucial for regulatory compliance and insurance purposes.
Consistency and Repeatability: Drone inspections provide consistent and repeatable data, important for maintaining compliance with industry standards.

9. Enhanced Analytical Capabilities

Automated Flight Paths: Drones can be programmed to follow specific flight paths, ensuring consistent and comprehensive coverage of the inspection area.
Integration with AI: Advanced analysis tools and artificial intelligence can process drone data to detect patterns, predict maintenance needs, and automate defect identification.

Specific Benefits for Roofs and Chimneys

Detailed Inspection of Surface and Structure: Drones can capture high-resolution images that reveal the condition of shingles, tiles, flashing, and chimney stacks.
Thermal Imaging: Thermal cameras can identify heat leaks, insulation issues, and areas of moisture intrusion in roofs and chimneys.
Historical and Fragile Structures: Drones provide a non-invasive method to inspect historical or delicate structures without causing damage.

Conclusion

The use of drones transforms the way building surveyors conduct roof and chimney inspections by enhancing safety, efficiency, data quality, and cost-effectiveness. Their ability to provide high-resolution imagery, access hard-to-reach areas, and deliver real-time data makes them an invaluable tool in modern building surveying practices.