Ditch the Ladder for Safe Roof Inspections by Drone
April showers bring May flowers — and by June…roof damage!
A roof inspection is something that every property owner will have to do at one point or another, including for assessing the value of a property, estimating repair costs, determining the level of wear-and-tear over time, or assessing damage after natural disasters for insurance claims.
And because inspections are done visually, a drone can be safer and save time and money. Drones can capture areas that would otherwise be inaccessible and get crisp up-close footage beyond what the eye can see. While climbing a ladder to the roof may be unavoidable for repairs, sending a drone up first can limit your risk. And it can help you (if you are doing a DIY project) or your roofer plan-ahead for tools and materials that may be needed.
The type of roof matters.
So what needs to be checked when it’s been a few years, or you’re worried it might start raining in your living room? Roof inspections involve looking at different things on different types of roofs.
Specifically, a roof inspection will check for:
- On wood roofs: Water damage, mold, clogged gutters, and assessing any deterioration of the shingles, chimney, soffit, and fascia
- On metal roofs: Loose seams, damaged flashing, and rust
- On fiberglass roofs: Cracks and other structural damage
Saved time. Reduced costs. Better safety.
Drones save time:
With all the people involved, the mounting, planning, climbing and inspection itself, traditional roof inspections can take hours. Drone roof inspections can start almost as soon as the team arrives, and the footage captured can be transmitted and inspected in real-time. While the length of a drone inspection can vary, depending on the level of detail and variety of concerns, you can expect it to take about 30-45 minutes.
And you will get a copy of the film to see things for yourself!
Drones reduce costs:
Drones keeping people on the ground means there is less insurance and regulations required for the workers. And because fewer people are needed to complete the inspection, there are fewer people needed to employ. Together, it means saved money both for the contractor and the property owner.
Drones keep people safe:
More importantly, it helps keep inspectors and contractors safe by keeping them on the ground unless there is something that requires them to go up. Roof inspections have inherent dangers to them, as the inspector must climb up ladders that may be on unstable ground, and work from high off the ground, often on the edge of a tall building.
“Drones can look at visual condition of the roof and gives you the ability to inspect a roof from the ground level; then, if there’s something that draws attention—a contractor can go up only if needed,” Mark says.
Ready to explore roof inspection opportunities with your drone?
RBS Drone Technologies can help with roof inspections in two key ways:
- Hire RBS Drone Technologies to do your roof inspection.
- Train to get your commercial drone pilot license. If reading this article has you thinking “This sounds like a great business idea for an entrepreneur,” then contact RBS Drone Technologies to schedule training. We are now offering one-on-one training to honor social distancing recommendations. The good news is, that with one-on-one, we can also schedule the training for the time and location (serving Chicagoland and northern Indiana) that suits you.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection, or to learn more about how we can help you train for your FAA Part 107 pilot certification and get your drone operator career off the ground.
